Discover a crop of new talent tomorrow and Saturday at KJHK’s Farmer’s Ball, the station’s annual music competition. Hear eight acts perform on Friday night, and the four crowd favorites compete again on Saturday night.

 Not your typical battle of the bands, the Farmer’s Ball never showcases the same performers twice, says Peter Lyrene, Fairhope, Ala., senior and live events director at KJHK. “Farmer’s Ball has been a huge step for a lot of bands,” Lyrene says. “So people will see local groups they probably haven’t seen yet.”

 Audience members also determine who moves on in the competition. The winner walks away with a day of recording time at Black Lodge Recording in Eudora and band merchandise from Lawrence’s Blue Collar Press.

 For two nights of fresh, live music, check out Farmer’s Ball. Tomorrow night’s performances are at The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St.; Saturday’s finale is at The Jackpot Music Hall, 943 Massachusetts St. Shows are 18 to enter. Tickets are $3 to $5.

The bands

Burger Kingdom: This Burger King-loving duo’s rock style is loud and slightly psy

chedelic. Listen to “Hand of Gold” at myspace.com/burgerkingdom.

California Craisins: This quintet brings the sounds of the “California psychedelic surf scene” to Lawrence. Listen to “Kanzas Deal” at myspace.com/thecaliforniacraisins.

Cloud Dog: Using a mix of instruments, such as plastic buckets as drums, this group creates experimental pop that will have you dancing all night long. Listen to “Jellyfish” at myspace.com/clouddogmusic.

DJ Avi Morgenstern: A KJHK dj, Morgenstern debuts his electronic music live at the Farmer’s Ball.

Dutch Newman: The only performer from Kansas City, Newman brings an eclectic brand of hip-hop to the Farmer’s Ball. Listen to “Kingdom” at myspace.com/dutchnewman.

Eagle Us Pets: The mix of sounds produced by this quartet comes off as rock with a post-apocalyptic twist. Listen to “king” at myspace.com/eagleuspets.

Hidden Pictures: Instruments such as the flute and glockenspiel accompany the delightfully folky harmonies produced by this five-person group. Listen to “Alexander Bell” at myspace.com/hiddenpictures.


Katlyn Conroy: Now playing with the Wild and Wooly, Conroy could be compared to Emily Haines of Metric or Jenny Lewis, but her melodies are more peaceful and her vocals more powerful. Listen to “Horror Stories” at myspace.com/katlynconroy.