Post-Covid Recording Competition by Fender

Fender announces the launch of the Player Plus Studio Sessions: Powered by Fender. Amidst lockdowns and social distancing, it’s no secret that artists have been struggling for both inspiration and support. This global program seeks to fulfil the creative aspirations of independent artists around the world by getting them back in the studio and providing them with the tools they need to create. Fender has partnered with notable recording studios in the U.S., U.K., Australia, Japan and Mexico to host Fender-funded studio sessions with engineers, a mixing credit, Player Plus gear and mentoring resources for winning artists.

Starting today, Fender is calling for submissions. To enter, independent artists must submit either a recent single, music video or live performance to best showcase their talent and creativity. Instrumental acts, bands and solo artists are also encouraged and welcome to enter the Player Plus Studio Session. Eligibility requirements are as follows: applicants must be 18+ years of age, play or have a band member play guitar or bass and must be a fully independent artist. Additionally, applicants must be able to travel to the nearest selected city and studio as winning does not provide travel to and from the studio.

Participating studios include:

• Australia: Sing Sing (Melbourne), Studios 301 (Sydney)
• U.S. Studios: EastWest Studios (Los Angeles), MDDN (Los Angeles), Flux Studios (New York City), Welcome to 1979 (Nashville)
• UK: RAK Studios (London), Coastal Sound Recording Studio (Liverpool), Steelworks Studios (Sheffield), Chamber Studio (Edinburgh), Camden Recording Studios (Dublin)
• LAT AM: Pieza Estudios (Mexico City)
• Japan: Freedom Studio Infinity (Tokyo)

The entry period will run from September 27 through October 20, 2021 with winners announced on November 10, 2021. Each submission will be reviewed by a panel of judges made up of noteworthy producers, artists, journalists and Fender Executives including, Fender CEO Andy Mooney, Nile Rodgers and Alastair Burns of Heartstop Music. Submissions will be judged on set criteria including: songwriting, performance quality, creativity, technical guitar playing ability, originality and more.

“I’ve been a fan of Fender since I bought my first Mustang back in 1970, and I still carry my 50 year old Stratocaster across my back as I travel around the world,” said judging panelist, Nile Rodgers. “I’m passionate about nurturing new artists, it’s something that I’ve done my whole life, and as a producer it’s very exciting to provide undiscovered artists with the tools they need to speak through their music, rather than just play. My hope is that by allowing these musicians to take their craft to the next level, we will discover something completely unique that the world has never heard before.”

In addition to earning valuable studio time, the winning artists will receive a one-hour consultation with Ari Herstand, CEO of Ari’s Take and author of the bestselling book How to Make It in the New Music Business. Herstand is also the author of the 2021 Fender Artist Playbook, a step-by-step guide for emerging artists to tackle the new frontier of music, from cracking TikTok algorithms to leveraging alternative revenue streams, digital marketing tips, NFTs and more. Winners will also receive a Fender Player Plus guitar or bass to use in the studio at their recording session and keep for future shows and creative endeavours. The new instruments bring Fender’s most iconic models into the modern era. Noiseless pickups provide classic Fender sound with enhanced clarity and advanced switching capabilities for a wide variety of tonal options. Upgraded features include rolled fingerboard edges and locking tuners and hot, fresh finishes including Belair Blue, Silver Smoke and Tequila Sunrise.