It’s BACK! The one and only Artvoice Battle Of Original Music (BOOM)—where original bands from our area submit their material, perchance to be chosen as one of the lucky few who then stand before you on this page, in the fiery crucible of public opinion—that you might visit boom.artvoice.com and listen to their tune.

Then, if they have what it takes to win your approval, they will collect the most online votes this week and win a coveted spot in our FIRST LIVE QUARTERFINAL, which will take place Saturday, November 27, at Nietzsche’s (21+).

Over the next four weeks, you will be introduced to eight of the best original acts that have thus far submitted a photo, an original mp3, and filled out our rigorous questionaire. Each week, the popular online vote will decide who proceeds to the live show where four acts will square off in a no-holds-barred extravaganza of local original music.

That night at Nietzsche’s, each audience member will be given one ballot on which to cast his or her vote for his or her favorite band. At the end of the night, when the tally is completed, only one will have won the right to perform in the Artvoice BOOM Grand Finale—the battle royale, winner-take-all live blowout where one talented act will walk away with unspeakable prizes, a handsome wad of cash, and the eternal privilege to proclaim themselves Artvoice BOOM Grand Champions!

This week, we kick things off with the Thirsty Hurts and the Etchings. Take a moment to meet them on this page. Cast ONE vote for the one you like best. Through the magic of the digital age, we will tabulate the voting and announce this week’s winner in next week’s print edition. That band will be the first to secure a coveted spot on the bill for the November 27 show (21+).

A word of warning however: Bands that attempt to stuff the ballot by submitting multiple votes will be rooted out using the most sophisticated intelligence software available on the black market. (Well, okay, that’s a bluff, but if you try to fool our IT guy you will be caught. Just ask the FBI…he’s that good. And if that happens, you will be disqualified with nowhere to appeal our decision.)

There’s still time for artists to enter. Just visit boom.artvoice.com. In the meantime, check out this week’s contestants, and may the best band win.

The Thirsty Hurts	The Etchings
You must have the latest Adobe Flash Player installed to listen to the BOOM! contestants.	You must have the latest Adobe Flash Player installed to listen to the BOOM! contestants.
When/where did the band form? The band emerged on the underground scene of New York City in December 2009. The creative forces behind the band (Erin and Andre) have just recently relocated to Buffalo this Summer. The new drummer saw the duo perform and liked what he heard. Upon recruiting some friends to join him for a jam session, the band has reformed and we are ready to gig again. Band members: Erin Pardy - vocals, guitar, saxophone / Andre Pilette - bass, backing vocal / Tom Vavo - drums / Mitch Sumner - keyboards / Jacob Galenski - lead guitar You might like us if you like: Ani DiFranco, Radiohead, Zero 7, Andrew Bird, Pink Floyd, Billie Holiday, Charles Mingus and Stan Getz to name a few. Best show played: We played to a capacity crowd at NYC’s premiere underground venue, Crash Mansion, in January 2010. We opened for The Pimps of Joytime (from Brooklyn) for a nightlife party sponsored by Zagat Survey. There were over 400 people at the club and the dance floor was packed for our set. Why you should win the Artvoice.com Online Battle of Original Music: In NYC, we had just begun to pick up steam when we chose to move to Buffalo. We’re just hoping for a chance to let the people of Buffalo get a taste of The Thirsty Hurts through this competition. Website: thethirstyhurts.com	When/where did the band form? The Etchings got together in the summer of 2009, but didn’t really start “rocking and rolling” (to use the parlance of our times) until the fall months, when we found ourselves a Jesse to play the drums. Band members: Nick Randall - guitar, vocals / Rocco Dellaneve - guitar, vocals / Jesse Rejewski - drums / Ben Randall - bass You might like us if you like: Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Radiohead, The Decemberists, Death Cab For Cutie, Grizzly Bear, Margot & The Nukes, Bright Eyes, Wilco Best show played: The Hairy Lemon in Fredonia, NY. All our friends and family were there. Why you should win the Artvoice.com Online Battle of Original Music: We deserve to win because, to put it quite simply, this is it for us. This is what we do. We play music. It’s not just a hobby for us and we certainly don’t have a backup plan. Website: myspace.com/theetchings