Music defies all backgrounds and genres. For some it is just a hobby, and for others it’s the dream. Five bands are ready to battle for their dream it out at SEB’s Acoustic Battle of the Bands.

The Battle of the Bands is an annual showcase in which WSU students are able to demonstrate their talents and compete for prizes. Keyboards, hand drums, any acoustic string instrument, and woodwind instruments are allowed.

The Battle helps students get performance experience, but it also allows student bands to connect with each other.

“It is a good experience, as well as a networking opportunity with other artists in the Pullman area,” said Andrew Turner, junior vocal performance major.

Luke Olson, a senior music major, and Isaac Olson, a senior civil engineer major, make up the aptly named duo, The Olson Brothers. Battling for the first time, the duo will play all original songs.

“We like to play music and love to play in front of people,” Luke said. “This time of year is sort of slow, so ABOB is the perfect opportunity to stay fresh and promote future concerts.”

Keith Hillaire, a junior physics major, will be performing in front of a live audience for the second time in his life at the battle. He said it’s exciting to play in front of people because he usually plays by himself in his living room.

Flightless, as he likes to call himself, is a mixture between punk, folk and blues sounds.

“I try to go for a punk sound, but when I play it ends up coming out folk and blues sounding,” he said.

After competing in the event three times with a group, senior electrical engineer major Eric Goodwin said this will be his first solo performance.

“It’s going to be fun performing,” he said. “I’ve always performed with a band, so it will be interesting to see the audience reactions when I am by myself.”

The winner of the battle, which takes place tonight at 9 p.m. in the CUB Auditorium, will be given a performance slot for Springfest in April.