>> Sound Off! 2008 old

For the seventh year EMP|SFM hosts Sound Off!, the Northwest's largest underage battle of the bands competition. If you're age 21 or under and play rock, hip-hop, electronic, pop or any other kind of music, this is your chance to Sound Off! at EMP|SFM.

From Portland to Vancouver, young artists playing any and all genres of music have been encouraged to submit their original material for consideration in Sound Off! The competition supports the local underage music scene by giving young artists from all different backgrounds a once in a lifetime opportunity to come together and play their original music in a great all-ages atmosphere.

The live concerts for the next Sound Off! will take place Saturday nights February 9, 16, 23 and March 1, 2008. The competition culminates in a Sky Church show that will pit the winners from each semifinal night in a duel for a number of great prizes. The first place winner of Sound Off! 2008 will get to perform at Bumbershoot 2008.

In addition to receiving the press and recognition traditionally awarded to those who are a part of Sound Off!, the groups selected to participate will learn from industry heavyweights what it takes to have a successful music career post-Sound Off! Competition finalists will also get a personalized consultation to help guide them in their development as artists.

The application deadline for Sound Off! 2008 was Thursday, November 15, 2007. The lineup for the 2008 concerts will be announced by the end of December 2007. If you have any questions concerning the competition, please email us soundoff@empsfm.org or call 206.770.2744.

IMPORTANT NOTE: All participants must be 21 years of age or under.

Selection Process*
A panel of music-industry professionals reviews all the applicants, choosing nine to twelve bands to perform live at EMP|SFM. Bands are scored based on song composition and arrangement, creativity and originality, technical ability and musicianship. Each of the categories is equally weighted. The following are examples of questions the judges may consider when rating bands:

Composition and Arrangement

How sophisticated are the musical arrangement, vocals, lyrics, instrumentation, rhythms and/or technologies used?

Creativity and Originality

Have I heard anything like this before? Is this a sound they have created? Did they take a unique approach to the music?

Technical Ability and Musicianship

Is the band in time and in tune? Are the vocals on key? Is the band proficient with their instruments?

*Band selection criteria subject to change

Want more Sound Off! info? Check out our myspace page at: myspace.com/empsoundoff.

Sound Off! is sponsored by IKEA, Shure, 107.7 The End, KEXP, Bumbershoot, and Gibson.