Fender announces new global competition to support independent artists
Winners will receive 10 hours of professional recording studio time in the UK, US, Mexico, Australia or Japan.
Fender has announced the launch of a new global competition to support independent artists.
The iconic guitar brand has launched the Player Plus Studio Sessions, with winners given the chance to receive 10 hours of professional recording studio time in the UK, US, Mexico, Australia or Japan.
The prize also includes engineer support mixing, Player Plus gear (including a Fender Player Plus guitar) and a mixing credit.
In order to bag the impressive prize, entrants will have to submit a recent single, music video or live performance to best showcase talent and creativity here.
Winners will also receive a one-hour consultation with Ari Herstand, CEO of Ari’s Take. Herstand is also the author of the bestselling book How to Make It in the New Music Business.
A judging panel of music industry heavyweights include Nile Rodgers and Wolf Alice’s Ellie Rowsell.
Other names include Ashley McBryde, Emily Kokal, Joaquin Pavia Wakks and Alastair Burns. (Producers, managers, journalists and Fender executives also make up the panel.)
The company, best known for their electric guitars, is launching the campaign to support the music industry after 18 months of coronavirus-induced chaos.
UK winners will win time at one of five locations. Firstly, in England, London’s RAK Studios, Liverpool’s Coastal Sound Recording Studio, and Sheffield’s Steelworks Studios. Then, the final locations are Chamber Studio in Edinburgh and Camden Recording Studios in Dublin.
Ellie Rowsell said: “Giving a platform to showcase independent artists is really important. I’m also excited to discover some new artists by being on the panel for the Player Plus Studio Sessions!”
Andy Mooney, CEO of Fender, added: “At Fender, we are dedicated to providing artists with the resources they need to fuel their creativity. Player Plus Studio Sessions: Powered by Fender® is the manifestation of Fender’s dedication to artists at every stage of their journey. The hope is this programme will jump start their artistic careers enabling them to fuel their passion to achieve their dreams.”
Bands, solo artists and also instrumental acts are all welcome to enter. They’ll be assessed on their songwriting, performance quality, technical guitar playing ability and creativity.
The recent launch of the independent artist-focused Player Plus series of guitars inspired the competition.
The competition closes on 20 October, with winners announced on 10 November. Recording will take place throughout November and December 2021, then through January 2022 in Australia.
All applicants must be 18+ years of age, play or have a band member play guitar or bass and must be a fully independent artist. Applicants must be able to travel to the nearest selected city and studio as winning does not provide travel to and from the studio.
Other participating studios internationally include:
U.S. Studios: EastWest Studios (Los Angeles), MDDN (Los Angeles), Flux Studios (New York City), Welcome to 1979 (Nashville)
Australia: Sing Sing (Melbourne), Studios 301 (Sydney)
Latin America: Pieza Estudios (Mexico City)
Japan: Freedom Studio Infinity (Tokyo)