Sound Off! is the Northwest's largest underage battle of the bands competition for musicians 21 and under. The event 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. Live from Sound Off! Volume One features the twelve bands selected to participate in Sound Off! 2008 performing live at EMP|SFM in Seattle.
Featured artists:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Shotty, Kirkland, WA
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.
Pat Goodwin, Seattle, WA
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.
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.
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.
The Batteries, Carnation, WA
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.
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.
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.
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