Song Search

Remember the last time you came upon a song by a band you didn't know and hadn't heard of before -- some catchy tune that entered your head obliquely but refused to leave? The last time a fresh new sound seemed to open up the world just a little bit more? That's what Song Search is trying to find -- we want to unearth the greatest song you've never heard!

We need your help -- and in this scenario, everyone's a winner. Listeners get to hear great new music; unsigned artists get to reach new fans and compete to win fame, glory and a $5000 grand prize or one of two $1000 second prizes!

Here's how it works: We want to hear from every aspiring Bright Eyes and would-be Andre 3000 in the land. From today until October 20th, any unsigned band/singer-songwriter/act in America can submit one original, never-before-released-online song to be considered. Before entering, please read our Terms and Conditions here -- if you accept, send your song in MP3 format to songsearch@salon.com and include the phrase "I Agree" and the title of your song in the subject line.

A panel of Salon's critics and the Web's top bloggers, including Ultra Girl and Tofu Hut, will then whittle the hopefuls down to 10. Then, starting October 30, we'll release two new songs on Audiofile every week and have them face off, with Salon readers/listeners voting online. We'll also have celebrity judges weigh-in each week with their picks, including Rob Thomas, Chris Walla of Death Cab For Cutie, and other surprise guests. In the final week, the five winners from round one will face each other in a victor-takes-all round of voting, with the champion taking home the Song Search crown and five grand!

So get the band together and hit the garage -- we want to hear your best song!