Sound Off Competition Rocks Bangor

WCSH 6 News

BANGOR, Maine (NEWS CENTER) - Five local bands got a chance show off their talent today in hopes of winning the opportunity to perform live at the 2013 KahBang music festival.

The Second Annual Sound Off Competition, sponsored by Maine's Credit Unions and Young and Free Maine, was held at the Main Street Music studio in Bangor. About 40 online submissions from 18 to 25 year olds were received and voted on by the public. The field was narrowed to five bands that got the opportunity to audition live for a panel of judges.

The grand prize went to Skosh, a jam/rock/alternative country band from Buckfield. But this event wasn't all about competition. The musicians say it was also a great chance to network with local artists, and build up the Maine music scene.

"Maine, it's getting better all the time. It doesn't have a great music scene, but it is improving, and it's because of people doing things like this," said Justin Chamberlain, member of the band One Shot Nothing, a competition finalist. "People who have the ability to give bands a chance to perform and give them these opportunities. People doing that kind of thing is definitely improving the Maine music scene for sure."

The grand prize winners also received a full day recording session at Main Street Studio so they can put their music on an album.

+ Original Article

Young Musicians Battle for Spot in KahBang

WABI TV5

Bangor - Some local young musicians had a very big audition on Friday.

On the line, a gig at a popular Bangor summer concert.

Quite the show inside Main Street Studios in Bangor.

" We're getting a little taste of how they'll be on stage and see how'd they be performing at KahBang," said Kylie Keene, Young and Free Maine Spokester.

It's Young and Free Maine's Sound Off Competition. Earlier this year, the public voted and the top five artists or groups are in the finals.

" It's just great to be in a contest where they support music and also to be with so many other talented young people," said Anna Pillsbury.

Anna Pillsbury, Lauren Crosby, One Shot Nothing, Skosh, and The Factory are the top five.

" Skosh formed in 2008 so we've been building up material and playing out a lot. We think we're ready for the big stage," said Jedidiah Allen, a member of Skosh.

" We wanna show them that we can perform, get in front of people and be all right," said Jack Davis, a member of The Factory.

" I grew up with like Johnny Cash and Janis Joplin as my influences and I wrote this song last year and it's about my parents and my sister and my family in general," said Lauren Crosby.

" Rock it and have fun," said Pillsbury.

" We're just trying to get as many shows as we can. We're finishing up an album, and trying to get our music out there and go play for people," said Justin Chamberlain, a member of One Shot Nothing.

It was a tough choice for the judges, but Skosh took top prize. For winning, they get to perform at KahBang in August and get a full day recording session at Main Street Studio.    

+ Original article

Bands Battled it Out in Bangor

Fox 22 | By Kristin Hosfelt

The finalists for the Young & Free Maine sound off competition, battled it out in Bangor today, for the grand prize of playing at one of New England's hottest summer festivals.

Meet Skosh, this year's grand prize winner of the 2nd annual Sound Off Competition.

The band, based out of Buckfield,  has been playing together for seven years. Now, they'll be jamming out center stage at this summers Kahbang festival.

The competition is a part of Young & Free Maine, an organization that provides financial advice to the younger generation.

The annual competition, is one way they promote their efforts, while showcasing local talent.

The winning band also received a full-day recording session at Main Street Music studios. Skosh plans to release their 13-track album this summer.

+ Original article

"Sound Off" Music Competition

FOX 23 myfoxmaine.com

A youth music competition is looking for some talented, young artists.  Maine's credit unions are organizing the "Sound Off" music competition for the state's 25 and under crowd. Individuals and groups have less than a week now to get their entries submitted. Young and Free spokester Kylie Keene is here to tell us more about it. Then we have a performance by Rob Burnell.

WPFO FOX 23 | Maine, Local, News, Entertainment, ME

Sound Off Competition
Entries until Jan 28th
Submit audio or video recordings:
www.youngfreemaine.com
http://www.reverbnation.com/robburnellmusic

+ Original article

Kylie Keene Sound Off on WCYY Maine's Rock Alternative Radio

Kylie's interview with Mark Curdo on WCYY 94.3

Social media tips for CUs outlined

MADISON, Wis. (12/6/12)--Social media experts recently outlined advice for credit unions to enhance their online presence.
 
