Experience Music Project’s 10th annual Sound Off! held the first round of its semifinals last Saturday, bringing winner Northern Departure one step closer to the title for the Pacific Northwest’s largest annual underage battle of the bands.
The four-man bluegrass band from Renton will advance to the finals to compete against the upcoming winners of rounds two and three, EMP announced Tuesday. Second place went to Seattle band Tomten, who competes with the other two runner-ups for the wildcard spot in the finals by an EMP’s Youth Advisory Board vote.
The second round is being held this Saturday, February 19 at EMP’s Level 3. Performing will be:
Chinook Jargon – Seattle (indie rock)
Electricity and its Double – Seattle (indie rock)
Fit for Hounds – Seattle (alternative)
Kung Foo Grip – Kirkland (hip hop)
The third round of the semifinals will be held the following Saturday, February 26, also at EMP’s Level 3. Performing will be:
Kids and Animals – Seattle (indie rock)
Land of Pines – Seattle (indie rock)
Micah B. – Federal Way (hip hop)
The Oh Wells – Surrey, BC (folk pop)
Tickets are $10 for the general public and $7 for students or EMP members.
The three winners of the semifinals and the selected wildcard band will advance to the finals at EMP’s Sky Church on March 5. The winner of the Sound Off! title will receive a performance slot at Bumbershoot 2011, a live on-air performance on 107.7, studio time and gear from KORG.
12 bands and one wildcard entry were selected out of 136 bands aged 21 and under.
From the press release:
Sound Off! supports the local underage music scene by giving young artists from different backgrounds a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to come together and play their original music in a positive, all-ages atmosphere.