JUDGES TALK BACK FROM LEAMINGTON SPA AND LONDON AUDITIONS

Live and Unsigned auditions were in Leamington Spa and London this weekend and what a turn out it was!

LEAMINGTON SPA

Claire Harvey, Vocal Tutor, thought, “Lux Mundi ">www.myspace.com/luxmundiband had bags of personality and were visually very good. Forgetting Gravity ">www.myspace.com/forgettinggravity had great authenticity to their vocals and were very original. Soldier ">www.myspace.com/soldiersmusic had a unique sound and their lead singer was amazing.”

Choreographer Tanya Anderson, , commented, “I liked the intro of the song Divided We Fall ">www.myspace.com/dividedwefallofficial played, although I felt their vocals were drowned out by the volume of the music. Forgetting Gravity were very original as were Judy’s House. Johnny and Zak had good harmonies, although they needed original material. The Fine Lines ">www.myspace.com/thefinelines3 were a stand out act of the day.”

Chris Grayston, Head of A&R at Future Music, said, “Kingship had a fantastic lead vocalist who really stood out from the crowd. The Fans of Faye played the best song of the day – it was really catchy and they performed it like they were playing a gig, which is how it should be. Air Canada ">www.myspace.com/aircanadamusic played a catchy number and got the hook out early in the track which is always good. The best act at the auditions for me was I Only Date Models ">www.myspace.com/ionlydatemodels – really catchy guitar riffs which complimented the drummer – I think they’ll go far.”

Gary Thompson, Founder of Music Means Life, commented, “There were a few acts who I thought were really on the money at the auditions and really impressed. Anti Social Misfits ">www.myspace.com/antisocialmisfits, CRC, Judy’s House ">www.myspace.com/judyshouse, Soldier and Emily ">www.myspace.com/emilyburnsuk. I really enjoyed their performances.”

HAYES

Over 600 acts came to audition in London – which meant the auditions had to be separated into two rooms, solos and bands, to accommodate the sheer volume of entrants! Here the judges tell us more…

Kiki Militsis, Vocal Tutor, thought, “Confidential Collective www.myspace.com/confidentialcollective were different – an 11 piece band and ones to watch I thought. Edian ">www.myspace.com/EDIANBAND and JoanovArc ">www.myspace.com/joanovarc both gave strong performances and The Drum Machine Project were…interesting, I think you had to be there! Diaspora Red needed a little more focus I felt, and young metal band Always The Accused had a good image and stage presence but needed to work on their chemistry and music.”

 Aimee McGoldrick from Hayes FM said, “Capital Collision www.myspace.com/capitalcollision were my favourite. Rachel Collins ">www.myspace.com/rachelcollinsmusic performed well and were very tight. Insight Forte Drift ">www.myspace.com/ukforte were very different from most of the bands we saw so I loved their versatility. Seize The Day had enchanting vocals but needed a bit more practice. Toxic 6 were great too.”

Kartick, Musician for the likes of Massive Attack, commented, “Rosie ">www.myspace.com/rosiesingssomesongs had an exceptional voice and really owned the stage, I really enjoyed the performance. Capital Collision had a nice sound and brought a bit of light to the auditions. Confidential Collective were jazzy!”

Chris Grayston, Head of A&R at Future Music, thought, “Jamie Aldridge gave it his all and I am really looking forward to seeing him at the live stages. Rudi Douglas www.myspace.com/rudidouglasmusic played a catchy song which has real potential. RCSK were like a female version of the Streets. Caroline Lierz ">www.myspace.com/carolineleiroz impressed the judges and is only 13! I thought Tom Pearce ">www.myspace.com/tompearce01 did a great audition, he has a good look, although I think he needs to rework the dynamics of his track.”