A band from Stanmore and a young musician from the east of the city have made it through to the finals of a music competition which could see them playing live at the House of Commons this Summer.
Scarlet Soho will represent Winchester & Chandler's Ford in the Band Category, while Josh Savage from St Giles Hill beat off strong competition from Teg Down's Jonny Breakwell to secure a finalist position in the solo artist category. Rock the House is Parliament's annual contest to find new and emerging talent and asks MPs to find and nominate finalists from their constituencies.
In judging the local winners, Steve Brine secured the help of two well-known music faces from the Winchester scene; Oliver Gray from live music organisers sxsc and Ben Ward, owner of Winchester's live music venue The Railway.
The MP said; "Rock the House, run by my colleague Mike Weatherley MP, is such a great idea and is really well-established now. I was not surprised to have such healthy competition from Winchester because the emerging talent here is so strong. I guess Frank Turner's incredible world-wide success has really spurred many people on which is all good.
"I know that Scarlet Soho and Josh Savage are really looking forward to 'Rocking the House' and cannot wait for the final. I wish them both well in their respective categories."
Patrons of the event range from rock legends Alice Cooper, Mark Hoppus, Ian Gillan from Pink Floyd and Rick Wakeman.
Mike Weatherley MP added; "The competition celebrates the very best of up-and-coming unsigned British artists and the live music venues that support them. The aim of the competition is to raise the political profile of the importance of intellectual property rights, and live music, among Parliamentarians. The UK music industry is hugely important in terms of employment and overseas earnings. This must be encouraged and protection of copyright is essential to the ongoing ability to pay artists for the work they create."
Over 400 MPs have nominated bands and artists this year with the overall winner getting to play on the House of Commons Terrace on 26th June.
Pictured; Josh Savage, one of the local winners
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