Finalists announced for radio’s premier music competition – New Artist 2 Radio (NA2R) event

Six bands and two solo artists have been announced today as finalists in this year’s New Artist 2 Radio (NA2R) showcase, the commercial radio industry’s competition to discover unsigned, independent music artists for commercial radio.

The finalists, chosen from around 300 entrants, were decided by leading music and program directors of commercial radio stations, based on commercial radio play potential.

The finalists are:
Stone Parade – five-piece rock band
Nine Sons of Dan – rock band from the Gold Coast
Taylor and the Makers – three piece band playing a mix of blues, roots and reggae
Danielle Blakey – Sydney based pop/country singer/songwriter
Barry Southgate – singer/songwriter who fuses pop and soul music
The Glass Ceiling – Sydney indie rock act known for its raw edge
The Stellar Affect – four-piece band from Sydney
Bellusira – Melbourne based rock band

Judge, Alan Logan, Network Programme Manager, Australian Radio Network (ARN), said about the finalists: “The quality of entries was high as always, and it's exciting to be hearing from so many talented young Australian artists and bands so early in their careers.  And being able to help launch a career or two is great. Australian commercial radio has always been a huge supporter of Aussie music and this is just another example of the industry really getting involved.”

Judge, Andrew Very, NSW Group Content Director, Southern Cross Austereo said: “What a tough decision! The quality of finalists represents a high standard of acts coming through and deserving of a shot on commercial radio playlists.”

NA2R is a commercial radio initiative which aims to discover and provide support for an up and coming independent music artist to be played on commercial radio across the country. The event is open to unsigned independent artists who have not charted in the top 100 Australian national airplay chart.

The finalists will attend a radio workshop with leading commercial program and music directors and music marketing professionals in Sydney on September 9, where two winners will be announced. The NA2R workshop is an opportunity for independent artists to have direct access to commercial radio music directors and to gain an invaluable insight into how commercial radio works and  how to maximize their chances of commercial radio airplay. In addition, this year, the winners will also be coached about strategic marketing and distribution.  

Chief executive of Commercial Radio Australia, Joan Warner said this was the tenth year the NA2R initiative had been organised:”Commercial radio has always supported new Australian music talent and has been key to raising the profile, and enhancing the careers, of many Australian artists This initiative provides unsigned artists with some fantastic tools, contacts and insights to help them break into commercial radio and the music industry,” Ms Warner said. 

Winners will have the chance of sharing six weeks guaranteed commercial radio airplay, across the day, on the major metropolitan and regional commercial radio networks valued at $1.3 million.
 

The two winners of NA2R will :

• perform at the NA2R showcase event to be held on the Gold Coast on October 14 in front of key music and program directors with one of the winners being invited to perform at the Australian Commercial Radio Awards on October 15

• win a share of commercial radio airplay, across the day, valued at $1.3 million, on the Australian Radio Network, Southern Cross Austereo, DMG Radio, ACE Radio, Prime Radio and Grant Broadcasters for a minimum of six weeks – to ensure maximum exposure.

• get a digital distribution deal with MGM for on line sales via ITunes, Nokia, 3 and Big Pond. All winning singles will be submitted to ARIA and AIR for chart survey.

• gain professional advice from VGM (Media & Marketing) regarding mainstream media, electronic and digital marketing, artist management, sales capacities and digital radio servicing.

Last year’s winners, Radio Ink and The Smart have both enjoyed extensive commercial exposure over the past twelve months debuting as the #1 and #2 most added songs in the country the first week at radio.

Johny Leighton, keyboard player from The Smart, said: “The NA2R event opens the door for commercial exposure which can kick start your band. The international and national exposure from NA2R helped give us the opportunity to support stars like Bon Jovi in concert.”

2009 NA2R winner Emma-Louise picked up 3 Awards this week at the QLD Music Awards.

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Media contact: Jenny Stevenson Ph: (0402) 214 039.  Finalists’ short bios attached.
Pics are available on request.
One track by each finalist can be listened to at www.na2r.com.au

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(Source : Commercial Radio Australia)