Prizes for the first-place winner include a highly coveted performance slot at Bumbershoot 2007, a live on-air performance on 107.7 The End's The Young and The Restless, production of a song from Glenn Lorbecki at Glenn Sound Studio, two additional days of studio time at Soundhouse Studio, and a Gibson Les Paul Double Cut guitar and amp provided by Gibson. Prizes for the second-place winner include a live on-air performance on KEXP's Audioasis, two days of studio time at Orbit Audio Studio and an Epiphone Sheraton II. Third place winners will receive a Kramer Vanguard FR-440. All of the top three winners will receive a collection of Shure microphones, industry consultation from the Recording Academy and a Drumcore software package.

Every year, EMP/SFM sends out the call for young musicians, ages 21 and under, to submit their demo discs, and every year our panel of judges sorts through entries from numerous talented hopefuls. 2007 has such a wealth of talented entries we decided to add three additional bands. From rock to rap, indie to heavy metal, jazz to electronica, the diversity in young talent throughout the Pacific Northwest is represented well in our selection of semi-finalists:

SEMI-FINAL ROUND ONE

Performing LIVE in Level Three on Saturday, February 3, 2007:

* Don't Tell Sophie / Tacoma, Wash. - With a crisp, harmonic sound and catchy, lovelorn lyrics, Don't Tell Sophie's well crafted pop songs echoes Nada Surf and Pacific Northwest indie pop favorites The Long Winters. www.myspace.com/donttellsophie

* For Years Blue / Spokane, Wash. - Together for more than four years, For Years Blue combines traditional indie rock with nifty, and sometimes distorted, violins, banjos and guitars to create a fresh, experimental rock sound. www.myspace.com/foryearsblue

* Halfbreed / Seattle, Wash. - Drawing inspiration from fellow rappers Eminem and Nas, Halfbreed is a 16-year-old rapper from Seattle who tells his stories with profound rhymes and magnetic beats. www.myspace.com/halfbreeddemon

* The Oregon Donor / Anacortes, Wash. - With 90s influences like Sunny Day Real Estate and The Promise Ring, The Oregon Donor breathes life into the indie punk rock genre with their bright guitar and bass lines and melodic vocals. www.myspace.com/theoregondonor

SEMI-FINAL ROUND TWO

Performing LIVE in Level Three on Saturday, February 10, 2007:

* Dreamwright / Mercer Island, Wash. - Taking influence from the band Stars, Dreamwright writes emotionally charged, original pieces with intertwining male and female vocals and dreamy guitar textures that shine with melodic indie sweetness. www.myspace.com/dreamwright

* Emi Meyer / Seattle, Wash. - Armed with a piano and all-embracing musical training, Emi Meyer showcases her distinct vocals, personal lyrics and soaring compositions with a sound spanning folk, jazz, rock and pop. www.myspace.com/emimeyer

* Left at the Castle / Mercer Island, Wash. - Showcasing synchronized harmonies, concise lyrics and an acoustic rock vibe, this Mercer Island quintet delivers friendly pop songs reminiscent of Dave Matthews and John Mayer. www.myspace.com/leftatthecastle1

* Natalie Portman's Shaved Head / Seattle, Wash. - Mixing raucous electronica and disco flavored harmonies with clever lyrics that live up to their titles, Natalie Portman's Shaved Head flaunt their fearless energy and style. www.myspace.com/natalieportmansshavedhead

SEMI-FINAL ROUND THREE

Performing LIVE in Level Three on Saturday, February 17, 2007:

* The Army Corps of Architects / Seattle, Wash. - This catchy Bainbridge Island quartet combines indie-folk vocals with bouncy rhythm guitar; evocative of bands like Snow Patrol and The Decemberists. www.myspace.com/thearmycorps

* Black Swade / Squamish, B.C. - Reminiscent of Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden, this Canadian five piece ranging in age from 13 to 14 years old, creates its enormous sound by blending face melting guitar riffs, a Herculean rhythm section, and soaring Dio-esque vocals. www.myspace.com/blackswade

* The Freetown / Seattle, Wash. - Drawing on influences as diverse as rock, reggae and funk, The Freetown evokes stylings of The Fray and G. Love and Special Sauce with a mixture of layered melodies, appealing lyrics and a polished sound. www.myspace.com/thefreetown

* Skullbot / Stanwood, Wash. - With riff-laden bass lines, distorted guitars and heavy drums, this three piece rock band draws influence from Cream and Black Sabbath while maintaining an original hard-edged sound. www.myspace.com/skullbot

FINAL ROUND

Performing LIVE in Sky Church on Saturday, February 24, 2007:

The winning bands from the three semi-final rounds battle it out for first place.

All shows begin at 8 p.m. (doors at 7 p.m.) and the performance order each night is determined by random drawing immediately preceding the show. All shows are all ages. Tickets are $7 for EMP/SFM members and students, and $10 for the general public. -- www.emplive.org