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>> Sound Off 2010!

Battle of the Underage Bands

Congratulations to Great Waves, winner of Sound Off 2010!

Coming in 2nd place was Hooves and Beak.

3rd place went to Candysound, and SEACATS were the 4th place band.

Jump to:
Saturday, March 6: Finals >>

For the ninth 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, New Faces, The Lonely Forest, Dyme Def, The Lonely H, Sol, 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.

Saturday, March 6: Finals

The winning bands from the three semifinal rounds plus the "wild card" band, selected by the Youth Advisory Board, battle it out for first place.

Great Waves

Hooves and Beak

Candysound

SEACATS

Saturday, February 13: Semifinals #1

Candysound, Burlington, WA

Winner in round 1

A Bellingham-based guitar/drum duo, Candysound's songs are rife with super-catchy melodies and carefully crafted pop rock hooks. Tom Fitzgibbon's shuffling drum beats are a perfect match for Teo Crider's jangly guitar and charmingly subtle vocals.

"I'll Drive Forever"
Web: www.myspace.com/candysoundmusic

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Sea Fever, Seattle, WA

Second place and audience response winner in round 1

Hailing from Seattle, five piece acoustic rockers Sea Fever infuse their melody driven songs with bows, bells and harmonies from the heavens. Gallantly displaying their musical craft, their stories mix in passion with wistful longing, heartfelt notes and top it all off with a touch of folk pop prowess.

"Sibling Rivalry"
Web: www.myspace.com/weareseafever

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(Sui-Generis), Kennewick, WA

This genre twisting Kennewick Wash. quartet produces epic character-based songs which highlight an extreme variety of musical influences. Led by vocalist/guitarist James Garner, (Sui-Generis) veer wildly from raging metal to Eastern-influenced carnival rock - sometimes within the same song.

"The Phantom"
Web: www.myspace.com/suigenerissuigeneris

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Apache Chief, Tacoma, WA

Influenced by garage rock, post hardcore and noise, Apache Chief is already known in their hometown of Tacoma for raucous gigs and unorthodox use of guitar pickups and reverb tanks. Seeped in the dirty lo-fi of the Stooges, this trio brutally rips through sets at top speed leaving the audience decimated and wanting more.

"I'm Trash"
Web: www.myspace.com/peyotenightmare

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Saturday, February 20: Semifinals #2

Hooves and Beak, Seattle, WA

Winner in round 2

Self-taught harpist Whitney Flinn invites you into a whimsically layered world filled with striking harp melodies and personal lyrics reminiscent of Joanna Newsom. Having recently relocated from Kansas to the Northwest, Flinn has adopted a unique style of musicianship that is candid and selfless.

"Doorman's Song"
Web: www.myspace.com/whitneyflinn

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Pan Pan, Bellingham, WA

Second place in round 2

Pan Pan is the solo project of Bellingham, Wash multi-instrumentalist Sarah Jerns. Jerns formulates calculated piano and trumpet driven progressive classical and jazz pop songs that has been compared to the likes of Beirut and Yann Tiersen.

"Water Buffalo Run"
Web: www.myspace.com/thepanpan

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The Cat from Hue, Camano Island, WA

Audience response winner in round 2

The Cat From Hue are a clever and instrumentally varied band whose songs coast effortlessly through introspective landscapes of narrative songwriting. With radiant guitars and subtly haunting vocals, this Camano Island, Wash. quintet has created an indie folk sound that is decidedly original.

"As My Friend Would Say "
Web: www.myspace.com/catfromhue

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A Cozy Kitchen, Bellingham, WA

Reverb-drenched Bellingham trio, A Cozy Kitchen creates a compelling blend of indie folk that takes you back to a simpler time of washboards and hand-crank radios. With acoustic guitars, drums and assorted electronic noises, Cody Madison, Kyle Gootkin and Drew Miller fashion thoughtfully simplistic lo-fi folk.

