Dorchester’s Freya Milliken goes for it in CBC Searchlight contest

Dorchester-based musician and student Freya Milliken. Photo: contributed

Freya Milliken recently returned home to Dorchester after a semester studying at Acadia University in Wolfville. The musician has big plans for the summer, including a possible album in the works. CHMA caught up with Milliken late last week by phone, to talk about her plans, and her song Take A Chance, which is currently vying for a spot in CBC’s Searchlight contest.

Take a Chance is one of the 2500 entries in CBC’s Searchlight contest, vying for a spot in the top 100 right now.

Fifty spots in the top 100 will be chosen by internet voting which is underway from now until Thursday, May 20. To support Milliken, or any other Canadian musician in their shot at the Searchlight grand prize, go to the CBC Searchlight page and cast a vote. You can vote once a day until the contest closes on May 20.

Milliken says CBC Searchlight is an opportunity she didn’t want to pass up. “I’ve always kind of wanted to get myself out there,” says Milliken. “And I’ve definitely gained a lot more confidence, and I thought, this could be an opportunity of a lifetime, and I should just go for it.”

Milliken says her plans this summer include doing some recording for a possible new album, and working at the St. James Textile Museum in Dorchester, weaving tea towels on antique looms.

The pandemic has not been a particularly fruitful creative time for Milliken, though she has managed to write some songs despite the “sluggish, un-inspirational” time.

“I definitely went through periods of time where I just wasn’t feeling any creative flow at all,” says Milliken. “It’s hard to feel inspired when you’re not experiencing life. You know, experiencing life the way a young person should.”

Milliken says her song Take A Chance is a summer, feel-good song, inspired by a love interest. “The song is kind of about encouraging someone you like to take a chance… You know, don’t be so shy and just have some fun.”

Share:

We believe in the importance of providing independent local journalism to Sackville and the surrounding area. Please consider supporting our local stories, reporting and interviews by becoming a monthly sustainer or by making a one-time donation.

Never miss a story.
Get CHMA's local news,
stories and interviews in your inbox.

CHMA catches up with Dorchester musician and student Freya Milliken to talk about her plans, and her song Take A Chance, which is currently vying for a spot in CBC’s Searchlight contest.