The Results Are In And We’re Ecstatic!
Over the past few months, ten standout independent artists have poured their hearts into our very first Caster Emerge contest, competing for a game-changing prize. From promoting their releases and tracking engagement to monitoring radio airplay, their drive and dedication has left us in awe.
After much deliberation, our incredible team of industry reps has selected two outstanding winners. We’re beyond thrilled to award each of them with the grand prize: one full year of FREE music promotion through Caster, and real-time radio tracking through MTR.
These artists didn’t just submit their music, they fully showed up. Through consistent self-promotion, thoughtful campaign execution, and a clear hunger to grow, they’ve proven that they’re ready for the next step. We’re proud to support them in reaching even wider audiences and building stronger connections within the industry.
Get to know our amazing contest winners below – we promise you’ll be seeing a lot more of them soon…
🇨🇦 Anna Katarina – Canada Winner
BC-based singer-songwriter Anna Katarina delivers a magnetic blend of indie pop, rock, and soul—think Laurel Canyon meets ’90s FM. Her voice is both powerful and intimate, breathing life into hook-heavy tracks that feel both timeless and brand new.
Named one of Canada’s most exciting emerging artists by Exclaim! Magazine, Anna’s momentum is undeniable. With high-profile performances at NXNE (Toronto), Woodstove Festival (BC), Sand & Strings (Mexico), and Your Roots Are Showing (Ireland)—plus sold-out shows alongside Shawn Hook and Said The Whale—she’s quickly making her mark. This year, she’s set to continue that momentum with upcoming sets at BreakOut West and more stops along the festival circuit.
With a loyal following overseas (especially in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland) Anna tours internationally twice a year, steadily expanding her global reach. Her upcoming sophomore album, While I Was Dreaming (October 2025), promises rich, retro-tinged soundscapes and raw, reflective songwriting that explores the beauty and contradictions of modern life.
Anna’s single “Riptide” captured the hearts of our team and guest judge & radio expert (the one and only) WHOOOSH! (Sirius XM) co-host Katy Krassner, resulting in her being selected as the Wildcard pick back in March! Way to go, Anna Katarina!
Looking back on her progress with Caster, Anna shared her thoughts on what this accomplishment means to her:
“Winning the Caster Emerge Canada Contest is such meaningful encouragement as I prepare to release my new album, While I Was Dreaming. Knowing that so many programmers connected with the album’s first single, Riptide, is proof that my music has a home on North American radio and will reach the ears of many listeners across the US, Canada, and beyond!”
🇺🇸 Dualidy – U.S. Winner
Every once in a while, an artist comes along who instantly carves out a space of their own. That’s exactly what Stephen Dewane, better known as Dualidy, has done with his refreshing take on spiritual soul. Raised in the Deep South by both grandmothers, Dewane grew up surrounded by gospel, soul, blues, and R&B classics. But it was his mother’s introduction to neo-soul that flipped the switch:
“For the first time I actually saw myself in the music instead of just simply admiring it,” he says.
Dewane honed his voice through poems, short stories, and lyrics before stepping into the spotlight. His debut singles show just how wide his creative range is. Whether it’s the fluid, feel-good energy of “Generation” and “Glo Girl”, or the soul-baring vulnerability of “Dear Lord.” With a one-of-a-kind voice and sharp pen, Dewane is just beginning to show the depths of his artistry. Above all, Dewane hopes his music inspires listeners to love deeper. Spirituality, self-exploration, and emotional connection are the cornerstones.
“I love to make women feel sexy, seen, heard, and understood,” he says. “But I also feel a responsibility to represent the modern man of God—with masculinity that’s rooted in genuine love, protection, obedience, and grace.”
Reflecting on his Caster journey so far, he shared:
“With many of my spins coming from the tremendous support of a single station (WUSM)—it reminded me that the quality of your fans matters more than the quantity. Radio helps you find the listeners who really believe.”
His track “Glo Girl” captivated the Play MPE team and resonated deeply with radio station programmers. Kudos, Dualidy!
What’s Next?
Over the next year, Anna Katarina and Dualidy will each release and promote three new singles through Caster, with airplay tracked in real time across the U.S. and Canada using MTR. We can’t wait to watch their careers level-up through these promotion efforts!
We want to extend a huge thank you to all ten finalists who joined us for the debut of our artist incubator. Caster Emerge is just getting started and we’re already looking forward to future contests. Stay tuned.
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