For a third straight year, Vita.mn asked Twin Cities bands to give us their best for the Are You Local? new-band contest. A whopping 236 acts obliged, the public voted online, and three finalists emerged. If you're doing the math, that means they beat odds of 1.27%!

This year, we're proud to unveil three groups with virtually nothing in common, other than being all-in with their music -- from rowdy rockers the Japhies to ambitious indie-poppers Prissy Clerks to stardom-seeking rapper Xavier Marquis. The three will throw down Friday at 7th Street Entry during our Are You Local? showcase. The winner will join our First Avenue Mainroom lineup that same night, and win a spot at Vita.mn's South by Southwest showcase in Austin, Texas, on March 16.

Read about the bands and come out Friday to find out who will take this year's AYL? crown. It's gonna be a bloodbath -- of feel-good communal vibes, that is.

VITA.MN'S ARE YOU LOCAL? SXSW SENDOFF

  • Mainroom: Astronautalis, Peter Wolf Crier, the Blind Shake, Pink Mink, Fort Wilson Riot.
  • 7th Street Entry: Contest finalists the Japhies (7:30 p.m.), Prissy Clerks (8:15) and Xavier Marquis (9). Winner plays Mainroom at 10 p.m.
  • More event information

VITA.MN'S MN MUSIC SHOWCASE AT SXSW

PAST ARE YOU LOCAL? WINNERS

2011: The 4onthefloor