The quest to be crowned 2013 Red Bull Bedroom Jam winners kicked off recently with the competition launch in the Workman’s Club, Dublin.

Last year’s champions, Dingle five-piece Walking On Cars, got the night off to a cracking start. Their set, which included soon-to-be-released single ‘Catch Me If You Can’, laid down the marker for future Bedroom Jammers, many of whom were looking on from the packed floor.
Dublin lads Hudson Taylor, fresh from supporting The Script in Dublin and Belfast, were up next. Brothers Alfie and Harry’s harmonius Irish folk pop went down a treat with a crowd that included 2013 RBBJ judges Nialler9, Spin 103.8 DJ Dara Quilty, and Glasgowbury fest organiser, Paddy Glasgow. Hudson Taylor rounded off the night with an excellent cover, skillfully mashing-up Eminem, Bon Iver and The Police into four minutes of mayhem.
If you’re not familiar with the Red Bull Bedroom Jam and how it works, RBBJ is an online battle of the bands competition with a difference. It’s open to acts nationwide, from Belfast to Bandon and Derry to Dublin, and gives young local talent the opportunity to get a leg up the music ladder and into the industry.
The competition is now live and Red Bull are asking fledgling Irish bands (all members aged 17+, with at least one member under the age of 25) to upload a video to the competition website redbullbedroomjam.ie where, from April 8, the Bedroom Jam Buzz Chart will reveal which of the country’s acts have been the most popular. By monitoring the amount of video views and activity on social networks they will move up or down the Buzz Chart. It’s not just about voting though. It’s a complete social media experience.
From there, six bands will have a live show filmed by the Red Bull crew from the comfort of their own homes, to be subsequently broadcast online. Three of these bands, chosen by the public, will then get out of their houses and play at 2013’s Indiependence, Castlepalooza, Westport and Glasgowbury festivals.
Finally one group will be crowned winners at a live autumn final and claim a first prize that includes a week recording at the famous Grouse Lodge Studio with a top producer, new equipment, and the opportunity to work with some of the industry’s most influential people.
Walking On Cars frontman Patrick ‘Pa’ Sheehy can’t speak highly enough of collaborating with Red Bull and recommends that any young band enter the RBBJ 2013.
“The Red Bull Bedroom Jam was great. When our manager told us we were entering another competition we weren’t really that into it. Then our fans kept voting, kept sharing and liking. Our Facebook and Twitter accounts were off the wall for about six months. And after that the live shows came and we went to Whelan’s and eventually won the competition.
“The experience this year with Red Bull has given us a bit more knowledge about the whole music industry. And our live performance has got a thousand times better because of it.
“I’d definitely recommend the Red Bull Bedroom Jam. It’s a major stepping stone. And they really look after you. Any time we were stuck for anything in Dublin they would hook us up and help us out. It’s been a great year and hopefully thanks to Red Bull we’ll be in an even better place in another year’s time.”
Patrick and fellow band members Sorcha Durham, Dan Devane, Paul Flannery and Evan Hadnett hooked up with top UK producer Tom McFall (who can boast credits with Snow Patrol, Editors and Bloc Party amongst others) at the world famous Grouse Lodge Studios in Co. Westmeath, where they recorded two tracks that will feature on their forthcoming EP.
Patrick was full of praise. “Working with Tom was incredible. It was a real eye-opener. Because we write all our own songs, to have a stranger come in and have an input into everything you’ve been working on takes you outside your comfort zone. And it’s that outside opinion that you need, especially when your head is stuck on the track. So he brought the songs to life a little more.
“Tom came along and had a listen to the tracks and said, ‘Maybe try this here, and that there’, and it’s these little touches that make it special. We’re delighted with how the tracks turned out. We can’t wait to get them out there.”
The band spent a week living the rock ’n’ roll dream in the lush surroundings of Grouse Lodge, which has seen the likes of Michael Jackson, REM and Snow Patrol pass through its doors.
“Grouse Lodge, as a place to play and record music, is incredibly special. There’s a real vibe. We spent a week, got the two tracks done, which we were delighted with. So much so that we raised more money to go back again. It was totally worth it.
“It’s an amazing location. They really looked after us. They fed us well. And the whole complex has a really relaxed atmosphere.”
If that’s not inspiration to enter 2013’s Red Bull Bedroom Jam then we don’t know what is. Get those videos uploaded now!

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