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Lazie Indie, John Anthony Guitar Contest, IIMF

John Anthony Memorial

Guitar contest
November, 2024

John_Anthony (1).jpeg

The winner of the 2024 John Anthony Guitar Contest is.....

Jason Souza

Congratulations, Jason!
From the Lazie Indie Crew

jason Dsouza IIMF 2024 Winner_edited_edi

About the Contest

The John Anthony guitar contest is held annually by Lazie Indie and the Kerala Arts and Crafts Village (KACV)

Any guitarist can upload a 2 minute clip on Youtube and submit the link in the form below.

The music video submissions will be allowed from September 6th onwards, and will continue until October 15th.
The voting link will be given to participants on Oct 15th, 2024. Participants are encouraged to share this with as many potential voters as possible.
Voting will open on Oct 15th and will remain open until Nov 5th
The winner will be announced on November 9th, 2024
Please read the terms and conditions carefully.

Primary Sponsor

BigFoot Guitars_edited.jpg

Co-Sponsor

John Antony Guitar Contest, Sponsor, ICMA

Lazie Indie, IIMF, John Anthony Guitar Contest, Past Winner, Ashok Janardhanan, Fender Stratocaster

The winner will be awarded a brand new custom Electric Guitar sponsored by Bigfoot Guitars, at the IIMF (International Indie Music Festival) to be held at Kovalam in November 2024

Around 20 artists and bands will be participating this year.

The IIMF is a 3 days Indie music festival with artist participation from across the globe.

IIMF 2023, Event, Lazie Indie, Kovalam, Kerala, India, International Indie Music Festival

Meet the Contestants

Vamsi M Nath

01:03

Vamsi M Nath

Iam Vamsi M Nath a freelance guitarist who is inspired by the iconic legend john Anthony sir. I saw only one video in there that play's karnatrixx tracks. I'm giving a try to bring back those excellent genre of music karnatrixx sounding in the industry

Alwin Anpu

00:23

Alwin Anpu

I'm Alwin (@air.floe), 21 years old guitarist from Trivandrum.

James Stephenus

00:57

James Stephenus

When he was in high school, James learnt how to play select chords on borrowed guitars. This helped him get a place in the school band – that was the first hook. His brother gave him an old guitar when he was sixteen - and so, he finally had a guitar that he could call his very own! He then took lessons for about three months. Soon after, he started jamming with some college friends and at church. He found himself at peace with the present and excited for the future. This was hook number two. There was no looking back from that point on as he immersed himself in the craft, fine-tuning his skill as he played hard rock music with bands like Zion and Inside Out. In 2010, he dived right into the metalcore scene (a fusion genre combining elements of extreme metal and hardcore punk) with the band Final Surrender. Equipped with both a fantastic level of expertise and a strong work ethic, James wanted to try his hand at different genres of music. To that end, he started exploring Indian film music, pop, retro, reggae, afro, to name a few, as a session guitarist. He joined Zehen in 2022, adding his unique flavour to Zehen’s sound. Highly respected as a musician, he is seen as a solid teammate who is great to jam with and bounce ideas off of. He currently is part of acts like Zehen, Zhane, and more.

Raman Ravi

02:07

Raman Ravi

Welcome to my world of music, where East meets West in a symphony of innovation. I’m a guitarist dedicated to mastering both Western and Indian music traditions, crafting compositions that blend these distinct styles into something truly groundbreaking. With a diploma in jazz guitar performance from the London College of Music, where I earned the highest achiever award, I bring a polished edge to every note I play. My journey has taken me across the globe, collaborating with an array of renowned artists such as Raghu Dixit, Lukas Gasser, Kunal Ganjawala, and Grammy-winner Prakash Sontakke. Through these international projects, I’ve pushed the boundaries of genre and tradition, creating a sound that resonates deeply with audiences everywhere. Join me as I continue to explore and redefine the fusion of musical worlds.

Anirudh T S

02:10

Anirudh T S

I am an aspiring guitarist based in Kerala, India.

Sahil Verma

00:55

Sahil Verma

I’m a techie by profession and a guitarist at heart. Have been playing guitar for 16 years and am inspired by bands like Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Porcupine Tree, Metallica and AC/DC. Music and guitar has been my constant since I picked it up, and it always will be till I can move my arms.

Dipan Basak

01:19

Dipan Basak

Hi, my name is Dipan. I'm a guitarist, songwriter, composer, sessions guitarist - originally from Kolkata, currently residing in Bangalore.

