MARCH 1, 2011 - The polls have closed for ROCKWIRED.COM's MARCH ARTIST OF THE MONTH campaign. Voters from all over the U.S. and around the world made their vote count and NEXCYX walked away the winner.  It sure didn't take long for 2011 to get off to a sound start musically here at ROCKWIRED. I couldn't think of a better way to get the New Year going than with a fresh-faced band out of Barbados that boasts an effervescent mixture of pop, soul and rock in their sound. The band is called NEXCYX and with the release of their debut EP 'QUEEN', they are poised and positioned to to take on a music industry that is dying for something both hook-filled and heartfelt.  Fronted by the honey-voiced siren MAHALIA PHILLIPS, NEXCYX are out to prove that RHIANNA ain't the only precious musical commodity to hail from BARBADOS. In my interview with MAHALIA PHILLIPS, I asked what sets NEXCYX apart from the rest of the current pop music crop. Her and the band's keyboardist ANDRE CLARK were quick to point to the diversity in sound that is inherent when listening to the EP 'QUEEN'. The band is able to churn out danceable, slightly reggae-fied track such as the opener 'BASS' and get their ya-ya's out with a venomous rocker like 'A LITTLE BIT'. However, the jewel in the crown is the epic, BEATLE-esque ballad 'TAKE A MINUTE'. Armed with a stringed quartet and some dramatic ivory tickling by CLARK, ,'TAKE A MINUTE' is just teh sort of  larger than life balladry that would have  any diva dialing up their managerand firing them for letting a song like this get away from them.  Making the pot even sweeter is the fact  that  unlike most pop ballads, this one doesn't collapse fromthe weight  of  self-absorption. Instead ,the thoughful piece  is  a moment to reflect on suffering in the world. Tremendous imagination and musicality are what make the band's debut EP fly and the fact that ths is only the beginning for the group is just way too exciting.

Other nominees for ARTIST OF THE MONTH included THE ONE THROUGH TENS, THE JiR PROJECT BAND, KATEY LAUREL, DANIEL PARK, KENNY YOUNG and STEVE STEELE. NEXCYX secured 39% of the vote.

ROCKWIRED.COM will be launching its latest ARTIST OF THE MONTH campaign on MARCH 1, 2011. Nominees for this latest wave include THE MASON AFFAIR, SUZI QUATRO, MICKI FREE, FINLAY MORTON, MICHAEL OLIVIERI, DEREK MILLER and EPIGENE. Polling is provided by MICROPOLL and is as simple as making a selection and clicking 'vote'.

While there is no trophy or huge payday for being an ARTIST OF THE MONTH winner, the benefits that come along with the title include expanded coverage and promotion. An ARTIST OF MONTH winner is awarded a month's worth of free site-wide advertising on ROCKWIRED.COM. A 60-second commercial spot promoting the winner and their album will be featured during every edition of ROCKWIRED RADIO PROFILES for an entire month.  The winner is also featured in a special edition of ROCKWIRED RADIO PROFILES.  Banners are also given to the winners to further promote their ARTIST OF THE MONTH status on their own website or press packets. Lastly, winners are mentioned on all ROCKWIRED-related announcements/press materials.

"This is only the begining for NEXCYX" says LUSH "You hear all too often about the disposability of today's pop music but these people haven't heard NEXCYX - a band with a real knockout punch and tremendous talent!!! "