If you are reading this as the first sentence of my Sound Off! Semifinals review, it’s because I’ve just spent 15 minutes staring at my keyboard contemplating how to begin my recap. Now that we’re over that bump, let’s jump right in. This event was a seriously fun time; props to all the fine folks at the EMP for supporting younger musicians entering the local scene. We live in a pretty fantastic area of the country that’s awash in local artistry, and I had a great time watching an eclectic mix of talented youngsters take to the stage.
I’ll admit it, I went into Sound Off! with some preconceived favoritism. One of my close friends, Paul moonlights as Paul, the keyboard player and vocalist from Champagne Babylon. I’ve got some love for the Champ Baby boys and was stoked to support them at the semifinals. Since Champ Baby was going on first, I made sure to arrive at the EMP with ample time to spare.
Soon after I arrived at the EMP, Champagne Babylon came on stage and began their set. The energy in my area of the audience was electrifying, as all the Champ Baby cohorts had congregated to support the boys. The band played a fantastic show, featuring songs from their upcoming EP, and I look forward to hearing recordings once the record is mixed. The boys even managed to elicit some moshing with their new, louder sound, which I was happy to partake in (shouts out to the EMP for indulging our rowdiness). After playing through their new material, Champagne Babylon made way for the other featured acts.
Nightspace, the second artist of the night, played an electronic set composed of her eccentric brand of darkwave. She laid down live vocals over spacey, bass-y electronic loops, and gyrated to complete the strange, entrancing performance art piece. All in all, I was impressed by the spectacle, and look forward to future Nightspace performances.
Next up was Super Soaked, a couple of pop punk boys from down in Central Oregon that emulate the hard, fast, and whiny sound of artists like Wavves. Although pop punk isn’t typically my cup of tea, these guys were obviously stoked and brought a palpable energy to their show, playing sophomoric ballads with lyrics like “I wish ever girl was a punk rock girl,” and “She was 6-6-6-teen.” They were also super into burping into the microphone between each one of their songs. If this had been a burping on command competition, I have no doubt Super Soaked! would’ve won hands down. Nah, but seeing these guys perform was a fun time.
Rounding off the night was Bleachbear, an all-girl, all-family, all-high schooler band hailing from the Seattle area. Looking around, I felt truly old for the first time in life. The EMP had become filled with teenagers that couldn’t have been older than 14 or 15, kids I’m assuming must’ve been the friends and schoolmates of the girls from Bleachbear. I felt the essence of a Dad filling my soul, bad puns rising in my throat as I waited for Bleachbear to come on stage. Spoiler alert: they did, and they played music too, sweet indie pop that reminded me of sappy tunes I used to dig in my early high school years. Bleachbear’s adorable jams taught me that you’re never too young to become a dad (figuratively speaking, of course).
Once Bleachbear finished their set, the MC reappeared to do a quick audience favorite competition for a secondary prize. The hoards of young Bleachbear affiliates secured fan favorite for their band, winning them a solid pair of headphones. The final judge decisions were then announced, with Bleachbear taking first place and guaranteeing their spot in the finals, and Champagne Babylon in second place, meaning they may randomly be selected as the wild card finalist out of all the second place semifinalists.
Be sure to check out the EMP website here for pictures, band profiles, and sample tracks. The Sound Off! finals will take place at the EMP on Saturday, March 7th at 8:00 p.m.
Dylan Gnatz // KXSU Staff Writer