Congratulations to our Round 4, Week 1 winners, The Path!

Congratulations to to The Path! They collected the most votes in our online Battle of Original Music this past week.

This week features two more of the best original acts that have thus far submitted a photo, an original mp3, and filled out our rigorous questionnaire. Check out their sound below and cast a vote for the act you prefer. Each week, the popular online vote decides who proceeds to the next live show (Saturday, April 9 at Nietzsche’s) where four acts will square off in a no-holds-barred extravaganza of local original music.

That night at Nietzsche’s (21+), each audience member will be given one ballot on which to cast his or her vote for his or her favorite band. At the end of the night, when the tally is completed, only one will have won the right to perform in the Artvoice BOOM Grand Finale—the battle royale, winner-take-all live blowout where one talented act will walk away with unspeakable prizes, a handsome wad of cash, and the eternal privilege to proclaim themselves Artvoice BOOM Grand Champions!

This week, we give you Shapes of States and Al Zuhri D. Take a moment to meet them and listen to them on this page. Finally, cast ONE vote for the one you like best. Through the magic of the digital age, we will tabulate the voting and announce this week’s winner on-line and in next week’s print edition.

A word of warning however: Bands attempting to stuff the ballot by submitting multiple votes will be rooted out using the most sophisticated intelligence software available on the black market. (Well, okay, that’s a bluff, but if you try to fool our IT guy you will be caught. Just ask the FBI…he’s that good. And if that happens, you will be disqualified with nowhere to appeal our decision.)

If you're in a band and would like to enter BOOM for a shot at the $5,000 grand prize, visit boom.artvoice.com to find out how. In the meantime, check out this week’s contestants, and may the best act win.

Al Zuhri D.	Shapes of States
You must have the latest Adobe Flash Player installed to listen to the BOOM! contestants.	You must have the latest Adobe Flash Player installed to listen to the BOOM! contestants.
When/where did the band form? Solo Electronic-Pop act formed 2007 in Buffalo, NY. You might like us if you like: Eiffel 65, Sonique, Culture Beat, Daft Punk, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Euro-dance or if you like dancing in general. Best show played: Best gig was a battle of the bands at Club Paradise 2010. Only solo act to advance to the final round. Why you should win the Artvoice.com Online Battle of Original Music: We are one of the most unique acts in the western NY region. The act revolves around rave culture and comes complete with dancers, a fog/laser light and black light show which not only sets us apart from any other act in the region but give us an edge over other solo acts. Our music being in the Club genre allows us versatility with audiences wether it be hip-hop or rock. Long story short, we know how to bring the heat. Website: myspace.com/zuhridavonlahmaar1	When/where did the band form? Formed in 2007 in Buffalo, NY You might like us if you like: Aphex Twin, Stuntman, Autechre, Basha, old Roni Size, AreHouse, Boards of Canada, William Bologna, the Books, Curt Rotterdam, Nobodys, Mel Coto, Jeff Repeater. Best show played: The Buffalo Infringement Festival float during the 2010 Buffalo Dyngus Day Parade, was quite a moving experience, New Years Eve at Nietzsche’s ‘09 and ‘11 were great, the Weekend Off Festival is like word, yo. Hey, every show is the best! Why you should win the Artvoice.com Online Battle of Original Music: Shapes of States deserves to win BOOM! due to the fact that when Shapes of States wins, we all win, and we’re not kidding. You have been to one of his shows right? Website: reverbnation.com/shapesofstates

What did you think of this week's contestants? Feel free to discuss below - please keep it friendly - and remember, posting a comment in favor of a band doesn't count as a vote. Use the link above to cast your vote!