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Music: Rock/Pop Video Makes the Radio Star

Combining YouTube's distribution democracy with an American Idol-borne obsession with reality-show sportsmanship, Mezzanine's music-video competition enlists the aid of indie-centric Owl magazine, music/networking site SonicLiving, and the public's unflinching criticism to select five local bands based on the strengths of their posted online clips. Finalists include the new wave-tinged Maldroid, the pop-loving Magic Bullets and Music for Animals, gritty swaggerers the May Fire, and lo-fi bedroom-dance mavens the Ian Fays. The five groups duke it out in real life for schwag and audience appreciation, while Pandora's Internet-radio DJ provides additional entertainment.

– Connie Hwong