Indie-Punk trio 3 Foot Ninja, based in the wilds of the North York Moors, are one of seven winning acts in a national competition organized by Youth Music. As a result they'll be opening for Pete and the Pirates at Barfly Birmingham on Tuesday 28^th October - part of a national tour organized by Youth Music in association with the Barfly Organisation.

Around twelve finalists were invited to London on Saturday 11^th to audition and be assessed by a panel lead by Austin Daboh (Music Coordinator at BBC1Xtra), with Achal Dillon (A&R, Sony Music), James Hannam (PRS Foundation and music producer), Adam Ryan (Barfly Organisation), Jason Lamont (CMO Management: Pete and the Pirates, Damon Albarn, Blur, Grace Jones, Morcheeba, Turin Brakes etc) alongside representatives of Youth Music.

Pete and the Pirates Manager Jason said "It is fantastic to see so much incredible talent amongst our next generation of young musicians - we had an utterly amazing field of kids to choose from, which made this competition so difficult to judge. Our winners are brimming with talent and are absolutely the best young acts from the UK today."

Austin Daboh said, "I was really impressed with 3 Foot Ninja on Saturday. I will be speaking to (BBC Radio 1 DJs) Zane Lowe & Huw Stephens about them today."

3 Foot Ninja are Jordan Bell, aged 16 (vocals and guitar), his brother Joseph (bass and backing vocals) and Sam Power (drums and backing vocals). Despite their age they've played over 100 gigs at venues ranging from pubs and clubs (including City Screen, York; the Studio, Hartlepool; the Forum, Darlington; Vivaz, Scarborough; the Georgian, Stockton-on-Tees; the Sesh, Hull; Gasworks, Bradford) to major events at Middlesbrough Town Hall, and Middlesbrough Empire. Festivals played include Middlesbrough Music Live, Stockton Riverside Fringe, Musicport Fringe, York Live, Blakey Festival etc etc. The Subways recently became fans of the band, asking 3 Foot Ninja to open for them at the Cockpit, Leeds and Manchester Academy in April 2008. With a steadily building reputation for hi-energy shows they've also shared billing with British Sea Power, Super Furry Animals, Cage the Elephant, Johnny Foreigner and Wilko Johnson.

Their new 5-track CD EP has a special edition (with DVD extras) release on 10^th November with the tracks currently available as high quality free downloads to fans and friends who contact them through www.cultfound.org/3footninja. Lo-bitrate streams are up at www.myspace.com/3footninja

Joseph Bell said, "It's great to have been selected out of all the bands who entered nationally. Looking forward to playing Birmingham Barfly and meeting Pete and the Pirates!"

In addition to the Birmingham gig 3 Foot Ninja play Suddaby's Malton on Saturday 25^th October; Love Music Hate Racism Halloween Party at Vivaz, Scarborough on Thursday 30^th October; City Screen, York on Thursday 13^th November; Whitby Now Festival at Whitby Spa Pavilion on Friday 14^th November and the Angel, Durham on Thursday 20^th November.