It’s that time of year again. Heading into its seventh year, the Gold Coast Arts Center, Love Revolution Org., and the Rick Eberle Agency are getting ready for another outstanding year of searching high and low for the “next big thing” in music as the Your Big Break showcase series returns in 2019.
Submissions are now open through Sunday, Jan. 6 for those aspiring artists who think they have what it takes to be the newest act the music industry has been waiting for.
There is an open call for submissions for musicians ages 15 to 25 living on Long Island and in all five boroughs of New York City, and who do not currently have a recording or publishing contract to submit for the showcase events. Interested artists must perform with a band or solo with an acoustic guitar or sing to a backing music track. Though artists will be judged in areas from stage presence to overall musicianship, Your Big Break is primarily a singing competition. There is no cost to submit.
Interested artists are encouraged to email one MP3 song, one high-resolution photograph, and a short biography of themselves to gnacbigbreak@gmail.com. Submissions can also be entered on ReverbNation’s website by following this link: https://bit.ly/2G8quOb.
Earlier this year, All Types of Kinds, a New York City-based alternative band consisting of guitarists Billy Conahan, Ray Rubio, and Rocco Stoker, along with percussionist Berk O was crowned the 2018 Your Big Break champions. They play a wide variety of music ranging from rock to pop, folk, punk, funk, hip-hop, blues and country — even sometimes all at once. The band’s members come from diverse backgrounds that make for an amalgamation of musical textures and vibes. Their EP, “Love Songs (Or Songs For Your Ex)” debuted earlier this year, and they are currently performing all over the country.
Past winners Paris Ray, Youth Be Told, Katie Zimmer, Annika, and Matt Grabowski and finalists SEE, and Zofolk all have gone on to work with major producers, managers, and agents. Past artists who have performed in the headline slots have included: Brooke Moriber, Lem Payne Jr., Iridesense, John Hampson of Nine Days, The Brady Brothers and Sir Cadian Rhythm, all of whom are local musicians who have had success in the business and will hopefully inspire the next generation of New York stars presented at Your Big Break each year.
Judges of the Your Big Break competition have included some of the music industry’s elite such as ReverbNation.com’s Lou Plaia, All Music Inc.’s Guy Brogna, songwriter Tara Eberle Drouin, producers David Caggiano and Richy Petrello, and label executives Stephen Marcuccio, Jerry Lembo, Linda Ingrisano, and Mark Ambrosino. Judges for this year’s competition will be announced soon.
Mentors are also assigned to the Your Big Break finalists and will work to help them hone their craft before performing at the finals. Among last year’s mentors were American Idol’s Robbie Rosen, Dream Recording Studio’s Jason Melker, Sojourn Record’s Mark Ambrosino, producer/songwriter and former VP of A&R at Atlantic Records Jimmy Bralower, singer/songwriter John Hampson of Nine Days, singer/songwriter Ryan Star, and songwriter/producer Donnie Klang of MTV’s “Making the Band”, songwriter/producer Ido Zmishlany, and others.
Your Big Break prizes include:
● The chance to open for national acts at Revolution Bar & Music Hall in Amityville (Tom Angenbroich, Loaded Concerts);
● Recording Time at The Loft Sound Studio (Donnie Klang, Matthew LaPorte, The Loft);
● PR and social media campaign including management, booking, and label services consultation with the Rick Eberle Agency (host);
● Musical equipment from All Music Inc (Guy Brogna, judge) and ZOOM North America (Stephen Marcuccio, judge);
● Feature on ReverbNation.com (Lou Plaia, judge);
● Feature article in Good Times Magazine (Rich Branciforte, judge).
Each evening of the Your Big Break competition is capped with a special headlining performance. Past artists who have performed in the headline slots have included: Buddhist Priest, Iridesense, John Hampson of Nine Days, The Brady Brothers, and Sir Cadian Rhythm — local musicians who have had major success in the industry, with hopes to inspire the next generation of New York stars presented each year.
