EXHUMED is a nationwide competition for unsigned, unrecorded, unheard, and until now, unwanted bands. EXHUMED celebrates the amateur. It’s not for some old one hit wonder trying to revive a career or for young things on the way up. It’s for those who’ve chosen other paths in life but still love to play.
It’s not for has-beens, it’s not for wannabes, it’s for the never-weres.
Originally created by James Valentine for his 702 ABC Sydney local radio show, the competition received an overwhelming response with 250 Sydney-based bands entering. This expanded version of EXHUMED is a collective project between every ABC Local Radio station in the country, including 1233 ABC Newcastle, ABC Multiplatform, ABC Open and ABC TV. No other media organisation in Australia has the capacity to produce such an enormous cross platform event extending into communities across the country.
James Valentine says this is all about celebrating amateur music making, “We want to applaud those who make music for the fun of it. We want to find those who play for their friends, at fundraisers, at street fairs and school fetes. We want to say, we think you’re fantastic, it’s great what you’re doing and don’t stop doing it.”
“This is not The Voice. We are not looking for a great undiscovered singer. It’s not X-Factor or Idol – we are not about to create a new pop sensation. This is about recognising that there’s a lot of great, passionate, inspired music making going on purely for the love of it”.
Band members must be over 30-years-old, in a band of two or more people, and can play any music genre, but they must be amateur. Anthony Scully from ABC Open will be hosting an information session to help entrants get started with their video at The Cambridge Hotel in Hunter St Newcastle, from 1-3pm on Sunday June 30.
Entries close on July 15 and 1233 ABC will announce their winner at a local concert at Hexham Bowling Club on Wednesday 7 August.
From the local winners, six national finalists will be chosen. The inspiring and action-filled story of uncovering Australia’s top six ‘Best Bands You’ve Never Heard Of’ will be covered in a five-part TV series, hosted by James Valentine, which will screen in November on ABC1.
If you love to play, it’s time to get EXHUMED.
Go to abc.net.au/EXHUMED for more information and entry details.
facebook.com/ABCexhumed | twitter.com/ABCexhumed | #ABCexhumed
For more information please contact:
Niav Owens, A/Marketing Manager 1233 ABC Newcastle | 0417 711 577 | owens.niav@abc.net.au
Angela Scrymgour, Radio Project Manager, EXHUMED – 0488 522 942 | scrymgour.angela@abc.net.au