Posts Tagged ‘LEAF Community Arts’

Jenny Fares: LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition Judge

Sunday, May 8th, 2022

NewSong Music is readying for this year’s LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition and Showcase.

The event is a collaborative effort between NewSong Music and LEAF Community Arts. It aims to identify and recognize exceptional performers and songwriters from across the country. The finalists are invited to network and compete at the Spring LEAF Retreat, on Saturday, May 14.

Judges for the event include artists and music industry professionals in Asheville, N.C.

A creative force to be reckoned with, Jenny Fares has been an active player in Asheville’s artistic community for nearly thirteen years. Jenny is a mover, shaker, and all around crowd rouser. Her collaborations are a walloping cacophony of sound and fury, art and fun. She thrives in creative, energetic circles – and it shows. She was featured on the cover of Asheville Citizen-Times for creating a “legacy of innovative music programming” for the city. She founded and ran Music Video Asheville for 5 years and the Brown Bag Songwriting Competition. As the former lead singer of Asheville folk favorite, Jen and the Juice, she headlined area festivals including LAAFF and Downtown After Five, and the band’s record Meet the Hooligans of Bohemia was named among the top 10 regional albums of 2006 by 88.7 WNCW.

 

Coppa Stone: LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition Judge

Friday, May 6th, 2022

The May 14 competition, held at the LEAF Retreat, will be judged by a panel of Asheville-based music industry professionals.

Originally from Kingston, Jamaica, Coppa Stone is a father, artist, writer, educator, scholar, and a self-proclaimed day dreamer. His earliest musical memories are of Roots, Rocksteady and Dub, mixed with Reggae and a touch of Rock, R&B and Soul. Upon relocating to the U.S., his love for music continued to grow alongside this thing called Hip-Hop. During the day, he plays the role of a mild-mannered Education Director at a nonprofit, but at night, he changes into his alter ego, a Hip-Hop & Reggae music artist.  

Here’s a bit more about Coppa, in his own words, from an Islandstagemag.com interview:

I am definitely a product of my parents creativity. My mother sings, and my father plays both the piano and organ, so it could only be natural that music and art would be an active part of my life.

[My inspirations range] from the Beatles to the Maytals, from Peter Tosh to Bob Marley to Nina Simone, from Colin Channer to Edwidge Danticat to Jack Kerouac, from Kamau Brathwaite to Saul Williams, from Roots Manuva to Mos Def to Tanya Stephens to Protoje to Lauryn Hill and straight back to The Roots…the list goes on and on.

Growing up in school, my teachers would always encourage me to pursue a career in writing, because they believed I was a naturally good writer. I started out writing short stories, then gradually poetry, which then later developed into lyrics and rhymes. It wasn’t until I went away to college that I was brave enough to actually share these rhymes and lyrics with others. So, my musical journey as an artist began in Gainesville, Florida, where I was a member of an underground collective called 101 Vibes.

Stay tuned for more about Coppa, including a music video.

 

Q+A with LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition Finalist Philip Bowen

Thursday, May 5th, 2022

Born and raised in West Virginia, Philip Bowen’s uplifting sound is heavily inspired by his Appalachian roots. The dynamic singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist began playing fiddle at the age of four, and his virtuoso skills have become quite popular on TikTok, with over 3 million likes and 540k followers on the platform alone. His popularity on the app even propelled him to win TikTok’s Gamers Greatest Talent competition, earning $25k and beating out thousands of other competitors.

Bowen has been writing songs since he was a teenager, but never thought it would be possible to have a career in music. After earning an MBA from the University of Tampa, a friend encouraged him to create an account on TikTok and his fiddle covers and original songs took on a life of their own.

He continues to release his original music, spreading his message of positivity to an audience that has been growing rapidly. With guest spots on Ross Golan’s “And the demo is…”  and praise from Yahoo, PopMatters, and Atwood Magazine, it’s easy to see why the Nashville Songwriters Association International dubbed this inspirational artist “one to watch.”

NewSong Music: What inspired you to enter the NewSong Contest?

Philip: I originally heard about it a few years ago, and was immediately intrigued and wanted to submit my songs. 

What was your introduction to music?

 
I’ve been playing the fiddle since I was 4 years old, and grew up going to festivals like the Vandalia Gathering in Charleston, WV. Music is a huge part of Appalachian Culture and was always in the house. 

What is the first song you wrote that you were proud of, and why?

