Artvoice BOOM: Battle of Original Music - BOOM IV (2009-2010) Archive
On Friday, March 5th, four bands walked into the Tralf and four walked out, but only one took home a satchel of cold hard cash, and hundreds of dollars worth of recording equipment from Guitar Center. Over 400 people turned out to witness Photos of Wagons take the grand prize in the annual Artvoice Battle of Original Music. The band took the stage last to perform their form of electric folk rock in front of a legion of fans who were ready and waiting to cast their ballots. Fans chanted “Photos! Photos!” as the band took the stage. By the time they started their first song, it was clear that the winner of the contest was on stage.
“I was ready to explode,” said Photos guitarist Grant Schulte, after the show. “I wasn’t really thinking about winning the contest, I just wanted to go nuts in front of all of our fans,” Schulte said.
Part Grateful Dead and part Wilco, Photos of Wagons have mastered their folky, progressive rock sound. Their songs inspire sing-a-long chants, which are punctuated by jangly guitar solos. As the band accepted their grand prize, each member stepped up to the microphone to thank their friends and fans. Drummer Jams Marotta thanked Artvoice and the band’s fans for voting for them in this “popularity contest,” but when it comes to local music the fact of the matter is, the most popular band is usually the most deserving.
Watch an excerpt from P.O.W.'s performance below, or check out the whole BOOM video archive on AVTV with footage from all the quarterfinal rounds, going back through previous contests.
In other BOOM! news... Due to ever increasing support and positive response we're receiving to BOOM, we're strongly considering a second contest this year to take place in the warmer weather months. We've got a lot to determine as of yet, but we're re-opening the registration anyway. Consider it a preliminary registration. Fill out our normal questionnaire and submit some photos and tunes so we can get to know you and your band, and in turn, you'll be the first to know when a new contest kicks off. We know a local music scene is an ever evolving organism, lineups change, bands form and dissolve, and the tunes get better and better - so as always per BOOM policy, everyone is invited back - no matter if you've participated before. Since we don't have a new contest laid out in stone just yet, we'll allow you to re-submit updated materials when we do kick off a new contest, or use your submission on file to go forward. Go to the registration page and send us your stuff!
Since 2006, the Artvoice Battle of Original Music has provided exposure to hundreds of area artists, through our weekly online contests and our live shows. We couldn’t have done it without the generous sponsors who’ve supported our contest with their time, talent, and treasure over the years. We’ve given away everything from musical gear, to recording time, to packaged CDs, to tattoos! Plus over $10,000 in cash. But the thing never would have lasted a week without all the musicians who are out there working to create their own unique sound, and craft their own sincere message to share with us. And of course, it would all be for naught were it not for the great, enthusiastic local music fans who’ve visited our Web site and packed the venues at our live shows. We’re lucky to have such a happening scene, and Artvoice is proud to play a little part in it.
Special thanks to all the bands who participated this year - including many who registered but were not chosen for the weekly battles. Fret not, it isn't because we didn't like you - on the contrary! Regretfully, with so many quality submissions not everybody got a chance. Everyone will be invited back to re-register for next year's contest, so keep your eyes peeled late summer when we'll likely be gearing up again.
You can still check out all the great bands who participated last year's contest in the archives. We've also got video from all of the quarter final events, as well as the grand finale.
Join us on the BOOM! MySpace to watch the contest unfold there and interact with the bands; or help us spread the word through your favorite social networking service.
