SMI Radio Ep. 86 On Demand: Vicci Martinez and Ben Short (Unsigned Only)

by Greg Roth

photos by Michael Profitt

Unsigned Only is a unique international music competition geared toward solo artists, bands, and singers who are not signed to a major label record company.

UO is looking for an outstanding, talented performer… the “gem” of an artist waiting to be discovered. Unsigned Only has a highly esteemed judging panel, including Neon Trees, Carly Simon, Iggy Pop, Chrissie Hynde (The Pretenders), Brandi Carlile, Eve, and many more.

On this week’s episode of SMI Radio, I catch up with Unsigned Only’s Ben Short to gain more insight to how UO works, how it got started, and the unique opportunity that it offers unsigned, emerging artists.

You will also hear some tracks from past UO winners, Lara Johnston and Laura Steel.

UO is still accepting song entries. Contestants interested in submitting songs for the competition can do so here. 

Specific days and runtimes of this week’s episode are available by scrolling down…

In the second half of the show, Tacoma native Vicci Martinez is back on SMI Radio. Vicci dials in from the road, as she makes her way back to to the Northwest to play several dates, which include a show in Bellingham on Thursday, May 14 and a special St. Patty’s Day show on Sunday, March 17 at her old stomping grounds, Jazzbones in Tacoma. Tickets for that show are available here.

Vicci is also in town to make her first video, which will include several friends and associates as extras. She’ll drop some hints on the concept of the video.

Her single, Come Along, which she recorded with Cee Lo Green, has gotten a second life, thanks to her constant touring and radio airplay. You can get it on iTunes, Amazon.com and Bandcamp.

Although Vicci has been spending the last couple years in LA, based on our conversation, her heart still remains in the Northwest.

For past episodes of SMI Radio on the go, click on any of the icons below…

Listen to SMI Radio streaming each week…

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• Thursday night at 11:00pm (Eastern Time) / 8:00 (Pacific Time) on: Rok Out Radio (Scranton, PA)
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• Wednesday night at 9:00pm (Pacific Time) / midnight on:  Seattle Wave / Night Out Radio