Welcome back, my friends, to the online battle of the bands that never ends—the fantabulous Artvoice Battle Of Original Music (B.O.O.M.). Often imitated, but never duplicated, this marks the third year we’ve been reaching out to the local original music community, and discovering a depth of talent and drive that few knew existed here. Turns out the Buffalo area continues to serve as a hotbed for new artists, and we’re proud to offer them a platform to get their music out there.

Congratulations to Week 1 winners, The Albrights!

This week, we’d like to congratulate The Albrights! They collected the most votes in our online contest this past week, so they proceed to the live preliminary at Nietzsche’s on Friday, October 16.

For you, dear readers, who’ve been living under a rock, here’s how our contest works. Solo artists and bands visit boom.artvoice.com and register by answering a brief questionnaire, like the ones on the right of this page. They also submit a couple songs and a photo.

From the pile of submissions we receive, two acts are chosen each week, and they appear in the print edition of the paper. These two then compete head to head in our virtual concert hall—where visitors to Artvoice.com can listen to the music, and then, with the click of a mouse, cast one vote for the contestant he or she prefers.

Thus, each week produces one winner. At the end of four weeks, we arrive at the four bands that then square off in a live showdown, where each audience member receives one ballot to cast for his or her favorite. At the end of the night, one band emerges victorious and wins a spot in the B.O.O.M. Grand Finale, the big live concert battle that pits the four winners of our preliminary shows against one another. That night, one band will walk off with awesome prizes, and join the ranks of past B.O.O.M. Grand Champions Dali’s Ghost, and TypeRelevant.

Bands are encouraged to get out the vote any way they can short of stuffing the ballot box. Our IT guy has detected such instances in the past, and it’s never been taken lightly. If you’re caught cheating, you can be disqualified. And there’s nowhere to appeal our decision.

Also, musicians, there’s still time to enter B.O.OM., even if you’ve entered before. Visit the registration page to find out how.

Good luck to the Bear Exchange and David Cloyd. May the best band win.

David Cloyd	The Bear Exchange
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? I suppose at birth, since it’s just me. But I started my latest project in Brooklyn, New York, in late 2006, about a year-and-a-half before I moved here. You might like us if you like: Radiohead/Thom Yorke, Peter Gabriel, Beck, The Beatles/John Lennon/Paul McCartney, Jeff Buckley, Nick Drake, The Flaming Lips List of recorded releases: Unhand Me, You Fiend! (2009) Why you should win the Artvoice.com Online Battle of Original Music: Musically, I’m very eclectic, so I have something for everyone. But really, it’s not for me to decide. At least it’s not up to what words I might type into this little box. Is it? I mean, this contest doesn’t have an essay portion, right? I hope that people just enjoy listening to the songs, and if they find themselves remembering them later in the day with positive effect, I would say that deserves a shot. Plus, I ROCKED the evening gown portion of the competition. Website: www.davidcloydmusic.com	When/where did the band form? We formed here in Buffalo just this past July 2009. You might like us if you like: Melodies and piano keys and harmonies and criss-crossed knees...if you please. List of recorded releases: We’re releasing our first EP on November 7th at Sugar City. Best show ever played: We’ve only performed a few times so far, but it was fun when we left our pianos and keyboards home and just played acoustic/ toy instruments, which conveniently fit in our bike baskets. Why you should win the Artvoice.com Online Battle of Original Music: We write and perform and practice and record for our own fulfillment, but also with an earnest desire for our listeners’ enjoyment. I can’t think of two better cooperative motivations, so if you like what you hear, vote for us! Website: myspace.com/thebearexchange