Local Artist: The New Limb

The OC Music Awards are just around the corner! Showcases of the nominated artists will be taking place all over this great county of ours at The Gypsy Lounge, The Continental Room, The Gypsy Den, OC Tavern, Chain Reaction, District Tustin Legacy, and The Detroit Bar and here's the best part - they're all FREE! That's right, you can see some of the best musical talent Orange County has to offer for the grand sum of zero dollars.

One of the bands you'll want to look for this year is The New Limb (check them out here) from Costa Mesa. Last year they were nominated for Best Live Band and made it to the final round, so this could be their year! Their live show has been the object of praise of many a reviewer and writer. Check out these reviews:

"...When they unite, there are fireworks. If only you could have a band be president, then I would vote for The New Limb." - Ashley Eliot, Host/DJ of KUCI 88.9 FM's Press Pass Music

"No two New Limb shows are quite the same—as they illustrated with their five Detroit Bar-residency shows this past June. They bring this joie de vivre no matter the venue, whether they're busking for puzzled passersby at the OC Super Fair or at a packed House of Blues." - OC Weekly's Best of OC 2009 Issue

[A humorous poster for their recent December residency at The Gypsy Lounge]

The band lives together in a house in Costa Mesa which might explain how they blend perfectly together  in the way only the greatest of family bands like the Jackson 5, Kings of Leon, The Avett Brothers and Oasis do. The band includes Joey Chavez on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Adam Chavez on drums and vocals, Lauren Salamone on keys and vocals, and Dan Perez on lead guitar and vocals. The band is working on their first full-length album in said house as we speak [holds breath in anticipation] that is due out in March.

Needless to say, you won't want to miss their Tues Feb 16th showcase show at The Gypsy Lounge with fellow OC rockers Duress (HB), Dusty Rhodes and the River Band (Fullerton), Stereofix (CM) and The Color Turning (Santa Ana). The show starts at 7:30 and is 21+ (sorry kids).

This years OC Music Awards winners will be decided by a board of music journalists, radio djs, promoters, venue owners, booking agents, and industry pros involved in the local OC music scene. Nominated bands are judged according to musicianship (talent), originality, song composition, stage presence, crowd participation, and overall performance. The nominees for each award category will be announced on Feb 1st. The winners for the Best Live Acoustic and Best Live Band categories will be anounced at their finals on Feb 23rd and 27th while the rest of the category winners will be announced at the Awards night at The Grove on March 6th. To cast your vote for your favorite Orange County bands for the People's Choice Award, visit the OC Music Awards site here.  Best of luck to The New Limb!

- Amy
On my iPod right now: The New Limb's "Autumn Leaves"