Since 1998, state musicians have utilized an advantageous component of the Triangle music scene -- the North Carolina Songwriters Co-op.
The brainchild of Tom Johnson of the Triangle Folk Music Society, the nonprofit group propels artists by means of open mic nights, promotion and an overall cooperative environment.
The organization also stages an annual songwriting contest. The fifth contest lured eight finalists to the Carrboro ArtsCenter on Saturday night.
The finalists were chosen from over 100 entrants to perform to the tune of several cash prizes, gift certificates and free recording time. Each artist, introduced by local emcee and songwriter John Saylor, played two songs to an audience and panel of judges.
While any variety of music is welcome in the contest, it generally attracts musicians of the acoustic soloist brand.
But your typical, hackneyed acoustic pop this was not.
The performers possessed their own quirks and flavor despite the otherwise formulaic contest structure.
Third-place winner Rob Bodle lyrically satirized the absurd excess of SUVs. Finalist Tracy Feldman's dancing fingers alternated between the strings of his guitar and its hollow body, where he tapped a loose beat. And last year's first place winner, Jason Harrod, played an assortment of jazz compositions coupled with archaic Civil War folk melodies.
Finalist Aaron Chappell's plugged-in band Alabaster Suitcase provided a brief digression from the overarching acoustic taste of the contest. The only standard four-piece band of the night, the group of young contestants played an emotion-laden variety of pensive rock and roll.
