Besides the soon to be sold-out Snoop Dogg show going down tonight, and performances by local bands Feral Children and The Cave Singers, SSG is recommending two events that will feature DIY and up-and-coming bands. You might just find your new favorite band or musician tonight if you go to one of these shows.

EMP Sound Off! Finals @ EMP SFM 3/6  |  8PM | $10

This is the ninth year of the EMP|SFM’s Sound Off! battle of the bands competition for musicians 21 and under to showcase their talents and launch themselves into the local music scene.  The three semifinal rounds have been taking place throughout the latter half of February, and tonight four bands will battle it out for first prize honors.

Candysound is the Bellingham-based duo that won the first round.  SSG Billy McManus describes Candysound’s music as “pretty/catchy hooks, soothing harmonies, with a tight grip on composition” that is as addicting as the sweets they are named after.  They will blow you away, especially when you realize their full sound is produced by only two people.

Sea Cats of Kelso say on their website that “people seem to think [they're] a 90′s throwback band.” Whether that’s true or not doesn’t seem to matter since this all-male power pop band won a round of Sound Off! and is now vying for overall first place.  Their brand new EP was released on February 27, and you can download it online on their MySpace.

Hooves and Beaks consist of solo artist Whitney Flinn whose enchanting harp playing and candid Joanna-Newsome-like vocals blew Sound Off! judges away. She is said to be talented with playing the piano, accordian, banjo, and guitar, as well as the harp.

Great Waves is the final band contending for Sound Off! top honors tonight.  Hailing from Sammamish, this band is led by singer Ashley Bullock whose clear, dreamy vocals enrapture listeners with her talent and revealing lyrics, while the accompanying violin and guitar sounds convey multiple influences of bluegrass, rock, and folk music.

Don’t miss any of these young, talented musicians at the final round of Sound Off! tonight!

Hollow Earth Radio Magma Festival, Day 2/10 @ The Mine | Doors @ 5PM | Donation

The Third Annual Magma Festival kicked off last night and will be running throughout the entirety of March on ten varying days at varying locations.  Hosted by Hollow Earth Radio, this festival is meant to raise funds in support of operating costs of this unique 100% volunteer-run online free-form radio aimed at keeping the local DIY community radio alive. A $50 online donation via PayPal will get you into all ten shows (that breaks out to $5/show!).  Check Hollow Earth Radio’s website for the full March lineup.

Tonight’s Magma Festival show will be at The Mine in Ballard, and ten bands/artists will be featured including A Rich Jensen Intensive, Alex Kostelnik, My Printer Broke, Butts, Human Skab, Al Larsen, Tom Price & Friends, Sleepy Workers, DJ Bruce Pavitt and The Throw Ups.  If you haven’t heard of these bands, keep in mind that they’re all DIY, and since they are sponsored by Hollow Earth Radio, more than likely to be awesome.  Check out Day 2 of the Magma Festival tonight, and plan to be at the rest of the events throughout March!