>> Sound Off! 2008Battle of the Underage Bands
For the seventh year EMP|SFM hosts Sound Off!, the Northwest's largest underage battle of the bands competition for musicians 21 and under. 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.
A launching pad for musical careers, Sound Off! has enjoyed hosting many young up-and-coming bands over the years including Schoolyard Heroes, Idiot Pilot, Mon Frere, The Lonely H, Dyme Def, Capitol Basement, The Lonely Forest and Natalie Portman's Shaved Head. We are excited to announce the newest group of Sound Off! bands that will join the ranks of these luminary groups. From hip hop and horror-surf to metal and whisper-core, this year's semi-finalists take a page from all musical genres.
Sound Off! on Comcast On Demand
New this year, EMP|SFM and Comcast have partnered to bring all of the Sound Off! concerts to Comcast On Demand. Miss one of the shows? Now you can view them at home! All Comcast Digital Cable customers in Western Washington will be able to access the streaming videos. New content will be posted each Saturday during Sound Off! featuring the previous week's performances. To access Sound Off! on Comcast On Demand, follow these steps:
- Go to Channel 1
- Select the Get Local folder
- Select the Around the Sound folder
- Select the Sound Off! folder
Congratulations to New Faces -- Sound Off! 2008 Winners
New Faces, Port Townsend, WA
New Faces is a blissful jumble of 70s rock, 80s pop and today's indie. With influences ranging from David Bowie and Joy Division to The Smiths and Franz Ferdinand, New Faces crafts catchy songs with depth. Nico Janssen's tremendous vocals are showcased by the band's gifted musicianship.
Listen to New Faces:
"Ms. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang"
Web: Myspace page >>
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Coming in second place was The Nextdoor Neighbors
The Nextdoor Neighbors, Olympia, WA and Seattle, WA
The Nextdoor Neighbors, an electronic-folk-hop duo, combine smart beats with poetic lyrics to create danceable, poignant songs.
Listen to The Nextdoor Neighbors:
"Cultural Revolution"
Web: Myspace page >>
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Third place finisher was Man Down Medic
Man Down Medic, Seattle, WA and Tacoma, WA
Man Down Medic has assembled a talented indie rock band that can take on any music genre. With three classically trained string players, a prolific jazz pianist and a drummer with experience in several genres, Man Down Medic emphasizes its splendid musical talent with equally engaging harmonies and lyrics.
Listen to Man Down Medic:
"Extra Extra"
Web: Myspace page >>
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2008 Sound Off! Semifinalists
The Batteries, Carnation, WA
Semifinals #1 Audience Response Prize Winner
Mix a David Lynch movie with a Phillip Glass score performed by the Kronos Quartet and The Murder City Devils, an organist and a guitar player that can hang with Dick Dale and you'll get The Batteries, a horror-surf five-piece band out of Carnation, Wash.
Listen to The Batteries:
"Put Your Face On!"
Web: Myspace page >>
Click on thumbnail for a larger image:
The Dead Are Judged, Marysville, WA
Armed with a vocalist who belts guttural growls one second and transforms into a melodic rock star the next, The Dead Are Judged is a tight band that breathes originality into the metal genre.
Listen to The Dead Are Judged:
"Kill Me"
Web: Myspace page >>
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SouthGate, Pendleton, OR
Drawing inspiration from Metallica and Lamb of God and classical composers Mozart and Handel, SouthGate's growling vocals and fast-paced rhythms deliver a true metal experience.
Listen to SouthGate:
"Universal Conspiracy"
Web: Myspace page >>
Click on thumbnail for a larger image:
Pat Goodwin, Seattle, WA
Semifinals #2 Audience Response Prize Winner
Pat Goodwin is a self-taught singer-songwriter with serious musical chops. Reminiscent of Elton John and Ben Folds, Goodwin performs with Ryan Kim (bass/vocals) and Alessandro Decarro (drums) in concert.
Listen to Pat Goodwin:
"For A Sailor"
Web: Myspace page >>
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KnowMads, Seattle, WA
With hip hop influences like Tupac, OutKast and Seattle's own Blue Scholars, it's no wonder KnowMads are making a name in the 206 as witty rhymers. KnowMads blend classy hip hop beats with meaningful lyrics that resonate with today's youth.
Listen to KnowMads:
"Home"
Web: Myspace page >>
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Scribes, Seattle, WA
Scribes matches soul and funk-infused beats with a jazz sensibility, making his sound incredibly smooth. Influenced by Marvin Gaye, Nas and The Notorious B.I.G., Scribes raps about society's issues.
Listen to Scribes:
"Soully"
Web: Myspace page >>
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Shotty, Kirkland, WA
Semifinals #3 Audience Response Prize Winner
A five-piece rock band from Kirkland, Wash., Shotty takes a page from every chapter in the "rock 'n' roll manual." Shotty's music and high-energy rock shows are influenced by the likes of The Mars Volta, Queen and Led Zeppelin.
Listen to Shotty:
"Emporer X"
Web: Myspace page >>
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Deer City, Issaquah, WA
Deer City is a one-man electronic/lounge/pop act hailing from Issaquah, Wash. With nicely layered beats and whispery vocals reminiscent of Sufjan Stevens, Deer City's Jeff Stillwell brings a fresh sound to the genre.
Listen to Deer City:
"Austrian Empire"
Web: Myspace page >>
Click on thumbnail for a larger image:
Kusikia, Tacoma, WA
Kusikia (pronounced koo-see-kee-ah) a duo from the University of Puget Sound, combines whisper-core vocals with experimental and unconventional instrumentation. Kusikia transcends what could be lacking in a duo, and creates something truly unique.
Listen to Kusikia:
"Inconnu"
Web: Myspace page >>
Click on thumbnail for a larger image:
Sound Off Competition Prizes
Additional prizes may be announced
First Place Winner Prizes
- Performance at Bumbershoot 2008
- Live on-air performance on KEXP's Audioasis
- Performance at the Gibson Seattle Showroom
- Production of one song by producer Glenn Lorbecki
- $600 gift certificate for studio time at Soundhouse Studio
Shure microphones
- From Gibson: Les Paul Double Cut and an Epiphone Valve Junior amp
- Industry Consultation from the Recording Academy
Second Place Winner Prizes
- Performance at Northwest Folklife 2008
- Live on-air performance on 1077 The End's The Young & The Restless
- 2 Days Studio Time at Orbit Audio Studio
- Shure microphones
- From Gibson: Epiphone Sheraton II.
- Industry Consultation from the Recording Academy
Third Place Winner Prizes
- 2 Days Studio Time at the Redmond Firehouse studio
- Shure microphones
- From Gibson: Kramer Vanguard FR-440
- Industry Consultation from the Recording Academy
Semifinals Audience Response Prize
Finals Audience Response Prize
- 2 Days studio time at The Vera Project
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 90.3, Bumbershoot, Gibson, The Stranger, Northwest Folklife, Glenn Sound Studio, Soundhouse Rcording, Orbit Audio, The Vera Project, The Old Firehouse Teen Center, Donn Bennett Drum Studio and Sub Pop.
