Battle of the Bands: Harvest Edition
Stingray Music hosted a competition for up-and-coming artists throughout New Brunswick. The showcase was the finale of the Stingray Ringing Stars Competition where the final four performed at the Harvest festival. The Atlantic Lottery Barracks tent was more popular than it has been in years, with nearly 200 audience members shuffling in to dance to the local talent.
The Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival is not only known for hosting astounding acts such as Robert Plant & The Sensational Space Shifters, Five Alarm Funk and more, but for its support of local artists and New Brunswick’s vibrant music scene.
The four finalists were Delirious Monks, Bleum, Les Moontunes and McKinley, Morrison & Williams. Both Delirious Monks and Les Moontunes are inspired by rock, while Les Moontunes and McKinley, Morrison and Williams have a bluesy, upbeat vibe.
From jazzy guitar solos to unique drum performances, it was clear all the bands were enjoying their time on stage. Most bands usually perform at smaller venues or local bars in their hometowns, such as Les Moontunes in Moncton, or at bigger festivals like Evolve where Bleum played this past summer.
Bleum stands alone with their electronic duo. Their music inspires a jumping dance party rather than the swaying relaxed tone that washed over the audience with the other bands. Bleum says if they were to win, it would mean a lot given their competitors and the venue.
“I would just be so thrilled, because I feel like we’re kind of an outlier at this festival. There’s not a whole lot of pop acts so if we won it would feel kinda like we went against the odds almost. It would be an honour,” said producer Daniel James of Bleum.
The winners were chosen by a panel of judges making up 50 percent of the vote, and the audience voting online making up the remaining 50 percent. The judges are from Stingray Music and have experience in the music industry. The mix of audience voting ensures industry experts and locals have a say in the winner.
The winners were McKinley, Morrison & Williams. From Saint John and New York, the three men combined their jazz flare and blues knowledge to offer an exclusive sound that won them $1500, a professionally edited music video from the hosts, Stingray Music, as well as opening the show for Saturday night’s line-up.
