Ottawa's Talk among five finalists for Canada's Eurovision 2027 entry

Talk, the Stittsville singer-songwriter whose real name is Nick Durocher, is one of five finalists vying to represent Canada at Eurovision 2027, the country's first appearance in the contest. The Ottawa Citizen reports that the 30-year-old Run Away To Mars singer will compete for the slot with four other acts. The contest takes place 11-15 May in Burgas, Bulgaria.

The decision rests with the public. Canadians can vote daily for their favourite finalist until 5 November, and the winner will be revealed in December.

The five finalists

The finalists were chosen by a panel of music-industry professionals. Alongside Talk, they are Quebec showman William Cloutier, Acadian singer Josiane, dance-pop artist Rêve and pop-rocker Tyler Shaw. Shaw was born in British Columbia but now lives in Ottawa, so two of the five finalists are based in the capital.

Durocher told the Citizen he has followed Eurovision since his teens, when he found it was free to watch on YouTube. What hooked him was Moldova's 2010 entry, Runaway by Sunstroke Project. He and his friends watch the contest every year, and going has become their shared dream. When they first heard that Canada might take part, he said, they publicly put themselves forward.

He believes his years of watching give him a sense of what the judges respond to, and that it is not always an electro-heavy dance track.

“The artists that always do the best are the ones doing something true to themselves.”

Durocher said that is something he specialises in, and that he feels he has the edge on preparedness. “I’m planning on winning,” he said.

Who Talk is

Talk is a Juno Award winner. His breakthrough hit, Run Away To Mars, came out in 2021. He wrote it in his parents' Stittsville basement during the COVID-19 lockdowns, at a time when he was in a funk, and it resonated with listeners around the world who were also isolated. He is known for his elaborate costumes, hair and makeup, including the space-wrestling superhero look he wore to the Eurovision announcement in Toronto.

Durocher and his fiancée, a costume designer, have more outfits planned for Eurovision. He is also working with a songwriting partner on new material for Bulgaria and has been speaking with Canadians who have taken part in the contest with teams representing other countries.

Other work on the calendar

Whatever the vote decides, Talk has a busy stretch ahead. A rock-opera concept album, The Ballad of Ozzy Moon, has been recorded and is due in January. It was produced by Joey Moi, and Talk calls it “definitely my most ambitious creative piece”.

A short run of Canadian dates will close out 2026, including a show at History Ottawa on 12 December. Durocher says he is looking forward to seeing the new venue, visiting family and trying the poutine at Golden Fries in Orléans.

This report draws on reporting by ottawacitizen.com.