I’ve been a music fan for as long as I can remember. It probably started when I bought The Four Tops Greatest Hits at age 8. Growing up playing the piano and violin made me appreciate the skill and talent of musicians even more.Fast forward to today. Living in Austin – the “Live Music Capital of the World”– is perfect for me. In fact, you’ll find me at a show any day of the week. It’s through these local shows that I have realized how many friends, family and coworkers are involved in music — and most outside of their regular “day jobs.”
So imagine how thrilled I was to find out that Whole Foods Market® is giving their talented team members an opportunity to let their music be heard. Out of hundreds of submissions, a panel of peers selected ten finalists in Raw and Unprocessed opens in a new tab, Whole Foods Market’s Team Member Music Project.
Now it’s your turn. Your votes will decide the winner and take a team member from aisle 3 to superstardom! The winning band or musician will open for a VHI You Oughta Know opens in a new tab artist in Napa Valley, California at Live in the Vineyard in November. You and a friend could be there, too!
From now until August 31 visit rawandunprocessed.com opens in a new tab, take a listen to each artist and vote for your favorite. You can vote once per day and each vote enters you to win a trip for two to Napa to experience Live in the Vineyard opens in a new tab.
I’ve listened to all the finalists and I have to say I am pretty impressed. Check out the top ten Whole Foods Market team members who rock out when they clock out!
Anita CoatsSong: “A Crack in the Surface”
Team Member: Anita Coats from the Thousand Oaks store in California
A Southern California native, Anita Coats, uses the ups and downs of life as her songwriting inspiration, making her music undeniably relatable.
Learn more and listen to Anita Coats. opens in a new tab
Sad Accordions Song:”Inside Out”
Team Member: Joy Gallagher from the Global Headquarters in Austin, Texas
The band’s 2006 recording “A Bad Year for the Sharons" encompasses and expresses the band's love for a multitude of sounds in music, with the use of brass instruments, violins, cello, clarinet and various other effects, while their 2011 EP marks a creative milestone, as well as a new direction, with more of a focus on collective song writing and collaboration.
Learn more and listen to the Sad Accordions opens in a new tab.
The WelcomeSong: “Don’t Need Detectives”
Team Members: Sarah Johnson from the Gold Coast store and Jonah Kort from the Lincoln Park store, both in Illinois
With dynamic guy-girl vocals, a healthy dose of loud hooks and unrelenting melodies, The Welcome is here to politely rock out while leaving you humming for days.
Learn more and listen to The Welcome. opens in a new tab
Mine All MineSong: “Reasons”
Team Member: Allen Lopez from the Coral Gables store in Florida
Emerging from a diverse music scene equipped with a medley of genres, Mine All Mine has risen out of sunny south Florida, adding a darker wave to indie rock.
Learn more and listen to Mine All Mine. opens in a new tab
Cumbia TokesonSong: “Rueda Morena”
Team Member: Ali Luna from the Santa Cruz store in California
Cumbia Tokeson fuses Peruvian chicha, rooted in 70s guitar and psychedelia, mixing grooves of Colombian cumbia and rock with guitar-driven melodies, while adding reggae, funk, punk and a touch of southern Mexico’s son jarocho.
Learn more and listen to Cumbia Tokeson. opens in a new tab
Jackalope SaintsSong: “Carpenter’s Son”
Team Member: Jay Parshall from the Bridgeport store in Oregon
The Jackalope Saints play string-band music rooted in folk and bluegrass traditions. Adding a twist of soul and stirring the pot, a new sound surfaces: Navy Bluegrass River Rock.
Learn more and listen to the Jackalope Saints. opens in a new tab
It is ISong: “I Want More of You”
Team Member: Zachary Porlier from the Naperville store in Illinois
Influenced by pop rock bands such as Third Eye Blind, Coldplay, The Killers and Keane, this group knows how to present accessible rock songs in unique ways.
Learn more and listen to It is I. opens in a new tab
SourhandSong: “This Time”
Team Members: Matthew Rigdon and Kris Nelson from the Global Headquarters in Austin, Texas
The band’s style/influences range from Toad the Wet Sprocket to Tonic to Foo Fighters. Somewhere right in there you will find them sonically.
Learn more and listen to Sourhand. opens in a new tab
Owl PawsSong: “Sunrise”
Team Members: Derek Schultz from the Haight Street store and Colin Hayes from the Blithdale store, both in California
Owl Paws is a quartet furthering the folk, emo and progressive rock sensibilities of Fleet Foxes, American Football and Circa Survive.
Learn more and listen to Owl Paws. opens in a new tab
Trash Pop IconsSong: “Best of Me”
Team Members: Naomi Zep from the Redwood City store and Nadia Zep from the Los Altos store, both in California
Trash Pop Icons are sisters Naomi and Nadia Zep. The girls describe “trash pop” as a fine mix of rock and pop with just enough rhythm to make you want to dance.
Learn more and listen to the Trash Pop Icons opens in a new tab.
In addition to taking the stage at Live in the Vineyard, the winning musical talent will be the opening act for a VHI You Oughta Know opens in a new tab artist at a public concert in the parking lot of the Whole Foods Market store in Napa. To round out their prize, a professional music video will be created for them and it will be featured in one of VH1’s on-air programs. Plus, they’ll get lots of play on Whole Foods Market’s in-store radio and on VH1.com opens in a new tab.
Visit Raw and Unprocessed opens in a new tab, enjoy some great music, vote for the winner and you could be a winner, too.
So, tell me, who’s your favorite?
