FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 18, 2012
CONTACT: Erica Asmus-Otero (505) 259-2202 Erica@griffinassoc.com

    Taos Solar Music Fest Band Search Aims to Shine Spotlight on One Lucky NM Band

TAOS, NM — The all-ages Taos Solar Music Festival – June 30 and July 1, 2012 – is giving New Mexico musicians a chance to take the spotlight on stage with their first annual Solar Music Festival Band Search. The winner of the competition will be granted 45 minutes of performance time on the main stage at the Taos Solar Music Festival and $1,000.

Bands are asked to submit a music video containing one song only that is no longer than 3 1/2 minutes in length. Submitted videos will be judged based on originality, musical ability of performers, vocal lead and harmony, and stage presence. The contest is only open to NM bands, consisting of two or more members.

A panel of industry professionals will then narrow down the entries to five finalists, whose videos will be posted on the Taos Solar Music Fest’s Facebook page. The public will be given the final decision and be allowed to choose the winning video.

The deadline for submission is 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, May 20, 2012.

The Taos Solar Music Festival’s lineup of music is bigger than ever with Grammy award-winning performers, Lyle Lovett and Los Lobos, along with Michael Franti, the Del McCoury Band, Sonny Landreth, Matt Kearney, and Taos native Max Gomez.

Band search organizer and musician from band Vanilla Pop, Alan Vetter, said that judges are looking specifically for original work and a combination between great vocals and strong stage presence.

“Music competitions are a test of nerve as much as skill, and your ability to perform for a large audience under pressure will be tested,” said Vetter. “The Taos Solar Music Fest is a really good way for emerging bands to be seen by a lot of people and get their feet wet while performing in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Take a look at your material and your delivery and ask yourselves, ‘would I pay money to see me?’ Show us, wow us, and make us want to listen to your tune and watch your video for more than 15 seconds.”

Contest rules and details are available at solarmusicfest.com/bandsearch.php.

Solar Fest organizers are also adding an incentive to encourage the public to “like” the Solar Fest page on Facebook. Each time the Solar Fest page receives 3,000 “likes,” participants will automatically be entered into a drawing to win a pair of tickets to the festival. Once the page receives 4,000 “likes,” the winner will receive an overnight stay at a Taos Ski Valley hotel in addition to a pair of tickets.

To “like” the Taos Solar Fest Music Festival on Facebook, visit: Facebook.com/solar festival.

More information will be available as the Solar Fest nears. Visit www.taossolarmusicfest.com or facebook.com/solarfestival for updates, or call/email 575-758-9191 or support@solarmusicfest.com.

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