he hottest up-and-coming female-fronted band in the country

This past September, maurices partnered with PlayNetwork and Sonicbids to search for the hottest up-and-coming female-fronted band in the country. After several months of competition, consumers selected the Illinois-based band Audri & Aaron, honoring the duo with the opportunity to perform along with influential hit-makers The Bangles and Minnesota-based Indie girl group Sick of Sarah in a private daytime party at South by Southwest. maurices is also the presenting sponsor of an official SXSW evening showcase benefiting Girls Rock Camp Austin, a weeklong summer program for girls ages 10-18, half of whom come from low-income backgrounds.

"It's important for us, as a small town retailer of young women's fashion, to look for ways we can give back to the communities that support us and continue to build strong connections by offering our consumers opportunities they may not have had otherwise," said Lisa Bartlett, maurices associate vice president of marketing. "Audri & Aaron truly represent our 'Small Town Sound' theme and we're excited we could offer them the chance to launch their career at one of music's top venues."

"Small Town Sound" Private Daytime Party maurices will host a private daytime party at Speakeasy on Thursday, March 17, from 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Acoustic/soul/pop duo Audri & Aaron will perform along with Sick of Sarah and The Bangles. The showcase is free and open to the public.

Girls Rock Camp Following the private party at Speakeasy, maurices will act as presenting sponsor of the Girls Rock Camp Austin showcase featuring The Bangles, Sick of Sarah, and Smoosh and Schmillion at Cedar Street from 8 p.m. - 2 a.m.

The Bangles Influential hit makers, The Bangles, announced the release of their vinyl EP "Sweetheart of the Sun," set for exclusive distribution throughout select maurices retail stores starting the week of March 21, with the latest tracks from the group's new album scheduled for release this summer. In a deal brokered by PlayNetwork, producers of unrivaled media experiences for brands worldwide, the band and maurices deliver this limited-edition vinyl release as part of the retailer's "Small Town Sound" nationwide band search.