DeKalb has historically had a pretty decent local music scene.

Usually in DeKalb, there is a show almost every night somewhere in the city. There are multiple awesome venues, and as a whole, many opportunities for small bands to gain a solid following. Yet it seems lately that the same bands are playing every gig, and most of us know that for a scene to thrive, it needs fresh blood.

So, that’s what the Northern Star is here to do. Local bands slave away in garages and basements and never get any attention. Some even lose inspiration after writing only a handful of songs and give up. So, in the hopes that DeKalb will tune into some new music, the Flavor Section is running a competition.

Are you in an unsigned band that has had nothing released on a label? Do you know someone from DeKalb who is? Send us a demo, here at the Northern Star. The format is irrelevant, and we will accept all submissions that meet the requirements. The demo must contain at least 2 original songs, and the band must have at least one member who lives in DeKalb and have no previous record label (no matter how small) exposure.

So, to reiterate, here is the deal: send us a package with your bands contact information and a demo. The Flavor Section will begin to stream the music online, and users will be allowed to listen to the demos and vote on a winner. The winning band will then be the subject of a feature interview in the Northern Star.

That is not all, though. The winning band will then have more of their music posted up for streaming on the Northern Star Web site (www.northernstar.info) with a link to their web site until December 6th. Why December 6th? Because that is the date that the winning band will headline their own showcase at Dekalb’s own House Café.

John Ugolini, the booking agent for Kickstand Productions who would be running the show, will also be listening to all the submissions, so there is hope for bands that do not take the crown. The winner will get the stage on the last weekend before final exams, so hopefully they will be playing to a packed house. Hopefully, we will get loads of submissions from all kinds of great unsigned bands. Even if your band is not the winner, you still have the experience of pressing a demo and sending it in and being excited.

Isn’t that what music is all about?

So, from every emcee rhyming over Fruity Loops, to any indie-rock band longing for a couple decent gigs, here is your chance.

Get out of your garage and onto the stage with some help from the Northern Star!