Jason Dsouza

02:29

Jason Dsouza

Samuel A B

00:49

Samuel A B

I am Samuel A B - introducing as a virtuoso guitarist with a distinctive tone and lightning fast fingers. My passion towards rock effortlessly navigates the electric guitar, infusing rock anthems as my signature style. Finally, I embrace my talents in a multitude of genres from blues to jazz to world music, constantly pushing the boundaries of my guitar expertise...!! Thank you

Meet the Contest Judges

Rick Bouwman, John Anthony Contest Judge

Rick Bouwman

Main Guitarist and founding member of the iconic Dutch Heavy Metal Band Martyr that has rocked world over since 1982.

The debut album "For The Universe" from the same year is still considered a classic in heavy metal circles. For example, the leading website "Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives" wrote the following about this album: "Martyr's song writing is vastly superior to most of its competitors".

In 2014, the group was honoured by the "Dutch Steel (80's Metal From The Netherlands)" collector for Martyr's contribution to Dutch heavy metal history.

Will Johns, John Anthony Contest Judge

Will Johns

Will Johns is a British Blues artist known for blending classic and modern Blues Rock, with a musical legacy steeped in Rock 'n' Roll history. The son of legendary producer Andy Johns and actress Paula Boyd, and nephew of producer Glyn Johns, Will’s family connections include his famous aunt Pattie Boyd, who was married to both George Harrison and Eric Clapton.

Influenced by his uncle Eric Clapton, Will started playing guitar as a teenager, later forming his first band, Cloud 9, while studying Performing Arts in Oxford. Over the years, he’s become a sought-after session player, released five solo albums, and toured globally, performing at major festivals. His 2021 album ""BLUESDADDY"" topped the Roots Music Review Chart, and he's been nominated for 'Best Original Blues Song' at the British Blues Awards. Will also leads The Cream of Clapton Band and continues to captivate audiences worldwide with his powerful vocals and bluesy guitar work.

During his storied career Will has performed alongside many more renowned musicians including Uncle Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, Steve Winwood, Ronnie Wood, Mick Taylor, Bill Wyman, Nile Rodgers, Robben Ford, Glenn Hughes, Roger Waters, Dennis Chambers, Greg Phillenganes, Sunny Emery, Gregg Bissonette, Shar White, Katie Kissoon, Kenny Jones and Steve Gadd.

Steve Lynch, John Antony Contest Judge

Steve Lynch

Steve Lynch developed his signature two-handed (eight-finger) tapping technique that laid the foundation to modern day Heavy Metal/ Rock Music Guitar playing. He is best known as the co-founder and original lead guitarist of the glam metal/hard rock band Autograph, which formed in 1983.

He decided to commit himself to music and mastering guitar when Jimi Hendrix died in 1970. In addition to Hendrix, Lynch's influences came from late-1960s and early-1970s rock musicians such as Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and the Beatles. He initially played bass, however Hendrix's death influenced him to switch to guitar.

Lynch gradually developed his signature two-handed (eight-finger) tapping technique throughout the 1970s and into the mid-1980s.

John Antony Guitar Contest - Past Winners

John Antony Guitar Contest - Past Winners

Here's an excerpt from last year's winner, Sidharth Praveen's Instagram post:

While noodling around on a particular scale, I am startled. Startled by a call late night from Jay Pillai of Lazie Indie, saying "Sid you've won".

I had taken part in an International Guitar Competition "The John Anthony Memorial Award". The earlier 4 weeks would see myself sharing my entry, asking people what they liked about the piece before they could vote.

The contenders were ferociously good from all over the country. The competition was stiff. As destiny would have it, I actually made it to the top 3 only to be judged by a final jury. The Judges were Will Johns, Steve Lynch and Tim Steinruck. Not just judges, but people I listen to. People I grew up with as posters on my walls.

I quickly opened the Lazie Indie Facebook page to find that I not only had won, but there was feedback from them. Feedback that left me hanging awestruck. (read the Judge's feedback here) Only to realise that I was to win a Strat handed over by Dave Evans, one of the original lead singers of AC/DC.

To a 25 year old guy, all those struggles, the penance that came with this line of career, paid off in a fraction of second when the results were announced. All the thoughts people put in my head as to why my dreams weren't possible, were nullified. Perseverance and Resilience pays off. A complete out of body experience.

It was all thanks to my family, and my students. They say, success is never true success unless you have the people in your journey to share it with.

