Hot Pursuit Winners Enter Quarterfinals

The Hot Pursuit, Spin magazine and Music Nation's online challenge in search of the next breakout rock act, has pushed two more bands into the next round: the quarterfinals! And this week's winners are Nashville-based troubadour Tofer Brown, who judge and Spin editor Doug Brod calls "impressive" thanks to his "thoroughly engaging voice" and "memorable songs," plus hard rockers Lake Effekt, hailing from Swannanoa, NC. The two now move forward, joining other victorious acts like rock quartet the Soldier Thread and MC/singer/producer The G Clef.

Check out this week's winners' tunes below, as well as those from other popular contestants -- Chicago's art-punkers Victorian Halls and industrial shock rockers Pedestrian X from Upstate New York -- and then head over to spin.musicnation.com and enter to win, or just browse the thousands of bands and help us pick the winners!