 
I wrote this song called, “Almost Heaven” about how much I was missing home during my college years. I played it all around town at coffee shops and beach restaurants (I went to school in Clearwater, FL) and it was the first time I saw audience members with happy tears at something I’d written. 
 
What instrument do you play, and why?
 
I play the fiddle/violin, guitar, keys, and a little mandolin. Fiddle is my first love, but guitar has a special place in my heart because it is my main writing instrument.
How did the pandemic impact you as an artist (for better or worse)?
 
Well, it honestly provided a crazy amount of growth for me in my music performing and songwriting. I made a commitment going into 2020 that I would do something every single day towards my music and make a real go of it. Of course, COVID hit, but I wanted to keep to my commitment and so I started finding ways to do music online and it changed my life. I’ve met and collaborated with so many people, and it’s been such a joy to see things grow. 
 

Does the place where you grew up inspire you as an artist? If so, in what way?

 
Oh yes. My West Virginia/Appalachia home inspires almost everything I do. WV is such a special place, and it’s given me so much inspiration in my writing. The people are special and so is the scenery, and they inspire me every time I write a song. 

In what ways does the craft of songwriting still surprise you?

 
I’m always amazed at how a song can come together, sometimes seemingly out of thin air or when you are at your most frustrated with the songwriting process. One of the things I love most about songwriting, is the challenge of telling a deep, emotional story, but having to do it with relatively few words. I love the marriage of melody and prose. It’s terrifying at times, but it’s so addictive. 

What are some of your creative goals for this year?

 
I want to write my best songs yet. I also want to do more collaborating and co-writing with other songwriters. I want to inspire as many folks as I can. 

Q+A with LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition Finalist Kelly Hoppenjans

Wednesday, May 4th, 2022
Nashville singer-songwriter Kelly Hoppenjans creates empowering rock, combining the spirit of riot grrrl tinged with folky introspection. The follow-up to her energetic 2019 full-length debut, OK, I Feel Better Now, her new EP Can’t Get the Dark Out dives deep into relationships, fate, and breaking free of toxic patterns. The EP is inspired in part by Hoppenjans’ journey of finding love during the pandemic: navigating online dating, confinement, and impending life changes to sustain that love.
 

NewSong Music: What was your introduction to music?

Kelly: I asked for a guitar for Christmas when I was about 10 years old, because I thought girls who played guitar were cool and I wanted to be just like Jewel — I’m a ’90s kid through and through! 

What is the first song you wrote that you were proud of, and why?

 
I wrote some pretty cringey songs when I was a kid, but I was still proud of them at the time! As an adult, the first song I was really truly proud of was called “Bird in a Tree,” and it’s on the first EP I ever released. I wrote it to remind myself why I make music, and that’s because it makes me happy, not because I want the accolades or the glory. I used to sing it at bar gigs when I was background noise, to make myself feel better about the fact that nobody was listening. And I still really love that song, years later! 

What are some of your creative goals for this year?
 
I’ve been working on writing poetry as a new creative outlet for the past few years, and I’m hoping to publish a collection of poems this year! Other than that, just writing songs and trying to stay balanced 🙂 
 

Q+A with LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition Finalist Kristian Phillip Valentino

Tuesday, May 3rd, 2022

Kristian Phillip Valentino is a solo acoustic, singer-songwriter born and raised in the Chicago suburbs and now residing in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, North Carolina. His musical palette falls between the lines of indie folk, singer-songwriter and Americana. Fans of Gregory Alan Isakov, Iron and Wine and Jason Isbell will feel comfortable here. His lyrics are a healing balm from the daily struggle as they wash over you with a deep reverence. 

After the passing of his father, ending up homeless and being broken up with all within one month, Kristian began writing songs in the summer of 2010, as a way to start processing all he’d been through and begin the healing process.

NewSong Music: What inspired you to enter the NewSong Contest?

KVP: I’ve entered the past few years and I’ve heard great things from prior winners. The exposure alone is worth the submission. 

How did the pandemic impact you as an artist (for better or worse)?

I took the pandemic as a sign to work on personal growth and my mental health overall. I believe because I did this my songwriting and personal life have greatly improved. Some of my best songs have come from this time.

In what ways does the craft of songwriting still surprise you?

I find myself being surprised all the time. Especially when a melody pops up over chords I’ve been playing over and over through the years. It’s like the songs find me first and I just follow along to the finish line.

