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TORONTO – Montreal-based singer/songwriter Alejandra Ribera has won the SOCAN Songwriting Prize.

Ribera won for her airy tune “I Want,” which was included on her second album “La Boca.”

The multilingual songwriter receives $5,000, a Gibson acoustic guitar and a prize pack from Roland.

She beat out a field of nominees that included Louise Burns’ “Emeralds Shatter,” Wake Owl’s “Gold,” July Talk’s “Having You Around” and “Reservoir” by Pup.

The French SOCAN Songwriting Prize, meanwhile, was awarded to Patrice Michaud for his song “Mécaniques générales.”

SOCAN, which stands for the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada, selected the winners via an online vote.

“‘I Want’ is a song about hope, joy and gratitude, and I feel all of those very deeply in receiving this honour from SOCAN,” Ribera said in a statement. “I was so happy just to be nominated and am indebted to those who celebrated my nomination and supported ‘I Want.’”

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