Michael Ogden, CUNA Mutual media relations manager of new media, offered Three Killer Problems and How to Slay Them."

• Profile not filled out. To show up in searches, organization profiles must be completely filled out. This is the No. 1 item to complete in any social media project, Ogden said. Proper keywords should be used in the profile. Seek help from Google Analytics if needed.

• Accounts are locked. There is no bigger turn-off for potential followers than to see a locked account, Ogden said. Credit unions should make it as easy as possible to attract followers

• Updates about nothing. Adding personality to the communication stream should be encouraged, but too many quirky posts can dilute the message. Stick to a core message. For credit unions that is about what is happening with products, services and promotions. For example, Ogden tweets about 35 times a day, and about five are off topic.

Ogden also offered a bonus social media killer: No audience, or "I'm just not that into you." Sometimes the audience isn't where you thought it was, and it's time to pull the plug, Ogden said.
 
Kylie Keene, Maine credit unions' Young and Free spokester, also offered social media tips for credit unions, in the Maine Credit Union League's December News and Views newsletter. Keene's advice included:

• Limit posts on Facebook to one or two each day. Organizations with more than one or two are at risk of being left off of feeds.

• Tweet more often than you post on Facebook. Around five or six tweets per day allows helps the credit union to communicate with followers without risking clogging their feeds

• Pictures draw more attention than words. Post a picture, accompany it with brief and interesting information, then link to the credit union website so readers can learn more.

• Use the "Share" function on Facebook to show interesting or important content posted by others. This will build connections with other users and pages.

• Thank a user for following the credit union on Twitter with a personal reply or direct message. Do not use a generic response for everyone, if possible.

• The credit union does not have to follow everyone who follows it on Twitter. If a user posts relevant information that the credit union can retweet to its followers, then follow back.

• It is okay to go off topic. The posts that drive the most traffic are not always about credit unions or personal finances. One great off-topic post that gets a retweet from a current follower is enough to gain a new follower, who will then receive all of the credit union's other tweets.

• The credit union's Facebook, Twitter and website need a cohesive voice. The credit union must stand behind everything that it posts or tweets because it is a reflection of the organization.

+ Original article

Young & Free Maine Spokester Surprise Party

Maine Sunday Telegram

The first, Young & Free Maine Spokester, Seth Poplaski, poses with Kylie Keene, the new Spokester for Main's credit unions. Keene won the position after being involved in a selection process that included submitting a 60-second YouTube Video, writing blogs, in-person interviews and an online vote. The Spokester is part of a greater initiative called Young & Free Maine designed to give a financial head start to 18- to 25-year-olds.

Appointments

Mainebiz | In Short

Maine Credit Union League, the state trade association for Main's 62 credit unions and 617,000 members, recently named Kylie Keene of Old Town its Young & Free Maine spokeswoman. In the role she will serve as a reporter and advocate for her age group, attending events and creating daily online content including blog articles and videos for YoungFreeMaine.com an information hub for the 25-and-under crwod in Maine.

+ MaineBiz Website

Farmingdale's Keene gets CU position

Kennebec Journal

FARMINGDALE – Kylie Keene, who grew up in town, was recently hired as the new spokeswoman for the Young & Free Maine, the Maine Credit Unions organization youth outreach effort.

Keene, 22, won the post after a search of 18- to 25-year-olds throughout the state, according to a press release from the organization. The position includes a year-long contract with paid salary and benefits.

She will serve as a reporter and advocate for her age group, attending events and creating daily online content, including blog articles and videos.

For more information, visit www.YoungFreeMaine.com.

+ Original article

Young & Free Maine

FOX 23 myfoxmaine.com

As Maine's credit unions are looking for their next spokester. The winner will get a job and will post videos and blogs to educate Maine's young adults on how to manage their money. The contest is now down to 3 finalists with voting going on now through May 16^th. Two of the three finalists, Kylie Keene and Danielle Waldron, are here to talk with us about their perspective on financial uses for 18 to 25 year olds.

Young & Free Maine
To Vote, go to:
MaineCUL.org
YoungFreeMaine.com

+ Original article