Open Mic Contest | Studia Musique Artist Labs

About The Open Mic Contest

Studia Musique Artist Laboratories (S.M.A.L.), Secret Spot DTLA and our partners host multiple contests and workshops each year to showcase and promote up-and-coming artists!

Our mission is to highlight and provide opportunities to Women, LGBTQ+ and marginalized musicians across Los Angeles and the United States!

Our Los Angeles Based team hosts Open Mic Contests, workshops, and other events to help facilitate community and elevate exceptional performances!

Wait, So How Does The Open Mic Contest Work?
General Admission Tickets & Guaranteed Pre Sale
Our show is open mic is split into two sections; the first half of the open mic consists of our guaranteed pre sale ticket holders with a short intermission. The second half of the open mic contest is based on our in-person sign up sheet and features our general admission and walk in ticket holders.

Why Is It A Contest?
We created the Open Mic Contest to gather, connect and bring together songwriters and musicians to facilitate community building and local collaborations as well as to feature & highlight marginalized musicians who may otherwise not find the opportunity.

Next Contest Date: November 2024
Location:
Doors: TBA

Sol - "Mango"

"Sol" / Sequoia Range performs her original song "Mango" live in studio at GRL SND Studios in Loz Feliz, CA.

Sol (She/her) is a Minneapolis-based songwriter, vocal artist, and winner of our December 16th Twin Cities Open Mic Contest Sponsored by Secret Spot DTLA, SLAM ACADEMY, WISH USA, GRL SND Studios, Artist Housing, and CoffeeBreak Entertainment.

Annamarie Austin - Afar

Annamaria performs her original song "Afar" live in studio at Secret Spot DTLA in Downtown Los Angeles. Annamaria (She/Her) is a Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter, queer artist, and winner of our October 21st QTBIPOC Open Mic Contest Sponsored by Secret Spot DTLA, The Queer 26, WISH USA, The FAM and GRL SND Studio.

NeKieth Mitchell - Sticky

Nekieth Mitchell performs her original song "sticky" live in studio at Secret Spot DTLA in Downtown Los Angeles. Nekieth (She/Her) is a Los Angeles-based actress, model, rapper, and winner of our October 21st QTBIPOC Open Mic Contest Sponsored by Secret Spot DTLA, The Queer 26, WISH USA, The FAM and GRL SND Studio.

Mel Batz "Moon"

Mel Batz performs their original song "Moon" live in studio at Secret Spot DTLA in Downtown Los Angeles. Mel (She/They) is a Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter, queer artist and winner of our October QTBIPOC Open Mic Contest Sponsored by Secret Spot DTLA, The Queer 26, WISH USA, The FAM and GRL SND Studio.

DEVAN M "YOUR SPELL"

Devan M performs her original song "Your Spell" live in studio at GRL SND Studios in Los Feliz, CA. Devan M (She/Her) is a Los Angeles based singer songwriter, queer artist and winner of the our March QTBIPOC Open Mic Contest Sponsored by Secret Spot DTLA, The Queer 26, WISH USA and GRL SND Studio.

Malachi Maisha - "Victim"

Malachi Maisha performs their spoken word, poem "Victim" live in studio at Secret Spot DTLA. Malachi (She/They) is a Los Angeles based poet, world class spoken word artists and winner of the our March QTBIPOC Open Mic Contest Sponsored by Secret Spot DTLA, The Queer 26, WISH USA and GRL SND Studios.

Ashton Livesay - Glowing Bomb

Ashton Livesay performs her original song "Glowing Bomb" live in studio at Secret Spot DTLA. Ashton (She/Her) winner of the our March QTBIPOC Open Mic Contest Sponsored by Secret Spot DTLA, The Queer 26, WISH USA and GRL SND Studios.

Cali Pally - Midnight Lover

Cali Pally winner of the January 2023 Open Mic Contest Wish USA and Secret Spot DTLA is a versatile independent, Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter and U.S. veteran, Cali’s music touches the heart through his hard-hitting, vulnerable and sensitive lyrics; Cali Pally’s new single, Me + You is the debut of his new sound which is a cross between, Pop, and RnB with some hip-hop and country influences sprinkled in.

Myles Prower Davis - Sailor Venus

Myles Prower Davis winner of the fall Queer Open Mic Contest 2022. This open mic contest was made possible by the Queer 26, The REDLINE BAR DTLA Secret Spot DTLA and Voltiv Sound. Clarinetist and Los Angeles-based songwriter Myles Prower Davis shares his words of wisdom and original song Sailor Venus live at

A.K.A. The Nobodies

Alex & Anothony in their duo "AKA the Nobodies" are our more recent winners of the quarterly open mic contest previously held at Voltiv Sound in collaboration with Studia Musique Artist Laboratories and Secret Spot DTLA in downtown Los Angeles.

Alex and Anthony are exceptional performers who recently returned to Los Angeles from Boston MA where they were studying at the Berklee College of Music.

Their captivating, singer-songwriter performance is indescribable and best experienced live, the duo command the stage with a presence of musicians twice their age. AKA The Nobodies have an unmistakable style that cannot be matched and we can't wait to see what stage these two take next!

Ayanda Jiya

Ayanda, wiinner of our open mic contest and hosted at Voltiv Sound in collaboration with Studia Musique Artist Laboratories and Secret Spot DTLA in downtown Los Angeles.

Ayanda is a stand-out talent her voice and performance presence is out of this world and blew all of us away! Ayanda is one of the most underrated and highly skilled musical artists out of South Africa. We are excited to highlight her talent as both as a female rapper and word-class vocalist!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahV4iXDHt0U

Chase Klyn

Chase Klyn winner of the Studia Musique Artist Laboratories Open Mic Contest, December 3rd 2021; performing his original song Weekend Getaway live at Voltiv Sound in Downtown Los Angeles!