A dream that once seemed impossible could be within reach for Talk, the singer-songwriter from Stittsville whose real name is Nick Durocher.
The 30-year-old Run Away To Mars singer is one of the five finalists vying for the honour of representing the country in Canada’s debut at Eurovision 2027, the world’s biggest music competition. It takes place May 11-15 in Burgas, Bulgaria.
The other contenders, chosen by a panel of music-industry professionals, are Quebec showman William Cloutier, Acadian songstress Josiane, dance-pop artist Rêve and pop-rocker Tyler Shaw, who was born in British Columbia, but currently makes his home in Ottawa.
They’re all talented, but Durocher feels he has the edge. After all, he’s been following the contest since he was a music-loving teenager who discovered it was free to watch on YouTube.
What first captivated him was the 2010 entry from Moldova, a soaring, upbeat anthem called Runaway by a band known as Sunstroke Project. “It’s an incredible song that’s kind of become an Internet classic over the years, and I was just hooked (on Eurovision) after I heard it,” Durocher said in an interview.
“Our group of friends, we watch it every year, and it’s become the dream to go. As soon as we heard whispers of Canadian involvement, we were super-excited and publicly put ourselves out there to represent.”
The verdict on which one of the finalists will travel to Bulgaria to compete next year is in the hands of Canadians, who ar e invited to vote daily for their favourite candidate b y Nov. 5. The winner will be revealed in December.
Durocher is positive he’s the act for the gig, partly because he’s been taking notes on it for so long. He believes he has a sense of what the judges like, and it’s not always an electro-laden dance tune.
“The artists that always do the best are the ones doing something true to themselves,” he said. “That’s something I specialize in.”
Indeed. Talk is a unique artist with a powerhouse voice and a knack for a hook, not to mention a flair for self-expression. His 2021 breakthrough hit, Run Away To Mars, was written in his parents’ Stittsville basement during COVID-19 lockdowns and while Durocher was in a funk. It struck a chord with listeners around the world who were feeling isolated, too.
Also distinctive is Talk’s anything-goes style, up to and including makeup and hair colour. The star is known for his extravagant outfits, such as the space-wrestling superhero look he wore to the Eurovision announcement in Toronto.
Durocher and his fiancee, a costume designer, have a few more eye-popping outfits planned for Eurovision, in addition to some new music. He’s working with a songwriting partner on material to take to Bulgaria and meeting with Canadians who have participated in the contest in the past with teams representing other countries.
“I’ve pieced together the team that would come with me, and I’m really confident in the people that we have,” he said. “I’m confident in what I need to expect from myself, and I’m ready to put my soul into representing Canada.
“I feel I have the edge on preparedness, and I’m planning on winning.”
Whether or not Talk goes to Eurovision, 2027 is shaping up to be a landmark year for the Juno Award winner. A new rock-opera concept album called The Ballad of Ozzy Moon has been recorded and is due for release in January. Produced by Canadian hitmaker Joey Moi, it “definitely my most ambitious creative piece,” Talk says.
There’s a wedding in Talk’s future, too. He and longtime girlfriend, Toronto-based Murphy MacDonald-Rea, are plotting a special-occasion wedding filled with guests in costumes instead of formal wear.
Also on the horizon is a short string of Canadian tour dates to close out 2026, including a show at History Ottawa on Dec. 12. Talk can’t wait to check out the new hometown venue, visit family and get his fill of poutine.
“The poutine in Toronto is horrible,” he said, not trying to hide his disdain. “I’ve been dying to try Golden Fries in Orléans. I’ve heard they have the best poutine in Ottawa, and I’m really looking forward to that.”
Lynn Saxberg is the arts reporter at the Ottawa Citizen. For years she has been covering music festivals like Bluesfest, performances at the National Arts Centre and Canadian Tire Centre, as well as art exhibitions, comedy shows, the club scene and more. Sign up to receive weekly updates from Lynn Saxberg
