Four Northwest bands vie for Bumbershoot slot at Sound Off! finals

The final show of Experience Music Project|Science Fiction Museum's 10th annual Sound Off! battle of the bands will be held this Saturday, pitting four local groups against one another as they vie for a coveted spot in this year's Bumbershoot lineup.

Renton-based bluegrass group Northern Departure will join two Seattle bands — alternative pop band Fit For Hounds and quirky rock/pop group Tomten — along with last week's semifinal addition The Oh Wells, from Surrey, B.C.

The competition showcases young (21 and under) talent from the Northwest, with the first place winner securing a slot in the 2011 Bumbershoot lineup and a live on-air performance for 107.7 FM, among other prizes. The second place band earns a spot in this year's Northwest Folklife Festival.

Sound Off! has helped launch quite a few local bands over the years, including Great Waves, Dyno Jamz, Dyme Def, New Faces and Brite Futures.

A panel of judges selected three of the bands during semifinal bouts over the past month, and one "wild card" was chosen from a group of crowd favorites. The wild card this year was Tomten.

The four bands have one last shot to play to the crowd on Saturday.

Nick Visser: 206-464-3263 nvisser@seattletimes.com