Howie Blog: Maurices Hometown Sound search draws more than 800 bands

Voting has opened for the more than 800 bands vying for votes in the Maurices Hometown Sound nationwide band search. The leading hometown specialty store and fashion authority developed the search in partnership with PlayNetwork and Sonicbids.

Meanwhile, building on momentum from last year's contest, which featured 525 bands who received more than 63,000 votes and wide-spread social media attention, Maurices today announced that the chart-topping rock band Evanescence has joined the search as another Partner Artist.

Along with hot global electro soul posters Graffiti6, Evanescence music will be featured in Maurices stores during the competition. The Partner Artists will also promote Hometown Sound to their fans, while offering advice to the contestants in Behind the Scenes interviews available on the band search contest microsite.

"I remember at the beginning of my career feeling like it was a fight and I had a lot to prove," Amy Lee, front-woman of Evanescence, said in a prepared statement. "If there's ever any message, it's just to be yourself."

Lisa Bartlett, Maurices assistant vice president of marketing, said this is an amazing opportunity for the hundreds of talented bands who have entered the contest.

"During last year's competition, we saw communities and artists' hometowns rallying for their friends and family members, which was incredibly inspiring," said Bartlett. "This year, the number of bands competing is up 55 percent, and we can't wait to see which bands make it to the next round."

From today through Jan. 23, 2012, fans can vote for their favorite bands through Maurices' Facebook page or the mauricesmusic.sonicbids.com, narrowing the field to the top 50 musical ensembles. From these 50 bands, a group of panelists, including select Partner Artists, will select four finalists.

The grand prize winner will receive a trip to Los Angeles to shoot a music video with PlayNetwork. They'll also receive gifts from Maurices, as well as the opportunity to perform at a Maurices branded daytime showcase at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas, in March, 2012, with Graffiti6 and other select Partner Artists.

All fans who vote will receive Maurices coupons and will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win one of several Maurices gift cards.