John McArthur, co-owner of The Studio Portland, joined me to talk about the exciting things happening at the studio! Along with offering music recording, podcasting, and audiobook services, The Studio Portland has deep ties to the local music scene through John and his wife’s talent buying agency, which has booked more than 1,700 events so far this year alone. That connection means artists who record with them also gain opportunities to perform.

Coming up, you can catch local acts like Sunburned Sharks and 13 Scotland Road, but the big news is the return of the seven-week Singer-Songwriter Contest at The Thirsty Pig in Portland, starting October 9th! The competition will feature preliminary rounds leading up to a finals night, with judging by industry professionals – including me!

Contestants need three original songs to enter, and the grand prize is a four-hour recording session at The Studio Portland. Interested musicians can sign up by emailing John@thestudioportland.com.

This contest is an incredible chance for Maine artists to showcase their talent, gain new fans, and take the next step in their careers. Listen to our interview below to learn more!