After sifting through 250 emerging bands, your votes and the expertise tastes of some of your favorite tastemakers, Spin Magazine and popchips are proud to announce New York City’s Pop Up Live finalist — Christine Hoberg!

With an infectious energy reminiscent of St. Vincent, Christine caught our attention by performing “Plain Faced Jane” on our new favorite mode of transportation, the East River Ferry.

Now the rest is up to you! Head on over to to the popchips Facebook page and vote for Christine, or one of the other contestants from Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago or Los Angeles… if you dare.  Remember, at stake for the grand prize is a performance on the Spin stage in Austin, TX. So show your fellow Brooklyn girl some love & vote!

Opened up this morning in a Austin, Texas Clarion (by Choice Hotels) Hotel. Thought it’d be a good time for the bad things/good things, a day before Austin City Limits kicks things off.

1. Good: Hotel was booked solid, the desk clerk said, but my girlfriend and I locked down a room on the inside over looking the pool with not a soul in sight.

2. Bad: Smoking room, two twins. Smells like an intoxicated Aunt craving breakfast.

3. Good: Counted 8 pillows in total, all surprisingly soft and comfortable.

4. Bad: The twin bed facing the mirror has clearly been used as the sex palace of thousands of others before us. The comforter has an Italy-shaped stain smack in the middle and we found hair in the sheets.

5. Good: The microwave works, enabling us to enjoy Austin favorite Stouffer’s Mac & Cheese.

6. Bad: It took 18 minutes to properly warm up.

7. Good: TV remote is satisfyingly responsive. No need for leaning to far to change from HGTV to CNN.

8. Bad: Says they have HBO, lies to our face.

9. Good: No bed bugs, so far, despite the fear.

10. Bad: Unidentifiable bugs in the bath tub, sent packing with the morning shower.