Bands set for battle

Last year's Battle of the Band winners, The Bean Project. Picture: CONTRIBUTED

By JESSE GRAHAM

MUSICIANS from the Yarra Ranges are being called upon to take the stage over the next two months, as the annual FReeZA/Push Start Battle of the Bands comes around again.
The battle, which is open to bands of all ages and genres in the Yarra Ranges, will begin with a heat on Friday 19 June at the Montrose Town Centre.
The Montrose heat is followed by another at Healesville’s Memo Hall on 31 July, with the finalists from both heats battling for the top spot in a show at Mooroolbark Community Centre on 21 August.
Entrants will have the chance to perform live, receive feedback from music industry professionals, meet other musicians and industry representatives and the finalists will have their music recorded for a compilation CD.
Last year’s CD, Battle Stars Vol. 2, featured local bands such as Valerie Avenue, Waiting for Pat, Balter Vada, Calloused Fingertips and The Bean Project, who won last year’s competition.
The Battle of the Bands is also organised by Yarra Ranges Youth Services through the Yarra Ranges Council.
All of the shows will run from 6.30pm to 10.30pm.
Bands of any style, size and genre are encouraged to take part.
For more information, or to enter for either the Montrose or Healesville heat, email s.daly@yarraranges.vic.gov.au, call 9294 6825 or visit www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au or www.thepush.com.au.