Kiwi band Streets of Lerado has bagged a top award at the Unsigned Only Music Competition. The indie folk group from Auckland, based in Brooklyn, New York, took the first prize in the Adult Album Alternative category of the U.S.-based awards body with their track “Girlfriend.”

The four-piece band’s winning song was described to be “especially impressive” and “infectious, catchy, and creative” at the awards competition, scoring them a unanimous win in the AAA category.

“With more than 9,000 entries from all over the world, Unsigned Only was very competitive, and the finalists impressed the judges with the immense talent displayed. Especially impressive was the Kiwi band Streets of Laredo who were a unanimous winner in their category,” founders Candace Avery and Jim Morgan said.

“They encompass everything that should make a major label take notice and sign them now – before someone else does. They are that good.”

Streets of Laredo consists of brothers Dan and Dave Gibson, Save’s wife Sarahjane Gibson, and Si Moore.

They came ahead of the second placer Skipping Girl Vinegar from Melbourne, Australia, and were defeated by the overall grand prize winner Wes Mack from Canada, who took home $10,000 cash prize and were given the opportunity to be mentored by top executives from recording companies.

Unsigned Only is a new approach to music competitions, with judges including leading names in the industry, such as Chrissie Hynde (The Pretenders), Iggy Pop, Neon Trees, Carly Simon, Dustin Lynch, John Oates (Hall & Oates), 3 Doors Down, and Cyndi Lauper.

The complete list of winners at the Unsigned Only Music Competition:
Grand Prize – Wes Mack, “Duet” (Calgary, Canada)

Adult Album Alternative
1st Place: Streets of Laredo, “Girlfriend” (Auckland, New Zealand)
2nd Place: Skipping Girl Vinegar, “Chase The Sun” (Melbourne, Australia)

Adult Contemporary
1st Place: Jerzy Jung, “I Hope” (New Jersey, USA)
2nd Place: Mikey Wax, “Counting On You” (New York, USA)

Christian
1st Place: Paul Stephens, “Wonder” (Los Angeles, CA, USA)
2nd Place: Skyhawk Drive, “Whisper” (Greencastle, PA, USA)

Country
1st Place: Fairchild Brothers, I Have Your Touch” (Toronto, ON, Canada
2nd Place: Rachel Honza, “Anonymous” (Nederland, TX, USA)

Folk/Singer-Songwriter
1st Place: Heymun, “By Sea” (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
2nd Place: Ben Glover, “Melodies of Midnight” (Glenarn, Northern Ireland)

Pop/Top 40
1st Place: Ginger And The Ghost, “Where Wolf” (Sydney, NSW, Australia)
2nd Place: Miracle Bell, “Love Sounds” (Dublin, Ireland)

R&B/Hip-Hop
1st Place: Teri ‘Lyric’ Green, “Death Of A Poet” (Crown Point, IN, USA)
2nd Place: Tia P., “I’m Already Tomorrow” (Inglewood, CA, USA)
Rock
1st Place: The Deans, “Lonely Like Me” (Galway, Ireland)
2nd Place: Stefan Weiner, “Say I’m Strong” (Northampton, MA, USA)

Teen
1st Place: Darla Beaux, “Rebel Soul” (Las Vegas, NV, USA)
2nd Place: Lena Fayre, “Silver” (Los Angeles, CA, USA)

Vocal Performance
1st Place: Nehemie, “Tainted Love” (Miami, FL, USA)
2nd Place: Nikisha Reyes, “So Cold” (London, England)

Watch the music video of “Girlfriend” by Streets of Laredo:

Also read:
Selena Gomez Covers Lorde’s Hit ‘Royals’ [Read]

Pyramid Rock Festival Cancelled Due To Poor Finances [Read]

RELATED STORIES