Caster Emerge March Finalists and Katy Krassner’s Wild Card Pick Announced
Upon Caster Emerge closing submissions this past February 28th, Team Play MPE selected three more finalists and Katy Krassner of Sirius XM’s WHOOOSH! selected her top choice for the Wild Card!
Let’s meet the March finalists who will join the other six in receiving gratis music promotion and radio tracking packages from Play MPE to promote their next single to radio, media and more across North America!
With a diverse range of incredibly talented independent artists spanning an array music genres, Play MPE’s Industry Relations team and Katy Krassner are beyond excited to see how curators react when their releases impact.
All of the finalists’ releases will go live in Play MPE’s Player mid April – so stay tuned for more news from these emerging artists.
And without further adieu, meet our March finalists who officially complete the very first Caster Emerge top ten!
Dualidy (Alternative R&B)
Photo credit: Canon Carter
Singer-Songwriter DUALIDY is breathing new life into Alternative R&B genre with songwriting rooted in themes of love, self-exploration, sexuality, and spirituality. Bringing together a sound that bridges nostalgic vibes with experimental indie influences.
A unique vocal timbre inspired by the likes of greats such as John Legend, John Mayer, Wyclef Jean, and Anderson Paak. Dualidy is poised to push the boundaries of popular music by integrating his vocals into music landscapes with eclectic production comprised of sub-genres one wouldn’t immediatley expect.
Oblivion Boy (Punk Alternative)
Photo credit: Andrew Estey
Oblivion Boy is the solo project of multi instrumentalist Joe Baker. Melding distorted guitar and dance-y rhythms, Oblivion Boy is sure to get you moving! Influenced by The Stooges, Joan Jett and Nine Inch Nails – the works of Oblivion Boy span genres from punk to alternative and more. Joe Baker has played many iconic Vancouver venues including The Biltmore Cabaret, Red Gate, and many more.
Tony Black (Pop House)
Photo credit: Iz Munoz
Tony Black is an electrifying artist whose music fuses the pulsating rhythms of house, irresistible pop hooks, and the soulful essence of hip-hop soul into a fresh, genre-blending sound. With a knack for crafting tracks that hit the dance floor as hard as they tug at the heartstrings. Tony Black is carving out a unique space in the contemporary music scene by delivering high-energy beats with emotional depth. An emerging force ready to leave his mark on the industry.
Anna Katarina (Indie Pop)
Photo credit: Lia Hansen
Anna Katarina has been named one of Canada’s top emerging artists by Exclaim! Blending Indie Pop Rock with Folk and Soul influences, Anna has drawn comparisons to Stevie Nicks and Joni Mitchell. Her evocative storytelling and dynamic production have resonated globally, leading to biannual European tours. In 2024, Anna played festivals in Ireland, Mexico, and Canada, plus sold-out shows with Shawn Hook and Said The Whale. Her sophomore album, While I Was Dreaming (2025), explores lush, retro-infused soundscapes and introspective songwriting, cementing her as a standout voice.
Promote your music to radio like our Caster Emerge finalists
Play MPE received so many impressive song entries during the inaugural round of Caster Emerge, so we want to do something special for all the amazing artists who entered! Stay tuned for your personal invite to a special masterclass and Q&A panel featuring our very own Jordan and Marisol. This will be your chance to get a walk-through all of Play MPE’s tools for music promotion, access & discovery, plus radio tracking! You will also have a chance to ask questions about how to create a promotional release that impacts, which radio formats are right for you, following up with curators and loads more! So start jotting down your Qs.
There may also be a special incentive for those that register and attend – so keep a eye on your inboxes!
If you missed this round and want to get started with promoting and tracking your music right away – feel free to sign up for Caster today and a MTR account will be automatically created for you. To learn about how to maximize your music promotions visit our blog for helpful insights from Katy Krassner and Play MPE’s team of industry pros who have experience in radio promotion, programming and hosting, artist management, record labels, music supervision, sync licensing, and much more!