The Ottawa Rock Lottery is back, featuring dozens of Ottawa musicians randomly thrown together to see what kind of musical creations they can come up with.

Through a draw, 25 musicians will create five bands and will then have just 24 hours to come up with a set of all-original music. And, as organizer Samantha Everts explains, the bands will have another fun and interesting new challenge this year.

“Each band will be assigned a random instrument to incorporate into their set,” she says. “They don’t know what they’re going to get yet, but we definitely dug out an accordion to see what happens.”

The whole point of the Ottawa Rock Lottery, Everts explains, is to try to unite the local music scene.

“We connect musicians and artists to a larger audience and offer them the chance to make new connections and potential friendships that can take their career to the next level,” she says.  It’s a concept local bands are definitely keen on.

“We felt honoured to be asked to participate,” says Colin MacDougal of electro-pop band Fevers. “I can’t wait to hear the results of all the different collaborations.”  Drummer and Ottawa Rock Lottery participant Andrew Hunt of electro-rockers Fire & Neon agrees.

“It’s always interesting to combine musical genres and skill sets to see what each band will create,” Hunt says. This is the third year that drummer Mike Laing of indie pop-rock group The Love Machine has participated in the lottery.

“I love having the opportunity to play with new and different musicians,” says Laing. “I feel you really grow as an artist through this experience.”

First time participant Nicholas Pouponneau of alt-rap outfit Zoo Legacy is also looking forward to participating “It’s a great chance for Ottawa’s talent to come together. The energy is going to be outlandish,” Pouponneau enthuses.

Like his fellow participants, Brad Sheffield of indie folk-rock band Loon Choir is eager for the event to get underway. “Meeting like-minded people who are equally engrossed in the Ottawa music scene is what we are looking forward to,” says Sheffield, who calls the lottery “the ultimate celebration of this community.”

Details

Fourth Ottawa Rock Lottery

•    When: Saturday, May 19 at 7 p.m.
•    Where: Mavericks (221 Rideau St.)
•    Price: $10 at the door or $9 with a food donation
•    Price: $10 at the door or $9 with a food donation
•    All proceeds will be donated to the Ottawa Food Bank.