Grammy-nominated, multiplatinum-selling artist Gavin DeGraw performs at the Project: Aloft Star Final in New York City. DeGraw mentored the two finalists in the competition, with indie-folk-rock duo The Bergamot being crowned the winner at the end of the night (PRNewsfoto/Marriott International, Inc.)
Brooklyn-based indie-folk-rock duo The Bergamot has been announced as the winner of this year’s Project: Aloft Star competition, the global initiative from Aloft Hotels that identifies the hottest emerging music talent from around the globe, offering them a chance to kick-start their careers and take center stage at the world’s fastest-growing hotel brand.
Husband and wife Jillian Speece and Nathaniel Hoff, who make up The Bergamot, learned of their success at a nail-biting finale performance last night at Aloft Long Island City, one of the brand’s newest properties in New York City. The Bergamot and runner-up pop/soul artist Gigi Rich were both given the opportunity to perform for the crowd following a special mentoring session led by Project: Aloft Star’s 2017 celebrity mentor, multi-platinum recording artist Gavin DeGraw.
The two finalists were chosen after a process that began in August that invited any unsigned artist to share up to two original songs, a brief description, and an artist photo on the Live at Aloft Hotels web page. Out of over 1200 submissions, entries were narrowed down to five semi-finalists that the public were then invited to view and vote on during a ten-day period to choose the two that would perform at the finale.
The two finalists performed for a series of guest judges, which included the following music industry executives:
- Mitch Mills, Vice President, Adult Formats Atlantic/Roadrunner Records
- Danny Buch, Senior Vice President of Promotion at RED
- Michael Solomon, co-founder of Brick Wall Management and co-founder of Musicians On Call
- Darrell Brown, world-renowned songwriter, arranger, manager and record producer
“We had a record number of entries for Project: Aloft Star this year, showing us that eight years on from its inception, this initiative is still something that really resonates with the indie music community as a platform to kick-start their career,” said Bridget Higgins, Global Senior Brand Director, Aloft Hotels. “Supporting up-and-coming music talent is a cornerstone of the Aloft brand, and we’re thrilled to host this event as the culmination of our Live at Aloft Hotels tour, which brings intimate, live music performances to guests and music-loving locals around the globe.”
“The Bergamot are authentic touring artists. They should be extremely proud of winning this year’s Project: Aloft Star,” said mentor and singer/songwriter, Gavin DeGraw. “It’s great see artists who’ve honed their craft through live performance succeed. Really enjoyed my time with them today. Thanks to Aloft Hotels for making it happen.”
“With so many strong entries, it’s such an honor to be named this year’s Project: Aloft Star winner,” said Jillian Speeceand Nathaniel Hoff of The Bergamot. “It’s always been our dream to make it in the music industry and we’re so grateful to Aloft Hotels for giving us the opportunity to take a step towards achieving that goal. This competition means that becoming a big music star is within reach to anyone, and we’d strongly encourage other musicians like ourselves to take the plunge and submit an entry – it could change your life.”
Beyond the honor of the 2017 title, The Bergamot’s prize includes a songwriting and recording session in a professional studio with renowned producer Darrell Brown, who has previously worked with names including LeAnn Rimes, Neil Young and Keith Urban. The pair will also get a coaching session with a publicist to help craft their story, and finally the chance to perform onstage as part of the 2018 Live At Aloft Hotels Tour. Live at Aloft Hotels is an international program that brings in local sounds to Aloft properties around the world by hosting free, intimate, live music performances at its W XYZ® bars. Alongside several local emerging artists, this year’s lineup included notable performers like acoustic singer MAX, country star Drake White, and LA-based blues performer ZZ Ward.
For a complete list of all 2017 performances, please visit LiveAtAloftHotels.com and join the conversation by connecting with Aloft Hotels on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, using the hashtag #AloftLive.
About Aloft Hotels
With more than 125 hotels now open in nearly 20 countries and territories around the world, Aloft Hotels, part of Marriott International, Inc., delivers a fresh approach to the traditional staid hotel landscape. For the ‘always on’ next generation of traveler, the Aloft brand offers a tech-forward, vibrant experience and a modern style that is different by design. Aloft is proud to participate in the industry’s award-winning loyalty program, Starwood Preferred Guest®. Members can now link accounts with Marriott Rewards®, which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® at members.marriott.com for instant elite status matching and unlimited points transfer. For more information, please visit www.alofthotels.com and follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Marriott International Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 6,200 properties in 30 leading hotel brands spanning 125 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company also operates award-winning loyalty programs: Marriott Rewards®, which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest®. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.