Q+A with LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition Finalist Stephen Sylvester

Sunday, May 1st, 2022

Who’s over six feet tall, an old soul, and definitely doesn’t have a “V” in his first name? You guessed it—Stephen Sylvester, a down-to-earth country artist whose unique and powerful voice is reminiscent of the great R&B singers of the ’60s. He’s living just like his mama taught him, a true-to-his-roots force to be reckoned with. You’ll want to remember this true Southern gentleman: check out Stephen Sylvester’s new album Let Me Be Strong on Spotify or Apple Music.

NewSong Music: What was your intro to music?

My dad was a prolific Christian singer-songwriter in the ’90s, so music was a part of our home from my earliest memories. That plus all the Disney movies meant young Stephen sang A LOT, but my musical awakening happened because of Stevie Wonder, oddly enough. I distinctly remember hearing him sing when I was about 7 or 8 and thinking “I’m going to do that one day.”
 
What is the first song you wrote that you were proud of, and why?
 
That would have to be “I Promise You,” which is the song I submitted for the contest (how poetic is that?!). It’s one of my oldest songs that I’m not embarrassed to play, and it was the one that caused my first experience moving an audience emotionally. I played it for folks I didn’t know in a wine bar years ago, closed my eyes for most of it, and when I opened them everyone was crying. After that moment I figured I didn’t have much choice but to be a songwriter.

 
What instrument do you play, and why?
 
Full disclosure – I started playing acoustic guitar at 16 specifically to get a girlfriend. It didn’t work, but I fell in love with music instead! My first instrument was actually drums, and that’s still my favorite one to play, but it’s hard to be a solo performer (or get a girlfriend) as a drummer.
 
How did the pandemic impact you as a performer, for better or worse?
 
Ooof, yeah the pandemic was rough for me as I know it was for all performers and gig workers. I had about four solid months of no gigs whatsoever, and then opportunities to play started coming back slowly. Today, two years later, I’m only just now back to what I would call a regular performing schedule. The benefit, though, was that all the extra time meant way more opportunities to write, so I write and virtually co-wrote songs like a madman! And I can credit the pandemic for helping me become a much better writer if we’re talking silver linings.
 
Does the place you grew up inspire you as an artist? If so, in what way?
 
Yes absolutely, I think Coastal Alabama is about as inspiring of a place to grow up in as a kid could ask for. Scenery-wise it’s full of gorgeous beaches and wildlife, which have been a great source of visual inspiration for me. It’s also still a developing area of the country, so if as a kid I didn’t experience hardship directly it was right there in front of me. And drawing from those stories has been just as powerful of a songwriting inspiration for me as my own experiences, if not more.
 
In what ways does the craft of songwriting still surprise you?
 
The magic!! I’m the type of person who wants to over-analyze and really dig into how things work so that I can improve. But songwriting really doesn’t work like that. You get better by practicing and try new methods and know how rhyme and meter work, but there’s still something unquantifiable about writing a song. Which, for me, can be frustrating, but it’s also incredible to experience in real time – songwriting is literally magical.
 
What are some of your creative goals for this year?
 
Well my goal every year is to get George Strait to record a song I wrote for him (haha) but I’m also actively playing more regional shows now that the world seems to be opening up for music again. My manager and I are pitching songs to publishing companies trying to get me a deal, and I’m still writing and performing all the time. My unrealistic goal is to quit my day job and do full-time music by the end of the year, and who knows? I’ve been pleasantly surprised too often to think it’s impossible!
 

Q+A With LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition Finalist Sadie Gustafson-Zook

Friday, April 29th, 2022

Sadie Gustafson-Zook is a versatile singer, intricate guitar player, and contagious songwriter. Her pure voice and hummable melodies balance with witty lyrics to create charmingly honest and relatable music. Indiana-grown, Boston-nurtured, and Nashville-based, Sadie has brought her lovable stories and songs to audiences across the country, in homes, churches, and renowned folk venues and festivals across the country, including Club Passim, The Purple Fiddle, Walnut Valley Festival, Red Wing Roots, and more. Sadie is a two-time Kerrville New Folk finalist, has been featured on the Folk Alley and the Basic Folk podcast, and holds a master’s degree in Jazz and Contemporary Music from Longy School of Music in Cambridge, MA. On her new album “Sin of Certainty,” Sadie explores the process of questioning all that she had taken for granted, through finding a new community in the roots scene of Boston, studying jazz, and coming out as queer.

NewSong Music: What inspired you to enter the NewSong Contest?
 
