MEGA congratulations to our friends Tomten, who just signed with Flat Field Records.

Tomten won Sound Off! last year, later touring to Reykjavik, and performing around the NW at both Bumbershoot and Reverb Fest. In addition to being incredible musicians, they're also very nice people- we're super excited for them!

For those who didn’t catch their performance at Sound Off!, check out this video of their song Tata Dana.

AND, if you are 21+ and in the Seattle area, don't miss their show next Wednesday 2/1 at The Sunset with Danny the Street and fellow Sound Off! alums Kithkin

Find more videos like this on the soundboard

During the 2011 Winter Teen Artist Workshop:Film Acting, Director/producer/actor Ali el-Gasseir helped teens hone their acting and script-writing skills - producing this D.I.Y. Sci-Fi short film: WISH (there are also some EMP education staff cameos!). Register for Mid Winter Teen Artist Workshops, Feb.20th -24th now here.

Live long and…

Workshops for teens entering grades 8--12 this fall

February 20--24, 2012

Rock Band

Spend mid-winter break as part of a killer rock band! Teens will rehearse cover songs, work with peers to create original works, and learn what it takes to be part of a successful band. Instructors will help expand musical repertoire, strengthen instrumental skills, and encourage the playing of new instruments. The workshop concludes with a live rock concert in JBL Theater.

* At least six months experience with an instrument recommended for this workshop.

Science Fiction and Fantasy writing

What makes a good science fiction or fantasy story? Join comic book author Brandon Jerwa (Battlestar Galactica, Highlander, Stargate, G.I. Joe) on a quest for the answer in a week-long sci-fi/fantasy writing class that's guaranteed to be anything but boring. Brandon (and his surprise guests) will talk about spaceships, alien worlds, and mutated household pets--but teens will also learn the secret story elements that keep readers coming back for more.

Songwriting and Performance

Passionate about music and writing? Teens write and perform their own songs in a supportive, creative environment while they explore different styles of songwriting, and gain performance skills and language tools to write songs like their favorite musicians. Participants should be prepared to do some singing!

Questions?

Contact EMP Education at 206.770.2760 or camps@empmuseum.org. To learn more about TAW and register for camps, visit…

This weekend we held the Sound Off! 2012 Orientation Meeting where all twelve semifinalist bands came to EMP, met each other, got professional photo shoots and particpated in a panel featuring some NW music industry pros.

We were joined by panelists Ben London (moderator, Media Rights Manager/Business Dev at HP), Shelby Earl (Musician, former Sound Off! manager), Sol (Sound Off! ’09), John Van Deusen (The Lonely Forest, Sound Off! ’06), Megan Seling (107.7 The End, The Stranger) and Trent Moorman (The Stranger, Mad Rad, Fresh Espresso) who took questions from the bands ranging from touring the West Coast, using Kickstarter, how to find a good booking agent and whether labels are still necessary. Members of YAB were onsite taking photos and sitting in on the panel discussion.

 [Photos by Blaine of YAB]

It was a fascinating day and we had a blast getting to know the bands!!

Just a reminder that tickets for Sound Off! go on sale this Wednesday at 10:00am on www.empmuseum.org. $8 for Students and EMP Members, and $12 General Admission.

Really looking forward to this year’s concerts. AND MORE SNOW.

-j

Want more Sound Off?…