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The judges, representing diverse musical backgrounds, this year voted online. The 29 bands were judged on overall sound quality, technical skills and competence, entertainment value, originality and creativity, and songwriting.

• Where: myspace.com/kxci.

• Cred: Jennings has studied the local music scene since the ’90s, when he began listening to local radio station KXCI (91.3-FM). He took a DJ class shortly thereafter and has hosted a weekly radio show, “Locals Only,” for almost a decade. “Locals Only” features interviews and in-studio performances with Tucson bands and artists. Jennings is a returning judge in the Battle of the Bands and has interviewed the past winners on his show.

• Where: aznightbuzz.com/blogs/ subbacultcha.

• Cred: A Tucson native, Lake set out for Los Angeles and worked for some major record labels. She later decided to escape the plasticity of the city for the fire-pit of her home in the Old Pueblo. She now works with local record label Bloat, helps book concerts around town, and makes yearly pilgrimages to SXSW in Austin, Texas, and the Coachella music festival in California.

She’s been a music critic and blogger for AZNightbuzz.com since 2005 and knows all the words to “Wham! Rap” by Wham!

• Where: myspace.com/leilasongs.

• Cred: Folk singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Lopez sounds a little like a more breathy version of Ani DiFranco.

She lists influences like Joni Mitchell and Gipsy Kings and has been playing music since she was a child. The Tucson native also has some Latin and jazz influences that seep into her music. You can often find her playing around town, and she has opened for acts like The Mountain Goats and Joanna Newsom.

She performs next at Club Congress’ free Festivus Celebration on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

Tim Tompkins

• Where: myspace.com/bigwordshow

• Cred: Founder and co-host of the weekly music Web series, “The Big Word Show,” on AZNightbuzz.com. The show highlights all aspects of the local music scene, from bands to venues to recording studios.

Tompkins works with local companies like Pro-Motion, Phenomenon Concerts, Twice The Ice and ND Promotions. He also manages the local band WORM and his favorite club for live music is Skirts. His favorite local band is 7 Days of May.

• Where: amochip.com.

• Cred: Multi-instrumentalist Dabney has played in various bands in a variety of genres, from African to world-beat to reggae to R&B and jazz.

He’s a two-time Grammy nominee for two albums he engineered, produced, performed on and composed music for. One was R. Carlos Nakai Quartet’s “People of Peace” in 2005.

In 2006, he worked with Gentle Thunder and Will Clipman on the Grammy-nominated album “Beyond Words.” He currently performs with the 17th Street Band, The Les Baxter Factor, The Wayback Machine and the R. Carlos Nakai Quartet.