DEALBLITZ

The excitement surrounding Austin’s annual South By SouthWest Music Conference reached a fever pitch on Friday, March 17th, as www.MUSICBLITZ.com unveiled DEALBLITZ, its groundbreaking showcase for unsigned acts! Neophyptes and industry vets were abuzz about the all-day event, in which 24 up-and-coming artists strutted their stuff for a packed house and an eclectic panel of music industry judges! But it wasn’t just the stellar array of talent that had heads turning, it was the artist-friendly nature of DEALBLITZ itself. All of the acts that appeared at DEALBLITZ actually stood a chance of leaving with a signed www.MUSICBLITZ.com singles contract in their back pocket -- and quite a few did!

“If the majority of our judges gave the artist the thumbs-up, the artist was awarded a singles contract on the spot,” says Mike Mena, www.MUSICBLITZ.com’s Vice President of A&R. “Musicians will never find this kind of instant gratification anywhere else at SXSW!”
Though DEALBLITZ 2000 has already passed into music history, you can still taste the excitement via live streaming video (RealPlayer 7 required). Simply click your connection below and relive this extraordinary event as it happened -- direct from “The Live Music Capital of The World!” Click here for a full list of performers!

On March 17th, an eclectic group of music industry insiders assemb- led at Austin's Copper Tank Brewery with one mission -- to serve as judges for DEALBLITZ, a six-hour talent showcase sponsored by revolutionary music site www.MUSICBLITZ.com! In what many have called a breakthrough for struggling musicians everywhere, DEALBLITZ offered participating artists a rare chance to bypass the traditionally byzantine A&R process, and to receive straight-up advice and criticism from a panel of experts!

Sources close to the MUSICBLITZ organization reveal that the distinguished panel included: Jerry Rubino, Program Director of Rock and Alternative music for Sirrius radio; legendary MC5 guitarist Wayne Kramer; film and TV music supervisor/KCRW DJ Anne Litt; radio programmer Michael Halloran; programming consultant Tony Gray;

Tracie Verlinde, Associate of Writer-Publisher Relations for BMI; Jackey Simms, Director of Creative for ASCAP; Rebecca Carroll, Vice-President of Artist Development for MUSICBLITZ; Stan Savage, MUSICBLITZ's Director of A&R; Lisa Feldman, Director of Soundtracks, Film and TV Licensing for MUSICBLITZ; Rolling Stone and Billboard writer David Sprague; WHTG DJ Jeff Raspe, and Alta Vista Music Producer David Bassin.

Unlike traditional talent showcases, there were no losers at DEALBLITZ. Each and every act received valuable career advice, as well as the opportunity to establish important connections with insiders who could actually do their career some good. "Our judges aren’t faceless industry cogs,” explains MUSICBLITZ marketing guru Rebecca Carroll, “each one is a tastemaker with a proven track record.” What does this mean for the contestants? "Normally, an A&R person signs an act and then prays. Our judges can actually make things happen!"

Looking for the behind-the scenes coverage you won't find on our webcast?  Then join MUSICBLITZ's own Jackie McCarthy every hour on the hour for BACKSTAGE AT DEALBLITZ!  The action begins at 11:30 Central Time!

SCENE REPORT 6 -- 4:00 p.m. ----------------------
From puritan Boston, a Helmet-like squall emerges. They're called SEVENTEEN, and their sound is heavy, heavy, heavy, even though the singer/bassist's sporting a polo shirt. The guys in baseball caps are enjoying Seventeen, and so is everybody else. The song is short and tight, and sometimes in rock that's all you need. Five thumbs up from the third panel of judges.

More milling around, more orders of buffalo wings, and the green beer starts appearing. The Chicago trio STARBALL plays without its drummer, who couldn't afford the $600 plane ticket to Austin. The guitarist and bass player (dressed in color-coordinated outfits that resemble Good-n-Plenties) harmonize with skill. The song could use a drummer, though. Three out of five judges disagree, and Starball gets a deal.

A radically different female duo follows. They go by the name PUSHY, and the singer is a kind of mutant Barbra Streisand/Kathleen Hanna combo, more performance artist than rock singer. Sound scary? It is.

