Two musicians vying for this year’s PNE Star Showdown crown are both guitarists, semifinalists and residents of Richmond.
But the similarities end there.
Gio Levy, 26, and Pierre Camba, 17, have arrived at a similar juncture — albeit in separate age divisions. At stake: $10,000 in prizing, plus more than $22,000 in New Image College scholarships.
“I need to win this competition,” says Levy.
“I want to travel,” adds the cheerful singer-songwriter/customer service representative at Ashton Service Group.
Levy, a contender in the adult division, expressed shock and delight at his entry into the semifinals of the province-wide competition that nets throngs of musical hopefuls. A throng now cut down to just 30 contestants.
His entry into the Showdown consisted of a simple iPhone video of his self-written tune, You Can Never Say No.
The track, a rhythm and blues-styled piece featuring soft, mellow notes, could easily be mistaken for a chart-topping tune heard on the radio.
“I try to make music that’s catchy,” he says, but is quick to mention his band mates, Christopher Wong, 18, Samuel Kim, 19, and Rob Phillips, 24.
The band, one Levy started in high school, has no name.
“I guess it’s ‘Gio’s Band,’” he states, laughing.
“I started playing the guitar 10 years ago,” says Levy, “and I joined a school choir when I was 14.”
Fast-forward some years and it’s evident practice has paid off. Levy has written several of his own songs, a handful of which he’s listed and sold on iTunes and as self-published CDs.
Turning to the younger Camba, the story is slightly different.
A Grade 12 student at Hugh Boyd secondary, Camba admits he is a self-taught musician who began playing the guitar when he was in Grade 6.
“I was inspired to play because of my uncle, Ryan Balajadia. He taught me fingerstyle as well as harmonics and hammering.”
While these elements may sound odd, Camba’s Phunkdified track displays a clear example of this style — melodic and memorable.
But Camba, a newcomer to Canada, having moved here with his family from the Philippines just over a year and a half ago, admits something exceptional. He can’t read sheet music.
Camba says he just listens to a beat, memorizes it and begins to play, the touch of a natural artist.
He says he would like to pursue writing his own music, but isn’t at that stage just yet. Covers and freestyle harmonies are his current mainstay.
For the future, the 17-year-old, non-singing guitarist says it’s either music or aviation.
“I may pursue writing and making music, but if not, my dream is to be a pilot. Military or airline.”
You can catch Camba and the rest of the youth division semifinalists on Aug. 17.
On Aug. 19, the adult division semifinalists are up, which will include Levy and nine other contestants.
The kids division will perform on Aug. 16.
The three winners from each category will compete in the finals on Wednesday, Aug. 20. All shows will run from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Fair at the PNE, on the Chevrolet Performance Stage.
