(PROVIDENCE, RI—February 3, 2009) Providence Sound Session is proud to announce the first-ever Sound Session Sound Search—a weekly music contest to find this year’s local rising talent! The contest is hosted every Thursday night by the Black Rep in the Xxodus Café from 9pm-1am.

Each week, local artists from all genres will compete for prizes, including a paid contract to showcase their talent live on a Sound Session ’09 stage. Winners are selected by audience/fans through online voting.

“In curating this festival we pick acts the way a good DJ picks his tracks, making selections that excite, educate, surprise and inspire a crowd,” says Artistic/Executive Director Donald W. King. “Sound Session Sound Search invites our community to participate in this process, while supporting our local artists.”

This Thursday opens with Big Dude Crew followed by Lee Wilson, a 25-year old singer, songwriter, and performer from Boston hailed by Vibe Magazine as the “Top Unsigned Artist in America”. Wilson’s new single "Can I Get Your Number?" will debut live Wednesday Feb 4, 2009 on MTV’s Real World Brooklyn. Wilson’s blend of Pop and R&B live performances have been described by fans as “emotional roller coasters, electrifying, and inspirational.”

Other artists this month include: Middle Eastern fusion group Tevellus on February 12th; Sweet P. Blues on February 19th; and Santa Mamba Feb. 26th.

Providence Sound Session is New England’s premiere week-long, genre defying summer music festival, produced by Black Rep in partnership with the City of Providence’s Department of Art, Culture & Tourism. Each July, an international audience of 50,000 people flock to Providence for seven days and nights of spectacular sights and sounds.

Doors open 9pm. This event is 18+ and there is a $5 cover charge at the door. To find out how you can register to perform, or for more information, please stop in on Thursday nights at the Black Rep or contact Beatriz Oliveira at beatriz@blackrep.org.