Unsigned musicians and bands across North America and in select countries in Latin America have until Monday, Aug. 20, to sign up for their shot at stardom. By uploading two original songs in video or audio format, a photo, a bio and contact information, aspiring superstars can enter Project: Aloft Star for a chance to kick-start their careers.
To inspire local emerging artists to enter the contest, Tank and the Bangas will perform a free sold-out Project: Aloft Star Tour concert tonight at the Aloft Hotel, 225 Baronne St., at 7:00 p.m.
The winner of Project: Aloft Star, sponsored by Aloft Hotels and Universal Music Group & Brands (UMGB), the brand strategy division of Universal Music Group (UMG), will be awarded a one day recording session at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles with four hours of recording time and eight hours of mixing and mastering time; four 30-minute phone calls with UMG label personnel to talk about digital single recording and how to release a product; the opportunity to enter into a distribution agreement with a Universal Music Group label in connection with the digital release of a single master recording; and 500,000 Rewards points that are redeemable for Marriott International hotel stays and other premiums.
The first-ever Project: Aloft Star Tour celebrating UMG artists, will also offer perks to members of Marriott’s award-winning loyalty programs Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) and Marriott Rewards, who will get preferred access and free drinks during the event from Aloft’s W XYZ bars.
“Aloft Hotels is a terrific partner that shares our dedication to the artist community,” said Mike Tunnicliffe, executive vice president of UMGB. “At UMG, everything we do starts with our commitment to fostering emerging talent. This year’s Project: Aloft Star Tour not only promotes this competition but also provides our developing artists with an opportunity to reach new fans across the country. We’re thrilled to expand our relationship with Marriott International, and we continue to work together to build progressive long-term campaigns together.”
The competition’s future music moguls will be evaluated by a panel of judges from UMG, Aloft Hotels and live music discovery platform Bandsintown, who will be looking for artistic composition, audience appeal, content, entertainment value, marketplace relevancy, originality and performance quality.
Three finalists will be selected and receive a mentoring session from X Ambassadors. Starting Monday, Sept. 17, through Monday, Oct. 22, fans will vote for their favorite artist online. On Thursday, Nov. 1, the three finalists will perform at the Project: Aloft Star finale at Aloft Austin Downtown where a winner will be announced.
“We were lucky to have so many wonderful mentors growing up,” said Sam Harris of X Ambassadors. “We're thrilled to be working with Aloft Hotels to support emerging talent as this year’s Project: Aloft Star Mentor.”
Aloft Hotels is hosting the Project: Aloft Star Tour to promote the competition, UMG-signed musical acts and the Aloft brand’s signature W XYZ bars.
Years & Years in Philadelphia kicked off the mini-tour on Saturday, June 23. Tank and the Bangas perform tonight in New Orleans followed by Bea Miller in Asheville, North Carolina, on Tuesday, Aug. 21; Stanaj, along with Fátima Pinto, in San José, Costa Rica, on Friday, Sept. 14; and BANNΞRS in Denver on Wednesday, Oct. 17. The final stop of the tour will be on Thursday, Nov. 1, when the three finalists vie for the title and prizes in Austin.
“Aloft Hotels has always been the brand for music makers and music lovers, but now through our collaboration with UMG, we’re able to support emerging artists in a more meaningful way than ever before,” said Toni Stoeckl, global brand leader of Aloft Hotels and vice president of distinctive select brands for Marriott International. “The opportunity to record a single with one of UMG’s prestigious labels and receive dedicated mentoring from the best in the industry is very rare, and we’re so glad to be able to bring this to emerging talent all over the world.”
Up-and-coming talent from around the world will shoot for superstardom too with three additional global Project: Aloft Star competitions in the Asia-Pacific, Europe and United Arab Emirates geographical regions.