Sadie: I have had a number of friends who have done well in this competition and it seems like NewSong treats the winners super well, especially in terms of continued publicity, and so that was a major factor that made the NewSong contest seem appealing. 
 
What was your introduction to music?
 
My parents are both musicians so I was kind of indoctrinated into a family band at the age of 6 (once I had been playing violin for two years), but music has generally been around me for my whole life. 
 
What is the first song you wrote that you were proud of, and why?
 
In 5th grade I wrote my first official song called “My Tears Are Melting Away,” which described an incident on the playground in which my crush was taken to the hospital in an ambulance, and I felt so many feelings about it, so I wrote those feelings into a song. I was proud of it because it was my first fully formed song that was more than a ditty, and it was a really helpful way for me to express my emotions (however dramatic they were as a 12 year old in love lol). 
 
What instrument do you play, and why?
 
I’d consider myself a multi-instrumentalist, but for songwriting I’ve found guitar to be my chosen instrument. I love (and hate) how complicated and versatile the guitar can be. Even though I started playing when I was 12 I never run out of new things to learn! I also have been working on banjo and grew up playing stringed instruments. 
 
How did the pandemic impact you as an artist (for better or worse)?
 
I went through many different phases in the pandemic as it relates to my artistry. I started off with a lot of momentum, running a kickstarter, and practicing for hours every day (though I could only do covers- for whatever reason I was pretty much unable to write for a large chunk of the pandemic). Then I kind of got into a slump where I wasn’t making much music at all. Around this time I also got a remote part-time job (in addition to teaching voice/guitar lessons over zoom), which took a lot of the pressure off of music to pay my bills. I think was a very positive thing that allowed me to start creating music again without the added stress of “I should be booking.” That being said, I felt really removed from music for a long time and I wasn’t sure what my future would look like. Between 2020-2021 I was also recording an album (in chunks) which felt like a really distinct detour from my normal pandemic life (and a reference to my pre-pandemic life). It was a really welcome reminder that I am a musician and I am skilled, but it also felt pretty surreal to travel to NYC, record, have this whole very musical experience, and then come back home to my slow indoor life. 

 
Does the place where you grew up inspire you as an artist? If so, in what way?
 
I grew up in a liberal Mennonite community in Indiana, and there was a huge emphasis on the importance of being of service to other people, which I think was confusing to me for a long time as it related to my songwriting. I found myself feeling like I wasn’t doing a good job unless I had a really tangibly service-oriented profession (like being a teacher or social worker, etc). But as I’ve grown up a bit and lived outside of my hometown I’ve found that my songs are actually quite helpful to a lot of people, and that devaluing their power is a disservice to my artistry. So I suppose I keep that in the back of my mind when I write songs now– the acknowledgement that simply by sharing my own experience I can help someone else feel more heard and understood, which is a really important job! 
 
In what ways does the craft of songwriting still surprise you?
 
It’s so easy to fall into a pattern of how I write music, and the more I write, the more clearly I can see what my tendencies are. Lately I’ve been listening to a lot of music and writing a lot, and it’s been a joy to notice interesting things that other songwriters do in their work, and to experiment with ways that I can incorporate those ideas in my songs. So I guess it’s just surprising that it’s such a unique process and there are so many ways to write a song!
 
What are some of your creative goals for this year?
 
I recently moved to Nashville, and since arriving I’ve found myself really digging into my creative pursuits (in all mediums). I’ve gotten really into print-making and embroidery, I’ve been digging into arranging my room, I’ve been spilling out songs (and keeping track of what I’ve written so even if it’s not a keeper, I still have record of my work), and I started the year strong with morning pages (freewriting 3 pages each morning- an idea from the book The Artist’s Way), which I’m hoping to recommit to soon. In addition to prioritizing these more solitary creative pursuits, I want to work with other people more, maybe make a band (especially since I now live around so many musicians) and play music with my friends!

NewSong Music announces finalists for 8th annual LEAF Festival singer-songwriter competition & showcase

Saturday, April 16th, 2022

NewSong Music announces the eight finalists who will perform at this year’s LEAF Festival singer-songwriter competition and showcase.

The event is a collaborative effort between NewSong Music and LEAF Community Arts. It aims to identify and recognize exceptional performers and songwriters from across the country. The finalists are invited to network and compete at the Spring LEAF Retreat, on Saturday, May 14.

