THE ROAD HEADS BACK TO SEATTLE >>>

The Road to South By 2011 battle of the bands contest - a joint effort between Seattle-based Brave New World Media Group and Joe Gingerella's Black Ice Booking & Entertainment - took a break from its home at El Corazon in Seattle to stop by Tacoma's Hell's Kitchen last night. Rock duo All Eyes Closed, Spanaway rapper Perry Porter and hip-hop group Black Stax battled it out before a sparse crowd - at least in the music room. A large, lively crowd of Tacoma Thursday Runners held a post-run celebration in the adjoining restaurant section, briefly appearing in the other half of the venue before, well, running out the door.

The event is a series of battles between Northwest bands and solo artists vying for a slot to perform in Austin, Texas during the SXSW Music Conference, March 16-20. Gingerella books two stages during SXSW, an outdoor stage and one inside Pure Lounge, and although neither are part of the "official" SXSW festival, both are in the heart of Austin and can't help but be engulfed in the craziness of SXSW. Any stage in Austin at or during SXSW means the possibility of thousands of eyes and ears, and it's an opportunity many bands are hungry for. That's exactly what the Road to South By 2011 offers bands and artists willing to battle it out.

The charismatic vocalist Porter rapped over a pre-recorded soundtrack, spending more time in the crowd than up on the stage. With a smile on his face, and more than a hop in his step, his performance grabbed the most votes. Porter will take his talent up north to El Corazon as the battles continue through Feb. 15.

The Gritty City Sirens burlesque troupe made two appearances between bands, taking MOST of it off to the delight of the crowd.

The highlight of the night was a special performance by Brave New World Founder Shyan Selah and his band The Republic of Sound.  Selah, born in Kentucky, raised in Federal Way, sports a big personality, and it followed him on stage, where he belted out rap, soul and rock tones, often in the same song. Selah's rap smashed into all four walls followed by faint soul stirrings from his heart. Behind him, the talented Republic brought it - infusing funk, jam rock, and R&B into a musical porridge that mesmerized. I had no idea Tacoma's Justin Mayfield could rock the guitar that hard. And the drummer was simply amazing.

LINK: More photos in the Photo Hot Spot

LINK: The Road to South By website