FAQ's

The Contest and Registering:

1. By entering the contest could I really be considered for the new management company VPS Management?

   Absolutely. It was based on the success of last years "Fast Track To FIB" 2009 that SupaJam and Vince Power decided to join forces and create a new management and publishing company - VPS Artists Management. We signed our first act based on the strength of their performance at last years London final.

   Ever year we will be selecting up to 6 bands to manage and publish. Bands will be able to get exposure at massive festivals such as FIB Benacassim and The Hop Farm as well as the legendary Pigalle Club in London. Not only that but Supajam will be actively promoting you both online and offline with huge companies such as Apple and Sony. 

2. How Does The Contest Work?

      You are asked to submit up to two original music tracks that either yourself or your band have created. All tracks will get uploaded on to the Supajam website and put to the public vote. The Top 40 acts, as voted for by both the public and the Supajam panel, will go head to head for the final vote. The top five tracks as voted for by both the public and Supajam will get to play at a live final at the famous Pigalle Club in London. The winner will be selected from a panel of industry judges and will win flights, accommodation and a chance to play at this years FIB Heineken Festival 2010 in Benicassim, Spain.

3. Is the contest open to everyone worldwide?

      No, this contest is only open to UK residents and residents of the European Union. Please email us at feedback@supajam.com and we’ll notify you about the next contest when it launches.

4. I’m younger than sixteen, can I still enter?

      No we’re afraid not.

5. Both myself and my band (if you have one) are under 18 years old, how do we register?

      You must have your parent’s or guardian’s verbal permission to register for the contest. If you make it to the finals then we will need this in writing.

6. Who are SupaJam?

      SupaJam is the new destination website that uncovers the best new music and entertainment from around the world. It also showcases movie trailers, webisodes and the very best content from around the web.

7. What sort of music are you looking for?

      We’re looking for tracks and bands that will fit in with the Benicassim festival. Check out the following links to see previous line ups from past years

   • http://fiberfib.com/en/line-up/benicassim-festival-2009/
   • http://fiberfib.com/en/line-up/line-up-2008/
   • http://fiberfib.com/es/cartel/flashback/fib-2007/
   • http://fiberfib.com/es/cartel/flashback/fib-2006/

   As you can see it's a pretty diverse festival but Indie, dance, electronica and cool singer songwriters are pretty good examples of the genre the festival supports. The following bands have all played at the fesitval or are playing this year: The Prodigy, Kasabian, The Specials, Oasis, Kings Of Leon, Elbow, The Killers, Paul Weller, TV On The Radio, Muse, Hot Chip, Morrisey, Wilco, UNKLE, The Kooks, Babyshambles, Sigur Ross, Muse, Depeche Mode, Arctic Monkeys.

8. Where and when is the contest Live final being held?

      In London at the Pigalle Club on June 8th . The five final bands will be invited to play a short set on that evening and the judges will make their decision based on their performance that night. The winner of the final will win the grand prize and play at the FIB Heineken 2010 festival.

9. Is it my responsibility to get to the live final in London?

      Yes. It is your responsibility to get to the final and arrange your own accommodation if you are staying over in London. Lets face it if you have to rough it think of it as inspiration for your next album!

10. You say the final tracks are going on iTunes – what will I receive from that?

       We will split the revenue generated by your track 50/50 from iTunes (or any other digital download service) sales. This will be the gross figure not the net so that means ANY money we receive will be split with you 50/50 BEFORE we have recovered any costs for promoting the track or running this contest.

11. If I win the grand prize can my friends come with me to the FIB Heineken 2010 festival?

       Sorry but no. We are only offering to pay flights and accommodation to the artist or band. Your friends are more than welcome to come but they must buy their own tickets and make their own way there.

12. Should I have my own travel insurance?

       Yes please as well as medical insurance.

Creating And Submitting Your Track

1. How can I record my track?

      That is down to you. You may already have your track recorded – that is fine. Failing that you can go into a studio to record it, you can record it using your computer or you can record it using an old 4 track – Just make sure it is the best possible quality and that it showcases your talent. Only the best tracks will make it to the final 40.

2. How long should my track be?

      Your track should be no more than around 5 minutes. There is plenty of time later in your recording career to make a mini masterpiece spanning 24 mins. For now we are just interested in a track that is short and sharp and focuses on your talents.

