By Ever since the COVID pandemic began in Colorado, there has been a prime directive to keep the music community alive through any means necessary.
Enter Northern Colorado’s prime cultural and arts institutions, providing a ‘spotlight’ for emerging music in the region. I wanted to get a more keen sense of exactly what this entails, so I reached out with a few questions to the organizers.
What is Sonic Spotlight?
It’s a new virtual music showcase and competition for Northern Colorado musicians presented by Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, 105.5 The Colorado Sound, and Bohemian Foundation. Sonic Spotlight is designed to support emerging musicians and set them on a path of community building and professional growth.
This fall, 8 artists/bands will be selected to work with music industry experts, showcase their songs, and have opportunities to create a professional music video, win prizes, and generally level-up their music. Two Sonic Spotlight showcases are coming up this November and December and will be open to everyone to attend (virtually, of course.) A panel of music industry veterans will be present throughout the program and will determine which artists advance to the final showcase, and ultimately which finalist is named winner of Sonic Spotlight 2020.
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Who is this for?
Musicians from Larimer or Weld counties who are age 22 and under and making any genre of music. Sonic Spotlight focuses on original music, so no covers allowed for this program. Musicians will need to submit two recorded songs and a video on their application. Songs and videos will be judged on content, artistic merit, and potential, not on production value or quality of recording. So if you don’t have studio tracks or multitrack recording YET… no worries, just submit what you have. We do have a ton of resources on our website that go through some tips and techniques for DIY/home recording, writing a band bio, web presence, making a video on your own, and more. Check out the Resources section on our site to dive in. Oh, and there is no fee to apply for or participate in Sonic Spotlight.
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A digital what? How does that work?
Yep, 100% virtual for musicians and audience members. Opportunities and mentor sessions for selected artists will be held on Zoom. The first Sonic Spotlight showcase will feature all 8 artists/bands and takes place Thurs, Nov 19 live on the airwaves at 105.5 The Colorado Sound. 3 artists/bands will then advance to the final round on Thurs, Dec 10, which will debut new music videos from each in a super fun and interactive online event.
What do I get if I win?
Artists/bands will receive or have a chance to get radio airplay on 105.5 The Colorado Sound, work with a world-class music producer on a song, take part in customized mentorship sessions with music industry experts, get access to and hands-on training in Ableton Live 10 Suite, work with a video producer to create a professional music video, with more prize announcements coming soon. Check out the website for the latest!
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How do I sign up!
The submission form is online now at www.sonicspotlight.org It takes about 15-20 mins to complete and the deadline to submit your music is Sep 30 at 11:59 pm MT.
