Sometimes there are some pretty cool perks that come with this music blogger gig.
Yes there’s the free music, free concerts and the opportunities to interview, and sometimes even meet, your musical idols. Aside from those perks there comes the opportunities to be a part of some pretty fun events like the Hard Rock Battle of the Bands and Seattle Superstar Search, both of which are happening this weekend, and I was fortunate enough the be asked to be a judge for both.
The Hard Rock Battle of the Bands, an event I also judged last year, happens tonight (9 p.m., $10). It features five bands all playing for the chance to secure a spot at the Hard Rock’s battle of the bands in L.A. where the winner gets a spot on the bill of Hard Rock Calling, which is a festival in London. The bands scheduled to perform are: Blyss, Man Without Wax, SweetKiss Momma, A Leaf and Shotty. I’ll be on a panel of judges that includes a rep from Tooth and Nail Records, the label with a roster that includes MxPx, Underoath, the Classic Crime and more, and a representative from Encore Media Group, which is the company that publishes City Arts Magazine.
Saturday night I will be a judge for Seattle Superstar Search, which is a contest being held at the University of Washington’s Kane Hall ($10, 7 p.m.). Think of it as a talent show involving musicians, singers, dancers and other performers. The winner receives $1,000 and everyone in attendance will get a pair of tickets to the filming of America’s Got Talent at the Paramount Theatre on March 2 and 3.
This time around I’ll be on a panel of judges that includes a talent scout from America’s Got Talent and former American Idol contestant Sanjaya Malakar, who will also be performing at the event, hence the above video. The last time I saw Sanjaya perform was when he cameoed at a Stevie Wonder concert a few years ago and I’m looking forward to meeting him and watching his performance since his pipes showed a great deal of improvement from his Idol days during his duet with Stevie.
So come by either the Hard Rock or UW’s Kane Hall this weekend and judge my judging abilities.