Pushy gets pushy over a backing track. It'll never sell in Wal-Mart -- plus it pretty much sucks -- so Pushy gets a consolation prize (a copy of the Yellow Pages of Rock) and a smattering of confused applause.

New York City in the house, and boy, do those Manhattanites know how to liven up a room. HAMMEL ON TRIAL is a solo acoustic spitfire, brimming with energy and a refreshingly caustic sense of humor. He leaps around the stage and hammers on his guitar, singing about a misguided girl named Nancy and her series of dodgy boyfriends.

Things get even better when MARTHA WAINWRIGHT and her band take the stage. Daughter of Loudon, sister of Rufus, Martha pulls out all the stops. She's got an amazing voice, and the musicians are amazingly "together." It's by far the best thing all day -- way to end on a high note.

SCENE REPORT 5 -- 3:00 p.m. ----------------------
This new panel is tough.  Dallas power pop trio ONLY is next.  Your crinky correspondent gives singer points for the vocalist's FBI t-shirt and uncanny physical resemblance to Bob Mould.  All the judges agree that Only needs to come into their own, though they offer different advice on how to do that.  One judge suggests that Clark get in touch with his inner Neil Young.  Um, okay.....

Time to check in with earlier DealBlitz winner ERIC BLAKELY, who's been living in Austin for ten years.  In that time, he's gone from acoustic solo performances to full band gigs, selling copies of two independently released CDs out of the trunk of his car.

A friend told Blakely about DealBlitz, and he dropped off one of his CDs at the hotel where MusicBlitz A&R head Mike Mena is staying.  Blakely says he didn't know much about DealBlitz, but that he felt it was "a good excercise, whether the outcome is good or not."

Meanwhile, the Houston quartet PALE is churning out some melodic alt-rock.  The radio guys like it, but the judges aren't so sure.  Kramer takes the vice-presidential role, awarding Pale a qualified thumbs-up.

We've come a long way so far, from the silver lame pants on the members of 12 OZ. CURL to the silver lame cowboy hat on the head of the singer for PERPETUAL HYPE ENGINE.  This band wears Devo-ish white jumpsuits, and quite frankly, they're a little scary, but in a good way.  All they wanted was a Pepsi, and the home number for King Coffey of the Butthole Surfers.

P.H.E. is drawing a crowd, partly because the guitar player is a dead ringer for Ted Nugent.  Wayne Kramer finds his Detroit homeboys "charming, fun and original -- not Kid Rock."

SCENE REPORT 4 -- 1:00 p.m. ----------------------
To play video golf or not to play video golf, that is the question.  Austin's own ERIC BLAKELY is next, and not a moment too soon.  He's got a warm Buddy Holly-ish quality to his voice and songwriting.  Hiss ebulliant love song suits a Friday afternoon.  The room's cleared out a bit which is a shame, since Blakely and his band are the most accomplished act so far.

Performing solo with just an acoustic guitar, LAURA CANTRELL sings a story-song with a classic country feel.  The audience gets quiet as she spins a sad tale about a lonely, travelin' gal.  Simple and beautiful, and the judges agree.  These last two acts builds up a bit of momentum for the DEALBLITZ extravaganza, then the first set of judges are relieved of duty.

While the judges undergo a changing of the guard, I talked to Stephanie Seymour, the lead singer of the NYC band BIRDY. She tells me that her band plays out once or twice a month at fun places like Arlene Groceng and Fez.

During the day, she does video promotion for a major label, then after-hours she works for the tiny indie Cropduster Records. Aside from Birdy, the collective label includes the HEALTH AND HAPPINESS SHOW, THE OTHER 99, JULIA GREENBERG, BOB PERRY, and THE CHRIS MEROLA GROUP.

Cropduster (www.cropduster.com) released Birdy's debut in Feb. 1999, but their next release will be on MUSICBLITZ.

The new judges are in place: radio programmers Mike Halloran and Jeff Raspe. Jackey Simms of ASCAP, stan savave, A&R director at MusicBlitz, and former MC5  guitarist, Wayne Kramer.

