The Gold Coast Arts Center is gearing up for the fifth annual "Your Big Break" Showcase Series coming in 2017, and submissions are now open. Taking place Jan. 28, Feb. 11 and March 11, the Gold Coast Acoustic Cafe and Love Revolution will once again search for the next big thing to come out of New York with help from the music industry at Great Neck.
There is an open call for submissions for all musicians age 15 to 25 that 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. There is no fee to submit on reverbnation.com.
Or to submit to the showcase, send one MP3 song, one photo and a short bio to [email protected].
Earlier this year, Your Big Break crowned 19-year-old singer/songwriter Matt Grabowski the winner, along with great performances by semifinals headliners Youth Be Told and Katie Zimmer, round two headliner Annika, as well as finalists SEE and Zofolk.
Prizes include: the chance to open for national acts at major venues like The Emporium, recording time at IndiMusic Studios and online TV streaming opportunities on IndiMusic TV, a feature at Reverbnation.com, a PR and social media campaign including management, booking and label services consultation with Rick Eberle Agency, musical equipment from All Music Inc. and more. Performers in the competition also had opportunities to network with music business professionals including judges like Lou Plaia, Jerry Lembo, Stephen Marcuccio, Guy Brogna, Chris Pati, Linda Ingrisano, Tara Eberle Drouin, Mark Ambrosino, Tito Batista and others
, while the audience also had a vote in determining the winner.
Mentors assigned to the finalists also work to help them hone their craft before performing at the finals. 2017 mentors are still TBD—last year's were singer/songwriter Ryan Star, John Hampson of Nine Days and songwriter/producer Ido Zmishlany.
The Arts Center is transformed into the Gold Coast Acoustic Café once a month; a music venue that showcases local up-and-coming talent as well as established music acts. With its black box theater performance space and a lounge in the art gallery, the Gold Coast Acoustic Café is one of the few small music venues around which makes for an intimate atmosphere for artists and audience alike, especially during Your Big Break. Other past artists who have performed in the headline slots have included: Iridesense, John Hampson of Nine Days, the Brady Brothers and Sir Cadian Rhythm—all of whom are local musicians who’ve had success in the industry, with hopes to further inspire the next generation of New York stars presented each year.
For more information, visit goldcoastarts.org/yourbigbreak.
