Following their high profile venture with Paul McCartney, Starbucks' music division Hear Music is reportedly about to launch a scheme at the other end of the musical spectrum, recruiting unsigned talent.
Digital Music News reports that the coffee chain will pilot their new music venture, to be called the Starbucks Music Makers Competition, in the New England area. Bands will be encouraged to upload music to a Starbucks website, some of which will gain in-store promotion through the coffee shops. Judges will select finalists, who will get online exposure during the summer, where fans will be able to vote for their favourites. The most popular bands will then play at various New England venues before a final band is selected.
DMN says that the programme is starting in New England because it is a development of an existing new music initiative in the area originally sponsored by Starbucks. Whether the company plans to role out similar programmes across the US, or worldwide, is not yet clear.