Indie Sounds NY & Austin

The Tiny Tin Hearts Won Austin Soundwars

In the end, TTTH came through as clear winners, with Sarah Sharp as the runner up.  More info here.

Austin Soundwars Final Round: Sarah Sharp vs The Tiny Tin Hearts

Distraught and torn I am.  Two of my favorite Austin acts - Sarah Sharp and The Tiny Tin Hearts - are pitted against one another in the final round of the Austin Chronicle Soundwars competition.  I shall flip a coin daily this week to determine who my vote goes to.  And you should also vote daily too - voting ends Friday night.  Click here to do that!

Suzanna Choffel Places 2nd in ISC

Suzanna Choffel has won 2nd place in the prestigious annual International Songwriting Competition in the AAA category with her song Hey Mister.


Photo by Todd Wolfson

Choffel, Scarborough, Sharp Win in Austin Music Awards

Suzanna Choffel won as best "Indie" act at the 27th Austin Music Awards, presented last night at a show to kick off SXSW.  She was also placed in several other categories, including musician of the year, female vocalist and electric guitar. It was also a celebration for Laura Scarborough, who took home the best keyboardist award.  Scarborough performs in Choffel's band, playing vibes/accordion/synth/melodica.

Meanwhile, Porterdavis won in the roots rock category, while band members Mike Meadows and Simon Wallace won for drums and miscellaneous instrument (harmonica), respectively.

Also a winner was Sarah Sharp in the jazz category.  And Mr. Sharp's cover band, Mysterious Ways, made it to #2 in that category.

Spanking Charlene Is "Best Unsigned Band in America"

Spanking Charlene won the "Best Unsigned Band in America" contest at Piano's on Saturday, beating out Justin Biaggi & The Hopeless Romantics and The Priscillas. The prize is a record deal with Wicked Cool Records, run by E street band guitarist Stevie van Zandt.


Photo by Dan Root

Catch the band live the third Saturday of every month through June @ the Lakeside Lounge.

Justin Biaggi's New Album, Battle of the Bands @ Piano's Saturday

We last spoke to Justin Biaggi (he of the Hopeless Romantics) back in May 2007 for the cover of issue 23.  He's been a busy lad since then, with a new album ready for release and participation in year-long battle of the bands, which culminates this Saturday @ Piano's.  A record deal with Wicked Cool Records (owned by E Street Band guitarist Steve van Zandt) is the prize.  So we had to find out more ...

Mieka Pauley Wins Cosmo StarLaunch Contest

Mieka Pauley - well known on the indie scene in NYC - won first prize in Cosmo's StarLaunch contest, designed to find Cosmopolitan's "Fun Fearless Female Rockstar of the Year," last night at Terminal 5.

She and fellow finalists Alexa Wilkinson and Fortune 457 each performed a song as part of an opener for Natasha Bedingfield.  Here is a video of the announcement of the winner:



And here is her winning performance:

Matthew Dorrien Wins 2008 WLSC!

Matthew Dorrien emerged Saturday night as winner of the 2008 Williamsburg Live Songwriter Competition, beating out 149 others who performed during the week-long festival.



Rosi Golan came in second, and Becca Stevens third.

WLSC Kicks Off Tomorrow Night At Matchless; Final Next Saturday At Public Assembly

The Williamsburg Live Songwriter Competition - from Jezebel Music - kicks off tomorrow night at Matchless.

The competition - with 150 artists performing - features six first round nights at different venues in Williamsburg (free admission), with the semi-finals and finals being held on Friday and Saturday next week at Public Assembly ($7).

Mike Grubbs of Wakey!Wakey! is hosting and performers are competing for a first prize of $4,000.

LEVI Nominated Again, Knit Off To Wburg

LEVI is once again up for Best Female Rapper at the Underground Music Awards, created to acknowledge independent and unsigned urban music artists.  Vote for her every day at www.hiphoppalace.ning.com.

The Knitting Factory has been given the green light to move into the Williamsburg space that until recently housed the relocated Luna Lounge.  According to the NY Times, the Knit will open in a few months, and will be smaller than the Luna was.