This year's 2nd annual Teen Battle of the Bands took place at the Tower Road Branch on Saturday, May 18th from 2-4 pm. The show was hosted by our Teen Music Maker programmer and local artist, Marley The Messenger, and judged by local artists Nadya Nguyen from Via de Luna and Kali Geiger from Porch Swing.
Nadya Nguyen and Kali Geiger (shot by Kristen Grace)
Participants included soloist aajibeh, and the bands Coraline's Collapse, Crimson, and Fish Sticks.
The winners were Coraline's Collapse and aajibeh. Both winners will receive studio time at the Heartwood Soundstage.
Thank you to Heartwood Soundstage for their generation donation!
Thank you to sound engineer Raj, photographer Kione Forrest, and Marley Montano Productions for donating your time and equipment!
Any questions can be sent to Library Specialist, Sofia, through email.
The First Year
Winners: In Full Swing
- Battle of the Bands - Year 1
Teen Battle of the Bands began with the first competition in 2023 at the Tower Road Branch.
Winners: In Full Swing
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Judges: Sky Luca$; Jernie; and Leni from MADWOMAN
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Check out more pictures from Teen Battle of the Bands: Year 1
Thanks to audio engineer Raphdidit, community partner MusicGNV, Eastside Audio for the sound equipment, We Rock Gainesville for the amps, instruments, and drum sets, and Heartwood Soundstage for the winner's prize of free studio time.
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Teen Music Maker Series
Teen Music Maker is a monthly program series hosted at the Tower Road Branch. Teens, ages 12 to 18, are invited to work alongside local musicians, including Marley The Messenger, as they learn to create, record, and edit music using Ableton Live.
Upcoming topics include:
- Music Making Productivity
- Hacks, Tricks, and Secrets of Recording
- Reggae Remix Session
Book & Music List
Gainesville Punk: A History of Bands & Music
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Known for The Fest, Less Than Jake and Hot Water Music, Gainesville became a creative hub in the 1980s and '90s for many of punk rock's greats.
Whether playing at the Hardback or wild house parties, earnest acts like Against Me!, Spoke and Roach Motel all emerged and thrived in the small northern Florida city. Radon burst onto the scene with chaotic energy while Mutley Chix helped inspire local torchbearers No Idea Records. Through this succinct history, author Matt Walker traces each successive generation's contributions and amplifies the fidelity of the Gainesville scene.
Check out music and books about Gainesville's local music scene.
Local Artist Spotlight
Read interviews with Gainesville's local artists and check out their collection recommendations: