Feb. 15: Battle of the bands? Well yes, and no…

soundOffImagine an under-21 band competition (unimaginable!), where your favorite teenage folk trio is pitted against an incredibly great rapper/musician – Kingston’s Nabii KO$MO, an absolutely crazed garage-rock band out of Bellevue – Thee Samedi, and an amazingly ethereal electronica artist, Manatee Commune (a.k.a. Bellingham’s Grant Eadie, who happens to play violin, guitar, and keys). Well, that actually will come to pass at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15 at the EMP at Seattle Center, as part of EMP’s annual Sound Off! competition. We’re freaking out with trepidation and excitement, and we would so be honored if you would join us, root for us, and root for our competition as well — they truly rock. It’s such an honor to be among semi-finalists in this well-respected annual event. We recommend attending every one of the three semi-final events, which run each Saturday starting Feb. 8, and then coming out for the final showdown,  March 1.

An annual event since 2001, EMP’s Sound Off! supports the all-ages scene by giving artists an opportunity to showcase original music, launch their music careers, and connect with the larger artistic community. All participants are 21 or under and residents of Washington, Oregon, British Columbia, or Idaho.

The coolest rule is that all music has to be 100 percent original, so while you’ll hear some familiar stuff, we’ll be debuting some new tunes and songs. Get the details (including tix). Be there!