3. May I use bad language in my track?

      Yes. We’re not your parents – Just make sure it's good!

4. Does my track have to be an original piece of work?

      Yes. We are NOT looking for cover versions here or anyone else’s work. The track must be original to you or your band.

5. Why must I / we be unsigned?

      This competition is open to people or bands at the beginning of their careers. It’s designed to give an aspiring artist or band their first real shot at the big time. If you are signed to a record label or have a publishing deal then you are already established. We understand that many of you are signed to your own Independent labels and that is fine providing they are not connected to a major record label.

6. I’m not ready to upload my track by April 19th . Can I upload it later?

      No. If you fail to upload your track by April 19th 2010 then you will not be able to enter the contest.

7. I tried to upload my track just before the deadline but I couldn’t as the server was busy – can I upload it later?

      No – As the deadline approaches there will be a rush to upload tracks that may mean that you are unable to successfully upload yours. We would suggest you plan a quiet time to upload your track and definitely not at the last minute.

8. How many people are allowed in a band?

      Six. We will accept entries if there are more than six of you but if you win the grand prize only six persons will be flown out to the festival to play so you will either have to make your own arrangements to get them down there or you had better prepare yourself to sack your best mate who is saying he is the best triangle player in the world!

9. I can’t see or listen my track after I have uploaded it?

      That is correct. All the eligible tracks entered into the contest will be revealed after April 5th 2010. 

The FIB Heineken Festival 2010

1. Where is the FIB Heineken 2010 festival held?

      In Spain. The fesitval is in the town of Benicàssim, outside of Castellón.

2. What is the FIB Heineken 2010 festival?

      The FIB or Festival Internacional de Benicàssim (Benicàssim International Festival) is a famous music festival held in Benicàssim (Spain). It focuses in alternative pop rock and electronica and has other elements besides music like short films, theatre, dance, fashion and art.

3. When is the FIB Heineken 2010 Festival?

      This years festival is being held between July 15th – 18th 2010

4. Who is playing at this years festival?

      Please click on the following link as the full line up is slowly released between February and June each year with new acts and headliners being added every week.

   • http://fiberfib.com/en/line-up/benicassim-festival-2010/
5. Where can I find further information and buy tickets for this years festival?

      Tickets are available from the link below. You will also find all other information regarding the festival here like accommodation, how to get there and much more.

   • http://tickets.fiberfib.com/

Voting

1. Why do I want people to listen to and rate my track?

      Between April 5th – 19th 2010 All eligible tracks entered into the contest will be released on Supajam.com. First round voting commences.

   After the initial voting period the top 40 will be revealed . Twenty of the final 40 tracks will be selected by the fans vote so get your friends and fans to vote like mad!

   Between April 26th – May 10th the Top 40 is announced and revealed on SupaJam. The top 40 finalists are made up of 20 of the most popular audience tracks and 20 tracks selected from the SupaJam panel. You need to get your fans to vote once again as 2 out of the final 5 finalists will be made up from the fan vote ad will make it into the live final at The Pigalle Club in London on June 8th 2010.  

2. How do I tell my friends about the contest and to rate my track?

      On every finalists page you will see that you can "email your friends". The more friends you encourage to rate your track the more chance you or your band have to make it to the finals.

3. Can someone rate more than one track?

      Absolutely. A person can rate as many of the entries as they'd like. However, you can't rate the same track more than once.

4. How are the public ratings calculated?

      We don't reveal the rating details in order to avoid people gaining an unfair advantage. However, it is a combination of the number of people who listen to your track in full, rate your track and the rating that each person gives.

5. How else can I promote my track to increase the chances of it winning?

      We would suggest you create a page on Facebook, Bebo or Myspace. Wherever you can shout about it, Shout about it! We have created banners for you to “promote your track”

Troubleshooting

1. I’m having trouble uploading my track, what should I do?

      Please wait a few minutes and try uploading your track again. There is likely to be a lot of traffic as entrants upload their entries near the final hours of the contest. Please continue trying to upload your track until you receive confirmation that it was received.

2. What format shall I upload my track in?

      You can upload your track as an mp3 (please no larger than 8mb). If you get picked as top 40 finalist then we will ask you to supply us with a Lossless .WAV or .FLAC file so that we can put your track on iTunes.

3. Where can I get answers to questions not already in this FAQ?

      Email feedback@supajam.com with other questions.