Nothing says romance like a battle of the bands

Blah, blah, blah ... love. At least, that’s how I could start a column falling so close to Valentine’s Day. There’s nothing that gets a writer’s cliché gland pumping quite like the imminent arrival of a holiday and a blank screen that needs to be filled.

In defense of that approach, it’s not much of a stretch to link music to VDay. After all, Barry White is as intrinsically tied to the holiday as champagne and chocolate, and nothing says “I love you” like a wellcrafted mix tape (except a puppy wrapped in diamonds, perhaps).

Much as it pains my inner creative sloth, however, there is actual news to report this week, so a jaunt to Clichéland is unnecessary.

Once the submissions have been locked in, organizers at Chattanooga Presents will whittle them down to a final pool of 24 bands, which will be announced Feb. 21. These semifinalists will then take the stage at Rhythm & Brews on March 14, 15, 21 and 22 to compete in rounds to be decided by popular vote. Four finalists will then perform March 29 for a headlining slot during this year’s Nightfall season, which runs Fridays from May 11 to Sept. 7.

The competition is the brainchild of local musician and Chattanooga Presents marketing and media director Jonathan Susman, who modeled it on Road to Bonnaroo, a similar event held annually in Nashville.

Last year, Susman said, the Road served a vital role by exposing audiences to new local artists and bringing together bands who otherwise might never have met.

“That was my goal and still is my goal,” he said. “I think there’s so much great music that people don’t know exists out there, and it’s really professional.”

As opposed to the first Road to Nightfall, this year’s winner will not be decided by popular vote but by a panel of judges, who have yet to be identified.

Considering the prize includes the aforementioned headlining slot and $1,000, I’d say putting together an application is worth angering a significant other. Besides, if they win, a grand will buy a lot more flowers and chocolates than most musicians could afford anyway.

All kidding aside, I thought the Road to Nightfall was an excellent idea, and I’m happy to see it was received enthusiastically enough to warrant a second round. And if the busy schedule of last year’s winner, WTM Blues Band, is anything to judge by, it’ll certainly help the victor fill out their schedule quite a bit.

Besides, if you ask me, local musicians deserve as much love as they can get. (Yes, I know that was a cliché. Get over it.)