By Grace Brennan Derbyshire

Throughout the month of September, artists from MDM Recordings, an independent country record label, are presenting Apologetically Canadian: The Artists of MDM. On Wednesday, the artists, Jess Moskaluke, Tyler Joe Miller, Don Amero, and the duo Five Roses shared the stage in London’s St Pancras Old Church, which is one of the oldest churches in London. The venue, unique in its own right, was seated to capacity, with some guests standing in the back to watch the show.

Miller kicked off the night, singing his upbeat country-pop track “Shoulda Known Better,” brining attention to his distinctive voice, which features a subtle twang. Miller was followed by Five Roses, a Quebec duo consisting of Jade Godin and Zach Ouimet, performing their classic-pop country inspired track about being an inseparable pair “Partner in Crime.” Might just have been me, but the duo quickly reminded me of Sugarland, almost forgetting their unique French-Canadian roots when they sang. Amero performed his hit “Wasn’t the Dress,” about being attracted to someone for what is on the inside with a clear and emotive delivery.

To finish the round, Moskaluke sang her edgy and spirited song “Knock Off,” which is about an ex moving on with someone who looks similar to her. Moskaluke later mentioned the iconic Canadian-country artist Shania Twain was an inspiration to her and it became clear during her delivery of powerful ballads with joyful rhythms and emotionally-charged lyrics.

Before performing songs, each artist made a point to address the crowd, telling the story behind a song, whether they wrote it or cut it. They provided their insights into the Canadian-country music industry, sharing how songs are pitched to various artists in and outside of Nashville before they land on their desk. Often, it was obvious that the catchy and upbeat songs were cut and not written (or at least solely written) by the performing artist. American country cliche’s and references were the center of quiet a few songs, with little to no reference to Canada in the lyrics. However, it demonstrated the label’s close ties to Nashville’s most influential songwriters, who have helped these artists gain international attention.

For example, Miller shared how “Wild as Her” was pitched to him. The song was co-written by country superstar Morgan Wallen and the demo he listened to featured Wallen’s vocals. While the song gained attention in Canada, it was also later recorded by American country singer Corey Kent, who led it to chart on the Billboard Hot Country Charts. Miller joked about how one time a listener shared that she liked his cover of Kent’s track. Although a funny and vulnerable story to share, one could easily see a greater message behind the interaction. Despite the artists’ ability to get personal with the crowd when speaking, the songs they sung lacked the same authenticity, which listeners nowadays appreciate and remember.

During the fourth and last round, each artist played the song they credited for changing their career’s trajectory. Miller played his debut single, the post breakup country-rock hit, “Pillow Talkin'” and Five Roses sang in harmony to their love song “Might As Well Be Me.” When Amero took the mic, he played his hopeful song about finding solace in different locations, “Church.” For Moskaluke, she showcased her voice’s strong range while singing the pop-country hit “Cheap Wine and Cigarettes,” which speaks of an unhealthy, yet hard to quit, relationship. The group ended the night on a high note (with the audience joining in) and played a joint cover of Twain’s “Man! I Feel Like a Woman.”

Throughout the night, all artists took time to genuinely thank the crowd for showing up. It was true, the weather was less than ideal, with heavy rains and winds throughout the day, and a large part of the audience showed up without knowing any of the artists when Miller asked the crowd. However, it was clear that the crowd, as well as the artists, were excited to see the genre of country music making its way to the UK. .