Sammamish band ‘Great Waves,’ is officially the best underage outfit in the Northwest – after a magnificent performance at the Experience Music Project’s Sky Church stage on Saturday night, they were named the winner of the Sound Off!, Battle of the Bands.

The Sound Off! win caps what has been a thoroughly satisfying year for the heralded Plateau group, during which they postponed college and career plans, spent many hours in practice rooms and recording studios, and sculpted their alt-country sound which is starting to catch the ear of labels and venue bookers around the state.

It wasn’t that long ago that Great Waves were playing the Redmond and Kirkland teen centers. Those days may be long behind them. As part of their Sound Off! prize, the former Skyline and Eastside Catholic students are guaranteed a slot at this year’s Bumbershoot festival, which attracts hundreds of thousands of music fans to the Seattle Center in September.

Great Waves will also perform live on-air on radio station 1077 The End.

More importantly, the Sound Off! winners also get two days of studio time at Orbit Audio, in addition to various other prizes and perks.

For a young band trying to be heard in one of the most vibrant band scenes in the world, Great Waves are certainly making a splash of their own.