As of last night at 9pm EST the Top 10 (well, 12) was announced for the 2013 Outlaw Roadshow showcase at SxSW. In all, I’m proud to say that there were 3,594 band submissions and well over 3 million votes collected … yet still, in no particular order, I made it into the Top 12, the final round. What a relief!?!
Without a doubt, I have my fans to thank for this. Between the multiple rounds of voting and general noise-making, they went to bat for me in a massive way and made my name known amongst the competition. I really can’t say it enough: a most sincere THANKS to ALL that voted, posted, etc … you are the greatest army.
All of that said, there is still one more round to endure. It is my understanding that Adam Duritz himself (aka the lead singer of Counting Crows … aka my hands-down favorite band of all time … aka my absolute biggest musical influence EVER … aka the person I’ve always said is atop my bucket list of people to meet) is personally going over the list of top contenders and hand-picking one sole winner to perform at his Outlaw Roadshow showcase in Austin. This is exhilarating, terrifying and surreal, all at once.
EXHILARATING:
Because the numbers are simply heart-warming. In my 13 years of grinding away at this thing called music, there have been soul-soaring peaks and soul-sucking lows. To know that amongst 3,500+ submissions, my fans lifted me up amongst the best, well, that is an exhilarating peak.
TERRIFYING:
Because my absolute biggest musical idol on the planet is going to personally hear my music and judge me, for better or worse. Much of what I do today is because of him and his early impact on my craft, therefore, if he doesn’t choose me, I’m scared of what that might do to my confidence — terrified actually. This is the opportunity I’ve always dreamed about (“…if I can just get my music in front of him…”) so I’m scared that his innocent “rejection” will trump the impressive fan “acceptance” that was demonstrated in the previous round of voting.
I’m a confident person. I’ve made it through worse … but this will be an odd test of my resilience.
SURREAL:
Because my absolute biggest musical idol on the planet is going to personally hear my music and judge me, for better or worse. Yes, same reasoning as above but with a glass-half-full spin. At the end of the day, my absolute biggest musical idol will know my name — that, to me, is a surreal moment of self-realization toward this achievement and the all-around level that my career is at right now. Surreal, huh?
Again, a huge thanks to all who voted on my behalf and supported me along the way — I hope to have good news for you tomorrow (when the winner is announced). However, if my name isn’t called, I can honestly say we fought the good fight and that I’m honored to have led us this far. Stay tuned.
BIG CONGRATS TO BOTH TOP 12s!!
MUSIC WEEK:
Suki Low
Love and .38
Alexander Cardinale
2/3 Goat
Apollo Run
Belmont Lights
Hazeland
Steven Roth
Jane Thatcher
Reynolds Number
At Sea
Alex Boye
INTERACTIVE WEEK:
Precise
Hero’s Last Mission
Odoghan
Danger Maker
MoleHill
Roem Baur
Matt Sucich
Tyler Stenson
Acoustic Minds
Zoe Ann
The Bob Band
Hierosonic