The annual Garage 2 V battle of the bands competition is heating up by the minute. The initiative, run by Virgin Mobile, in conjunction with FasterLouder.com.au and V Festival, today announced the panel of judges who will be responsible for scouting out the hottest new talent currently on offer across Australia.
With only seven days to go until entries close (31st January 2008), unsigned bands are encouraged to upload their tracks before they miss out. What’s in it for them? The chance to not only be heard by some of the music industry’s most influential ears, but the chance of winning the ultimate prize of becoming the opening act at V Festival 2008 across four states and playing alongside the likes of The Smashing Pumpkins and Duran Duran!
Let’s meet the judging panel:
Sydney Judges
Dan Zilber is the Music Director from FBi, which entails booking artists for FBi gigs, setting up on air interviews, trawling the web for new music and compiling the FBi compilations.
Glen Goetze looks after the A&R department at Modular Records. He oversees all music that comes into Modular office.
Robert Giovannoni started his own company called the Hype who has booked bands such as Severed Heads, Custard and Caligula. He then went solo with his own agency Underground Promotions.
Cec Busby has spent more than a decade in the music industry as an editor on publications such as Total Rock, Revolver, Brag Magazine, as well as contributing to Empire, Cream & Rolling Stone. She has now however planted herself at FasterLouder.com.au as the national website editor.
Stephen Pavlovic is a manager for Modular Recordings and has toured acts such as Nirvana, Beck, The Beastie Boys, as well as being the owner and director for the label through which Modular releases its records.
Dan Stapleton, is the Music Editor of Time Out Sydney magazine, as well as being a regular contributor for Rolling Stone magazine. His past music commentary can also be found across Australia appearing in 3D world, Drum Media & Blunt magazine. When he’s not writing about the music he is attending every gig he can and playing his bass (although quite badly).
Melbourne Judges
Will Larnach-Jones manages some of the hottest bands in the country, from The Presets, to Angie Hart, and has also worked alongside acts such as the Avalanches & Dexter. He brings with him a wealth of advice for bands just starting out and entering Garage 2 V.
Justine de Jonge, is a contributor to Beat Magazine in Melbourne, sub editor at FasterLouder.com.au and when she is not writing, editing gig listings, interviewing and reviewing, she is listening to music. One is right in calling her a fanatic.
Lauren Taylor is a presenter from RRR FM radio station in Melbourne. She has interviewed many high profile international and local talent throughout her career and her passion for music runs across many genres.
Adam Curley is the Editor of the Melbourne Street Press magazine Inpress, as well as a freelancer for various publications and who is a fan of genuine original music without the pretence.
Perth Judges
Michael Inglis is the man who keeps his eye on everything over in Western Australia, working with FasterLouder.com.au and who is a walking music dictionary. Just test him!
Marcus Canning works over in Perth at the Bakery Artrage and works on many of Perth’s local festivals such as the Northbridge Festival and NYE Northbridge Celebrations.
Queensland Judges
Ruth De Glas is the promotions and sponsorship manager for 4ZZZ FM in Brisbane, as well as co-presenting the Wednesday drive time show and writes for her local street press.
Ross Kingston is the advertising manager for Rave and has over 11 years experience in advertising and 8 years in the music industry. He also involves himself in local music initiatives and independent music competitions.
Liam McGinnis is the Editor of FasterLouder.com.au Queensland and has been writing about music for as long as he can remember. He is looking forward to Garage 2 V and getting exposure to what local talent Australia has to offer.
Entry to G2V closes on the January 31 2008
Bands enter by setting up their own band’s web page which features their bio and tracks. Go to www.garage2v.com.au to see how it’s done.
Tickets to each heat and final are FREE and only available from www.garage2v.com.au and www.FasterLouder.com.au members, so register today so you don’t miss out.
The G2V Heats and Finals will take place on the following dates:
Victoria Heat – Wed 27 Feb at The Toff
WA Heat – Thurs 28th Feb at The Bakery
NSW Heat – Wed 05th March at Spectrum
QLD Heat – Thurs 6th March at The Troubadour
Final – Thurs 13th March at the Oxford Arts Factory