THREE APPLES HIGH have a shiny, happy vibe, sort of a laid back, with a bit of hip hop influence.  Their song is called "I'm in Love with Beer." Its a little hard to tell...

The radio programmers on the panel give Three Apples High a pass ("too hard to program"), Wayne Kramer asks the guitarists to teach him a fancy chord progression, begging the question, "would you rather get a deal or a compliment from a rock icon?"  Something to ponder, as Three Apples High goes home without a contract.

SCENE REPORT 3 -- 12:30 p.m. ----------------------
The funky soulvibe of Los Angeles' LONDON STREET PROJECT (are you confused yet?) makes a refreshing change from rock, but they are still working on their technique.  They've got a rapper and a singer, and they haven't had a soundcheck, so maybe thats part of the problem.  Its hard to balance all those vocals and instruments.  Maybe its the time -- a few minutes in the afternoon -- but they sound a little unrehearsed.  The judges give the London Street Project a qualified thumbs-up, since it turns out to be the singer's second performance ever.  Plus, they drove all the way from LA, so it only seems fair to flip that paddle to "yes!"

The members of DEEP DOWN all have "alternative" hair: sheared, bleached, braided, pin curled.... They're doing the Los Angeles rap/rock thing with a high energy execution.  The judges are wary of the group's non-pop approach -- we get the first "no's" of the day, three out of five judges.  So Deep Down is the first band of the day to be deep-sixed.

A NYC quintet called BIRDY is next.  They work off the sweet harmonies of the two singers (one is a former Aquanetta).  The music is happy and twangy, and they're the first group that seems to be having fun on stage; they're all smiles and they look really comfortable playing before an audience.  Plus, the guitarist is great.

I never thought I'd see silver lame and moustaches together after the heyday of the Village People, but then again, I'd never seen 12 OZ. CURL.  The Raleigh, N.C. band is some kind of unholy combination of Rammstein and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.  I think they're trying to be satirical, though their Les Claypool-ish bass player is playing it straight.  The judges get the joke, though, and 12 oz. Curl gets a deal.

SCENE REPORT 2 -- 11:45 a.m. ----------------------
One band down, one deal offered. The judges have red paddles with yes printed on one side and no printed on the other. Yes means you've got a deal, and Punchy was the first recipient of DealBlitz largesse. "You guys are really punchy," puns judge Anne Litt from KCRW radio. "I want to turn your record up really loud and listen to it in my car."

Next up is Finnish quartet Apulanta, who perform a mid-tempo rocker with the suggestive title "Spank Me." Perhaps better as a title than a song, since I find it kind of boring....Still, who can resist Finnish-accented English and the band's ultra-passionate performance. The singer looks like that Midnight Oil guy, and he's stomping his foot to emphasize the chorus: "Spank me! Spank me! Why don't you do it to me?!" How convenient that the judges have paddles. Also convenient for Apulanta that they disagree with your cranky correspondent. It's unanimous: The band's got a contract. All this before noon....

SCENE REPORT 1 -- 11:30 a.m. ----------------------
Like the rest of Austin on this rainy Friday morning, the Copper Tank brewery is cold. Unlike the rest of Austin, it smells like disinfectant. Lysol aside, there's a sense of nervous excitement in the air -- and not just from the coffee and Pop Tarts.

First up is Punchy, an Austin group who describe themselves as "a garageland rock band." Does that mean they sound like the Clash? Wait and see.....

Dear Mike Mena: How many songs should be on a demo submission? Is 20 too many? -- Desperate in Debuque

Dear Desperate: Four songs is best – it shows you’re prolific beyond a random flash of creativity and leaves the listener wanting more. If the people you’re submitting to want to hear more, they’ll ask. Always

remember to put your best song first. Why? Because you want the listener to get to the second track! Your demo is not the time to say "well, the songs work better thematically this way." The preferred format? Definitely a CD or CDR – it's easier to scan tracks with a CD than a cassette. Creative presentation is also key. A&R people receive

countless submissions -- you need to give them every reason to want to check out your music. A photo, bio and press clippings are a perfect way to make your submission stand apart from the herd. Hope that’s helpful! Oh, and by the way…if you ever send me a 20 song demo, I’ll have you blackballed from the music business.

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