Auditions diaries from the acts #9

Audition diaries from the acts themselves from this year’s Live and Unsigned competition are going online in a bid to be in The List Magazine. A week ago we put a call out on our Facebook page for Scottish acts to tell us their stories from the Live and Unsigned auditions for the chance to be in the popular magazine. We’ve had an incredible response from bands and acts and the diaries of their experiences were just so good, we simply couldn’t choose which act to put forward to The List.

That’s where you - the Live and Unsigned fans and supporters come in, the bands and acts’ stories were so brilliant that we wanted to share them with you.  Each day we’re going to put up an act’s diary for you to join in the fun and read, if you like their tale, vote for them on our Facebook page by pressing the Like button or commenting positively on their work. The act with the most support for their diary by the publishing deadline will appear in The List magazine and be followed through the competition.

The Best of luck to all of our Scottish bands and acts who have shared their stories - get voting for your favourite!

Audition Diary of Jaego – Edinburgh Auditions 29th January 2011

About a year ago Jaego formed to take new material out to a live audience, since forming we have been successfully gigging and song writing.

We decided to audition for the Live and Unsigned competition as we are looking for opportunities to be seen by those that could take us further and get good exposure to new fans. This is the bands number one aim.

First we set about taking one of our songs and condensing it down to 2 minutes. This was a difficult one as you have to give all the highlights of the song without losing its essence. We had 4 songs that we thought would impress the judges but only one got straight to the point and worked around the 2 minutes. It had the right energy with lighter moments ending on a high.

The band (except rhythm guitarist) doesn’t mind playing in front of anyone and the judges all seemed a friendly bunch. Our bassist is from a band called Wilki (very famous Polish band) and he says if we can perform in front of each other, we can do it for the crowd. Therefore we always perform the song, whether we are practising or playing live.

We have previously only entered one competition. The problem with that competition was based on text votes having no judges. We know a guy on facebook who has over 1000 friends and although he can’t sing he could probably win that competition by getting everyone on his facebook to send a text. That competition is a popularity contest not based talent. Whereas Live and Unsigned is different, they have judges so game on.

The toughest part of the competition is trying to switch on very quickly and perform, but we felt we did it. Waiting was hard, watching bands not going through thinking it was all over, but we knew it had gone well. We were called forward with a young teenage band and all we could do was hold our breath as he slowly (it seemed) said ‘You guys are through’ (HIGH FIVE!!). We were over the moon, but held it in till we got outside as he was giving us information, so you just hold it in with a big grin on your face.

As for our most rock and roll moment, it’s probably when I blew an amp at a charity gig at the Tait Hall Theatre in Kelso. I did this merely using of my voice. The band carried on playing so I jumped off stage to dance with the ladies in the audience.

Least rock and roll moment is drinking tea instead of beer at gigs as Jaego like to look after our voices.

If you like Jaego’s tale, you have a week to vote for them on our Facebook page  by pressing the Like button! This is the last entrant for this competition don't forget to check out the other entries. Look back next week when we find out the winner.