Provo-based band Brumby took first place in the Battle of the Bands at the Velour Live Music Gallery on Saturday, June 14.
“I felt very good about the show,” said Oliver Tingey, Brumby frontman and lead singer. “There was some serious competition; it wasn’t a sure win at all. All the other bands were really good. We lucked out.”
The winner was determined by a panel of judges consisting of local musicians, producers and others involved in the music scene, including Mindy Gledhill, Mimi Knowles and Michael Hansen.
“Overall they had the best of everything,” said Michael Hansen, a local music supporter who has judged the last three Battle of the Band competitions at Velour. “They had good crowd response, were very entertaining to watch, had good music and a different style than everybody else. It was refreshing.”
Brumby took home a prize package of free recording studio time to put toward recording new music, cash, a photo shoot at a local studio and tickets to Velour concerts throughout the year.
They were one of five bands in the final, all of which are based in the Provo and Salt Lake City areas. Competitors included Queenadilla, Coin in the Sea, The May Reunion and Static Waves.
“Even though we didn’t win, we had a great time just being here,” said Queenadilla lead singer Chase McKnight. “It’s always good to bring people together like this, and it feels good when everyone in the room is having a good time.”
Saturday was the culmination of four preliminary heats that took place each night of the last week. Four bands played each night, and the winner from each heat went on to the final on Saturday.
Tingey said this is only motivation to continue working toward their goals.
“Nothings’ going to change; we’re just going to keep working,” Tingey said.
For more pictures and videos of the event, and to learn more about the bands, see Velour’s Facebook page.
