Boss recently held the U.S. National Finals for the Loop Station World Championship 2, its annual international competition for loop-based musicians.
From a field of six talented finalists, loop artist Angela Sheik of Wilmington, Delaware, was crowned U.S. Champion for 2011. With her victory, she will go on to represent the United States at the world finals in March 2012.
The six U.S. looping finalists came to perform before a live audience and a panel of celebrity judges including noted session guitarist and Toto founder Steve Lukather; veteran record producer Michael Lloyd; Snoop Dogg bassist Robert “Bubby” Lewis; GIT Director Jude Gold; and BOSS U.S. Vice President Paul Youngblood at the renowned Musicians Institute in Hollywood.
Loop-based music making is a leading form of musical expression today, and BOSS’ innovative Loop Station products have played a major role in the rise of this art form. Now in its second year, the BOSS Loop Station World Championship provides an opportunity for BOSS loopers from around the globe to compete and showcase their unique musical talents on the world stage.
The six were chosen from hundreds of video submissions received by BOSS during the summer. Each finalist performed an original composition by playing various instruments and creating live loops with a BOSS RC-series Loop Station product. Four of the six also incorporated vocals in their looping presentations. Before the winners were announced, the audience was treated to a set by The Iron Maidens, the world’s only female tribute to Iron Maiden.
(Photo) All the finalists dazzled the audience and judges with heartfelt performances and excellent musicianship. Most impressive was their use of BOSS Loop Stations to support their compositions, layering multiple musical parts together to create exciting and engaging full-ensemble sounds in real time.
In addition to earning the opportunity to represent the U.S. at the world championship in Frankfurt, Germany, during the 2012 Musikmesse music fair, Ms. Sheik received $3000.00 worth of BOSS and Roland gear for her First Place finish.
Second Place went to Chance Gallagher of Boulder, Colorado, while Third Place went to Danny O’Ryan of Clearwater, Florida. The other finalists included Richie Kihlken of Santa Monica, California; Nicholas Stott of Greensboro, NC; and Nate Stein of Berkeley, California.
“The loopers came, and they played their hearts out,” said Paul Youngblood, summing up the judges’ feelings about the six finalists at the end of the evening. “Frankly speaking, there’s no such thing as a winner or loser to me. They’re all are winners. They were great!”
To watch videos of the winning performances and to find info about the upcoming international finals, please visit www.BossUS.com/LoopStation.
More information: Boss
