The result is Rival FM, a monthly songwriting and recording contest designed to foster production and creativity, and to give unknown artists deserved recognition. Once a month, Rival FM hosts a listening party at the Riverwest Public House to showcase ... Once a month, Rival FM hosts a listening party at the Riverwest Public House to showcase 10 different, never-before-heard recordings of songs by various local musicians. At the end of the night, the audience members cast their votes for the top five, and the artists whose songs that make the cut then move on to the next month’s competition. These top five champions also make up a panel of judges who select five challengers from that month’s pool of submissions, and the whole process is repeated. In order to be considered in the competition, songs must be originals, not previously released, and no more than five minutes long. “The idea is that we want artists to be able to see what the audience reacts to, and not just create in a vacuum,” DeMarie says. [Full article at Onion A/V Club]