Lisburn musicians are 'contenders'

Another Lisburn band, Clown Parlour, will also be featured on the CD, which is due to be launched on September 16.

The lineup was chosen by a panel of over 30 local music writers, radio presenters, DJs and music industry specialists. Each track will be exclusively recorded for this album, making it a unique document of our vibrant music scene.

The chosen acts are: The Wonder Villains, A Plastic Rose, More Than Conquerors, Axis Of, Silhouette, The Farriers, Here Comes The Landed Gentry, Ram's Pocket Radio, Clown Parlour, Pretty Child Backfire, Bellwether State, Colly Strings

Nine of these acts were chosen in the first round of voting. Three others (Pretty Child Backfire, Bellwether State, Colly Strings) gained admission though the 'Wild Card' process, aimed at encouraging talented acts with little or no profile.

Charlotte Dryden, Oh Yeah's Creative Development officer explained: "With the Contenders CD, we hoped to provide a snapshot of the acts who are currently on the rise in Northern Ireland.

"And although the selection process was made difficult by the volume of bands nominated, and the entries received for the Wild Card, we believe the new CD to be as fresh and exciting as we hoped it would."

The 'Contenders' project was made possible by the financial assistance of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

Roisin McDonough, Chief Executive, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, commented: "For many of the featured bands, recording the 'Contenders' will have been their first chance to play and record in a professional music studio.

"We hope this will give them that all important first step towards wider recognition and establishing their professional careers in the music business.

"The success of local bands like Snow Patrol and Ash have inspired a new generation of musicians and proved that if you have the talent and the right support in place, it's possible to secure a spot on the world stage."

The 'Contenders' release follows on from a 2008 release, 'The Oh Yeah Sessions', which showcased acts such as General Fiasco, And So I Watch You From Afar, Cashier No. 9, LaFaro, Panama Kings, Kowalski, In Case Of Fire, Mojo Fury and The Jane Bradfords. Many of those acts have distinguished themselves in the past two years and the hope is that The Contenders will follow suit.

The CD will launch at the Oh Yeah music centre on September 16 at 8pm.

This will be followed by a 'Contenders Tour' sponsored by Translink, staging a series of live shows across Northern Ireland in October and November.