"I Can Not Read"
Web: www.myspace.com/acozykitchen

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Saturday, February 27: Semifinals #3

Great Waves, Sammamish, WA

Led by the dreamy and enchanting vocal styling of troubadour Ashley Bullock, Great Waves captivate with narratives that evoke all senses ranging from sadness, despair and hope. Armed with a cavalcade of influences including bluegrass, folk and alt-rock, these Sammamish, Wash natives pierce through the smoky air with bracing melodies, soft hums of violin and purposeful rhythms.

"Konza Plains"
Web: great-waves.com

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SEACATS, Kelso, WA

Formed in a shed in Kelso WA, SEACATS are an uncompromisingly catchy rock quintet. Creating the perfect pop concoction of surf guitars, hand claps, and Ba Ba Ba Ba's, their endearing songs are backed by upbeat percussion and a relentless sneer. Weezer hasn't made a good record in years; SEACATS are here to claim the title of the kings of pop rock.

"We Don't Sleep"
Web: myspace.com/seacatsband

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Subtle Like a T-Rex, Port Coquitlam, BC

Not sure which genre best describes your emotional state? Think that a two-minute song is simply not long enough? Do you prefer bands that cut out the singing and head straight for the rocking? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then Subtle Like a T-Rex is the band for you. This 4-piece progressive rock outfit from Port Coquitlam, BC combines elements from Mr. Bungle and Tortoise and prove that nothing about them is subtle.

"Something Cool"
Web: myspace.com/subtlelikeatrexmusic

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Us on Roofs, Seattle, WA

With song titles like "Dreams of Trees" and "Stones in the River" it's clear why Gig Harbor's Us on Roofs cite poet Robert Frost as an influence. Combining melodic guitar riffs, superior songwriting, and sincere vocals, this band skillfully translates naturalist themes into catchy indie rock that is both refreshing and quintessentially Northwest.

"Dreams of Trees"
Web: myspace.com/brianfishermusic

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Tickets
Tickets go on sale January 18 for EMP|SFM members and January 21 for the general public and can be purchased at the EMP|SFM box office either in person or by calling 206-770-2702.  Tickets are $10 for the general public, $7 for students or EMP|SFM members. Doors are 7:00 pm, shows start at 8:00 pm.
Competition Prizes*

Audience Response Prize
KORG Kaossillator, a palm-sized dynamic phrase synthesizer
KORG Mini-KP, a robust dynamic effects processor with ton of pro features

1st Place Winners Prize:
Performance at Bumbershoot 2010
Live on-air performance on 1077 The End's Locals Only
2 days of studio time (including space use and engineer) at Orbit Audio
Production of one song by producer Glenn Lorbecki of Glenn Sound Studio
KORG equipment
Epiphone gear
Industry consultation from the Recording Academy
One song featured for sale in Rock Band through the Rock Band Network, the new suite of tools allowing bands to plug their original songs into the Rock Band game

2nd Place Winners Prize:
Performance at Northwest Folklife Festival 2010
2 days of studio time at London Bridge Studio
KORG equipment
Epiphone gear
Industry consultation from the Recording Academy
Rock Band 2 bundle, containing a guitar, drum set, microphone and game software

3rd Place Winners Prize:

Performance at the Hard Rock Café Seattle, band will be opening for a national touring act
2 days studio time at the Vera Project studio
KORG equipment (details to be determined)
Epiphone gear
Industry consultation from the Recording Academy
Rock Band 2 bundle, containing: guitar, drum set, microphone & game software

4th Place Winners Prize:
2 Days studio time at the Redmond Old Firehouse studio
KORG equipment
Epiphone gear
Industry consultation from the Recording Academy
Rock Band 2 bundle, containing: guitar, drum set, microphone & game software

*Competition prizes are subject to change. Additional prizes will be announced

Want more Sound Off! info?
Join thesoundboard.ning.com!

The Soundboard is devoted to the NW's all-ages music/arts scene. Connect with other creative types. Get insider tips on applying to Sound Off! And, win rad prizes, too.
Sound Off! 2010 is sponsored by 107.7 The End, KEXP 90.3, Bumbershoot, Northwest Folklife Festival and Epiphone.

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