NEW YORK (Disc Makers) - Disc Makers, the nation's leading independent CD manufacturer, is kicking off the latest installment of the Independent
Music World Series (IMWS), the premier music showcase series for independent musicians. The Northeast showcase finals will take place at New York City's The Lion's Den on October 21, 2004 and will feature the top independent acts as selected by Billboard Magazine performing for $35,000 in music gear and prizes.
Bands and artists can log onto www.discmakers.com/imws to register for the Northeast showcase and find out more information about the IMWS. The competition is open to all musicians not currently signed to a major record label and to all styles and genres of music.
To be eligible for the Northeast showcase at least one band member must reside in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia, or Washington, D.C. Submissions must be postmarked by August 19th, 2004. Each artist that submits an entry will receive a FREE copy of Billboard's Musician's Guide to Touring and Promotion and Electronic Musician magazine.
TAXI, the industry's leading A&R company will select 100 semi-finalists, and the six performing finalists will be hand-picked by Billboard Magazine to perform at the showcase finals at The Lion's Den.
The $35,000 prize package features everything independent musicians need for a career boost including a complete CD manufacturing package, post-production sweetening, and promotional posters from Disc Makers, a complete Digital Audio Workstation from Alienware, IK Multimedia's Studio Bundle recording software, professional Shure microphones, Fender guitars and amplifiers, a 5-piece drum kit from DW Drums, EXL110 Electric Guitar Strings and EXL170 Electric Bass Strings from D'Addario, a free copy of METAJAM from Broadjam, Remo drumheads, a Sabian cymbal package, and a one year membership to TAXI. Additional event partners include XM Satellite Radio and The Aquarian.
"We are delighted to again join forces with Billboard Magazine and our sponsors to help promote independent music in the Northeast," says Tony van Veen, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Disc Makers. "These artists are the ones that keep the music industry energized and thriving, and the IMWS is one of the ways we at Disc Makers recognize their talent and effort, and reward them for their hard work."
The IMWS helps independent musicians make an impact in their local music communities and make connections that can help advance their careers. Recent winners include Detroit's Shipwreck Union (Midwest 2004), Dallas' Deadman (West 2004), Richmond's Bio Ritmo (Northeast 2003), and Memphis' Gamble Brothers Band (Southeast 2003).
