The Hot Pursuit contest could be called something like an online "American Idol." That's because the talent search launched by Spin Magazine, Henessey Cognac and Music Nation is using the Internet to find young talent worthy of a boost.

The competition combines listener recommendations and judges evaluations to give emerging artists the mass exposure they want while expsoing their music to the industry labels they need.

The competition began in mid-May and for the first five weeks artists urged listeners to go online and vote daily. The top 500 vote-earners then moved on to the current semifinal round, which lasts four weeks.

Listeners can go online and vote between now and July 18. In the semifinals, musicians are randomly put head to head and listeners are asked to watch opposing bands and vote. At the completion of the round, the remaining 20 artists -- along with four artists picked by Spin magazine -- head to the finals to perform live for a panel of judges.

Among the judges are artist / producer Butch Walker; Peter Bjorn and John's Peter Morén; Amanda Palmer of The Dresden Dolls; comedian / actor / writer Michael Showalter; and Doug Brod, editor of Spin magazine.

The competition winner -- who will be announced by July 31 -- nabs a record contract, two Gibson guitars, a feature on Spin.com and a slot to play at Spin's "Year-In- Music" event.