Following the success of last year’s inaugural Nokia Connecting Beats competition for up and coming dance producers, details for the 2005 search have now been announced.

My Ninja Lover from Brisbane were awarded the top spot in 2004, and for their efforts were flown to the UK to meet with record labels Finger Lickin’, Fat! and Catskills. They also appeared at one of the UK’s leading breaks nights, Chew the Fat at The End.

While the 2005 competition was open to producers of drum & bass, breaks and hip-hop only, this time around the field has been widened to encompass music from all electronic music genres - be it house, techno, electro, techno, downtempo, broken beat and trance, along with last year’s focus of drum & bass, breaks and hip-hop.

12 finalists will be chosen by a panel of industry professionals, with each of the finalists to receive studio mastering of their submission for inclusion on the Connecting Beats CD and mobile phones from Nokia.

The grand prize winner will have a 4 track EP mastered and packaged, will be flown internationally to meet with the record label of their choice from the list of Connecting Beats partners, and will also feature on the Connecting Beats tour later in 2005.

Record label partners this year include Catskills, Compost, Finger Lickin’, Full Cycle, Hospital, Hussle, Loop, Ninja Tune, Southern Fried and TCR, with more still to be announced.

So, if you’re a budding producer, head to http://www.connectingbeats.com.au to find out how to submit your track for the competition. The closing date for submissions is midnight on Saturday May 7th, with finalists to be announced on May 24th.

Stay tuned to ITM for updates.