Unsigned Only Competition Announces Semi-Finalists

Five Manitoba acts are on the semi-finalist list for new music competition Unsigned Only. Independent artists from across the globe submitted songs to the competition for a chance to win prizes, recognition, exposure, and the opportunity to be heard by some high profile judges.

Hip hop outfit Abstract Artform is a semi-finalist in the R&B/hip hop category for "Things Ain't What They Used To Be". Rapper Catskill is in the same category for his song "One of a Kind". Heather Longstaffe's song "Wish I Could Hate You" and Jaylene Johnson's "When It All Goes South" are both vying  for the country category. Sons of York are up in the rock category for "Sweet Sarah". Newcomers The Treble have their song "M.I.A." listed in two categories, folk/singer-songwriter and pop/top 40. 

Judges include St. Vincent, Cyndi Lauper, Kelly Clarkson, Matt and Kim, The Mountain Goats, Paste Magazine co-founder/editor-in-chief Josh Jackson, Stereogum founder/editor-in-chief Scott Lapatine and more. The list of mentors includes presidents and VP's from Universal Republic, Atlantic, RCA, Razor & Tie, and more.

The grand prize winner, which will be announced in July, will be awarded $5,000 in cash (plus additional prizes) and one-on-one mentoring by an elite group of record company executives. Click here to see all 272 semi-finalists.