Congratulations to the 2011-12 winners of the Elfenworks Social Justice Category, who earned $5,000 in cash grants. Winners include the Thirstbusters (UCLA) with their song "Finders Keepers", which took home the first place prize. Second Place went to The Lonely Biscuits (Belment U) for their song "Deep Dish", and third place to Annie Dingwall (USC) for her song, "When The Lights Come On". These artists were recognized at the College Battle of the Bands National Finale in Los Angeles on June 22th, 2012, and officially announced at the Campus Moviefest National Finale on June 23rd, 2012.
The 2012 Winners are Announced.
The Thirstbusters win for their song, "Finders Keepers".
In previous years, $15,000 total in cash grants have gone to winning songs such as: A Moments Worth with their song "Dedicate", which took home the first place prize, runners-up Phonetic One for "A Rock and a Hard Place", Lunic with "Hope (Nothing Left to Lose)", The Beat Advocate with their song "The Other Side" and Eyeshine for their song "Alone" and runners-up including A Silent Canvas for "Close Your Eyes", The Taxi Project with "New", "This Time" by The Constant, and "Lost and Forgotten" by Tsavo.
HOW IT WORKS
Beginning in 2009, College Battle of the Bands teamed up with The Elfenworks Foundation to find music whose message told the stories of those suffering from social injustices. Bring your message home in a creative new way that uses the power of music to open ears, hearts and minds. Possible directions you may choose to follow include:
TOPICAL ANTHEM
Write a new anthem to rock the world for social justice in America, in the spirit of: This Land is Your Land by Woodie Guthrie; Waiting on the World to Change by John Mayer; and Where is the Love by The Black Eyed Peas.
BALLAD
Write a ballad which brings home a personal tale of poverty, inequality or social injusticeexperienced by an individual in America, in the spirit of: Coat of Many Colors by Dolly Parton;He Was My Brother by Paul Simon; and Brothers Under the Bridge by Bruce Springsteen.
LOVE, UNITY AND PEACE
Write a song that motivates people to work together for social justice in America, in the spirit of the great songs on love, unity and peace: Ripple by The Grateful Dead; One Love by Bob Marley; and Fly Like an Eagle by Steve Miller Band.
The top entries will be recognized at the College Battle of the Bands National Finale, where bands will have an opportunity to earn $5,000 in cash grants.
HOW TO SIGN UP
To enter songs for consideration, submit your tracks online here at collegebattleofthebands.com. Then, send an email to socialjustice@collegebattle.com with a link to your song and a brief written statement about how your music fits into the social justice category.
