Irish acts to battle it out for a recording contract with Universal Music

Monday 4th February 2008, Vodafone Ireland today announced details of Vodafone Bright New Sounds, the new search for Irish music talent. This unique competition offers emerging acts the opportunity to introduce their music to an audience of over 2.2 million people, whilst vying for the top prize of an exclusive record deal with Universal Music, recording time in Windmill Lane Studios, and much more. Vodafone Bright New Sounds is free to enter and is open to acts of all genres.

From today, fresh talent from across the country can upload their tracks onto www.brightnewsounds.ie. The top 20 entries, as decided by a panel of experts drawn from across the Irish music industry, will be uploaded on the Vodafone live! music store and brightnewsounds.ie. More than 2.2 million Vodafone customers can download the 20 tracks for free for the duration of the competition. The chart positioning of the bands is based on the amount of downloads each track receives. The top five downloaded acts will perform in Tripod Dublin at a gig hosted by riotous comedian PJ Gallagher on 3rd April, where one will be crowned Vodafone’s Bright New Sound of 2008.

The winning act will get the true rock star treatment with an incredible prize package from Vodafone and Universal Music. The winners will record their new single in Dublin’s esteemed Windmill Lane studio. This track will then be released as part of their recording deal with Universal Music’s brand new NoCarbon label. Universal Music will provide full distribution for the single. In addition, to give the winners an extra boost on their way to commercial success, they will receive a professional photo shoot and launch gig with supporting promotional activity.

Entries will be judged by an independent panel of music-industry experts including: Phantom 105.2’s Jack Hyland; Ken Allen of Faction Records; Jackie Hayden from Hot Press and Tom McFall, Producer/Engineer who worked with REM, Bloc Party and Director and will also produce the winning band’s single at Windmill lane.

Speaking at the launch, Vodafone’s Consumer Marketing Director, Carolan Lennon said, “Given the ever-changing landscape of the music industry, we want to help push the boundries by creating a free competition and offering emerging new talent an incredible break to promote their music and be heard. This initiative also provides a new dimension to our Full Track music downloads service.”

All up-and-coming music artists should get onto Vodafone live! or log onto www.brightnewsounds.ie and start uploading tracks. Entries are open between the 4th and 22nd of February.