We RiffGuru touch 5 years as a school this December. What started out as an idea to teach people music, ended becoming a motto to transform people's lives for the better. Guitar and Music are all I've known and all I will continue to know.

Thank you all.

Terms & Conditions

The contest is organised by Lazie Independent Music Private Ltd (Lazie Indie) and is binding on all participants (Artists and voters) in this contest.
Only musicians based in India may participate in the contest
The participant should upload a 2 minutes YouTube video of him/ her playing the guitar without any breaks
Backing tracks are allowed, but the session should be shot in one go without any breaks in playing (audio also)
Submissions are invited for Senior and Junior (14 years and younger) categories
The submission should be sent as a YouTube link uploaded in the submission form
All musicians except winners of previous editions, can participate
The participant is deemed to allow Lazie Indie to publish the video clip to voting audiences worldwide
Only one vote is permitted per voter per artist. Bulk voting, multiple votes from the same email ID/ Phone number for the same artist may result in the artist being banned from the competition. Lazie Indie's decision in this regard will be final.
The voting is open until midnight on November 5th, 2024
The results declared by Lazie Indie will be final and no further queries or complaints or questions will be entertained and Lazie Indie is further not obliged to respond to the same.
There is no cash alternative and the prize is non-transferable.
Lazie Indie reserves the right to change/ modify the terms and conditions of this offer or to withdraw this offer at any point in time if circumstances arise beyond our control.
Lazie Indie shall not be responsible for any loss or damage if it has to discontinue or cancel the Contest in compliance with any law, ruling, order, regulation, requirement or instruction of any Central/State Government or for any other unavoidable reason beyond its control. The participants (Artists & Voters) shall be informed of such discontinuance/ cancellation at the earliest.
By participating in the contest, the Participants (Artists & Voters) agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.
Lazie Indie is not responsible for participants (Artists & Voters) not being able to understand the contest mechanics or for his/ her interpretation of the same. No correspondence in this regard will be entertained.
Lazie Indie shall not be liable to make any payment towards any expenses which is incurred by the participant/ winner whatsoever.
None of the provisions of these Terms and Conditions shall be deemed to constitute a Partnership or Agency between Participants (Voters & Artists) and Lazie Indie and Participants shall have no authority to bind Lazie Indie in any manner whatsoever.
Lazie Indie accepts no liability for any errors or omissions, whether on behalf of itself or any Third Parties.
In no event Lazie Indie shall be liable for losses or any incidental or consequential damages arising out of or in connection with the Contest, its services or this Agreement (however arising, including negligence). Lazie Indie shall not be responsible for any Product or Service liability of any kind.
Artists and Voters shall be solely responsible for any consequences which may arise due to any kind of Infringement of Copyrights or any kind of Intellectual Property Rights belonging to any other Person / Entity etc. and also undertake to indemnify Lazie Indie its Directors, Officers, Employees, etc. on the happening of such an Event (including without limitation cost of Attorney, Legal Charges etc.) on full indemnity basis.
The information is deemed to be voluntarily supplied during the course of Participation and personal information provided by the Artists and Voters will be deemed as non-confidential, which hereby discharges all obligations of confidentiality. Lazie Indie shall be free to reproduce, use, disclose and distribute the information to Third Parties without limitation.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this terms and conditions and any circumstances whatsoever, Lazie Indie shall not be liable for any incidental, ancillary, direct, indirect, special or consequential damages including but not limited to lost profits or injury or death, whether in contract or based on any theory of liability.
If the operation of the contest (including without limitation the operation of the internet/ telephone system) or the contest is prevented by Force Majeure event, Lazie Indie may cancel all or any part of the contest without any liability to any person whatsoever.

Remembering John Anthony

Remembering John Anthony

About John Anthony

A performer, teacher and mentor in the music circuit for over 30 years, John Anthony contributed to the music tracks of over 2,500 movies.

Over several decades, the guitarist was part of many ensembles and projects that led him to perform around the globe with legends such as violinist L. Shankar, Sivamani and A.R. Rahman. He has been an inspiration to many currently famous guitarists. His unique style of guitar playing influenced many and still does today.

Connected to movies and the independent music world, John Anthony made a strong impact on both sides. Lazie J was one of the last projects he associated with.

This guitar award is instituted to celebrate the genius of John Anthony and also to encourage young guitarists to demonstrate their talent to a vast audience globally.

So put your best out there and let us see whether you can carry the John Anthony Legacy forward.

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