Sound Off! Finals @ EMP’s Sky Church | 3/3 | Doors 7pm | $8-12 (Get Tickets) | All Ages
2012’s Sound Off! finals lineup is quite impressive. The vast array of genres and styles is notable with blues folk, dream-pop, prog-rock, and rock all sharing the same stage on one night. Sound Off! is celebrating its 11th year in bringing the best of 21-and-younger bands to the forefront. This year’s competition had ages ranging from 16 to the max of 21 with many attending school or even in different countries for study-abroad. Sound Off! rewards the finalists with various trophies, the first-place winner gets a slot at Bumbershoot, an on-air performance on 107.7 The End’s Locals Only segment, studio time, and much more. The other finalists don’t walk away empty-handed, others prizes include a spot at Northwest Folk Life, studio times, KORG gear, consultation with industry professionals and so much more. This annual competition really showcases the talent that Washington has as well as the under-age prodigies in our area.
Feet is based out of Seattle with members attending both UW and Seattle U, where the band has played many times and partially recorded songs at the studio. Feet is a prog-rock outfit that features pop keys, catchy drumbeats, and smooth yet distorted guitar riffs all with a ’60s style.
Spokane-based Nude brings the dream-pop to Sound Off! this year. The quartet features heavy bass lines, mesmerizing guitar licks, and falsetto vocals that really grab your attention. Their catchy “No Show” from their Semi-final performance can be seen below.
Bellevue’s own Special Explosion won the hearts of many and in turn they won the coveted Wild Card slot for the finals. The fuzz-pop rockers have a slight punk edge to them while enticing the pop crowd with their upbeat rhythms. Special Explosion will be opening up for BRAD in April.
The Deep Wake hails from across the Sound in Bainbridge Island and also Southern California. The band is a girl-guy duo that produces phenomenal bluesy folk songs that focuses on simplicity: guitar, vocals, drums, violin. There are no intense drum solos nor any experimental synths or light shows, instead the Deep Wake fills your ears with strong vocals, harmonies, and raw musical talent.
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