This year’s finalists for the LEAF competition are: Grace Morrison, a country-pop artist based in Massachusetts; American Idol alum Stephen Sylvester, who calls the Gulf Coast home; Louisiana native Rachard Dennis, a poet-teacher-rapper; indie-folk artist Kristian Phillip Valentino, from North Carolina; Tennessee-based indie-rocker Kelly Hoppenjans; Sadie Gustafson-Zook, also based in Tennessee, a versatile singer and intricate guitarist; roots musician Philip Bowen from West Virginia; and Justin Poindexter + Sasha Papernik from New York who make up the award-winning Americana duo Our Band.

 

 

The winner of the LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition, selected from a panel of music industry judges, will earn a spot as one of only eight finalists at the annual International NewSong Competition, held in Asheville in the fall. The winner will also return to the Fall LEAF Festival, held October 20-23, 2022, as a featured, paid performer.

The LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition is always a memorable experience where songs are shared, friendships are forged, and great music finds a welcome and supportive audience. It’s worth noting that the event is not intended to be a cut-throat music competition. Instead, NewSong is committed to building and supporting a community and network of outstanding artists.

About NewSong Music

Now in its 21st year, NewSong Music is an independent artist development organization and independent record label. Its mission is to identify and celebrate truly exceptional artists, and to build and support a community of performers and songwriters across all genres of music.

About LEAF Community Arts

LEAF Community Arts is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization with a mission to connect cultures and create community through music and arts. LEAF is comprised of two key cultural arts education programs, LEAF Schools & Streets and LEAF International, as well as two signature events, LEAF Festival and LEAF Downtown.  Attendance at LEAF Festival provides a family-friendly weekend experience infused with music and arts while supporting the long-term vision of the organization. Since 1995, LEAF has served over 200,000+ youth with programs in over 15 community locations and in 10 countries worldwide. Learn more at www.theLEAF.org.

Announcing the 6th annual LEAF Festival Singer-Songwriter Competition

Thursday, February 28th, 2019

NewSong Music and the LEAF Festival announce the 6th Annual LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition.

 

Friday, February 29. (Asheville, NC) – LEAF Community Arts (LEAF) and NewSong Music are pleased to announce the launch of the 6th annual LEAF Festival Singer-Songwriter Competition.

With a mission to identify and celebrate exceptional performers and songwriters from across North America, the competition aims to bring some of the continent’s most accomplished emerging artists to showcase, network and compete at the 48th LEAF Festival, which takes place May 9-12, 2019. Festival headliners include India Arie, Shovels and Rope and the War and Treaty.

The LEAF Festival Competition is accepting original song submissions now through Thursday, April 11, with discounted ‘Early Bird’ submissions ending Wednesday, March 13. 

LEARN MORE & ENTER

Judges will select eight finalists from the pool of entries, who will perform in the live showcase and competition finals at the Spring LEAF Festival on Saturday, May 11, 2019. A panel of music industry judges there will select the overall winner of the competition.


2018 NewSong Presents: LEAF Festival Competition winner Carly Taich

The GRAND PRIZE winner will be awarded a paid, featured performance (including lodging & accommodations) at the Fall 2019 LEAF Festival, held October 17-20 in Black Mountain, NC (near Asheville). The winner will also advance to perform and compete later this year in the live performance finals of the 17th annual, international NewSong Music Performance & Songwriting Competition.

 

LEARN MORE & ENTER

Carly Taich wins the fifth annual LEAF Festival Singer-Songwriter Competition, presented by NewSong Music

Monday, May 14th, 2018
 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Folk-pop artist Carly Taich has been named the winner of the fifth annual LEAF Festival Singer-Songwriter Competition, presented by NewSong Music. Taich – who along with seven other finalist singer-songwriter solo and duo acts – was selected from more than 500 entries to this year’s contest. The finalists performed at LEAF Saturday, May 12, in front of the packed Barn venue and judges Gar Ragland, music producer and founder of NewSong Music; Alli Marshall, arts editor at Mountain Xpress; and Jeff Santiago, a local musician and operations manager at the Orange Peel.

2018 LEAF Contest winner Carly Taich, performing with accompanist/violinist Alex Travers on Saturday, May 12 in the Barn at the 46th LEAF Festival in Black Mountain, NC.

 

 

Other finalists were Alexa Rose from Asheville, NC; Randy Steele from Chattanooga, TN; My One and Only from Nashville, TN; Lee Jean Jr. from Raefield, NC; Joe Shields from Northern Michigan; and Leon + the Fantastic from San Mateo, CA. Taich, My One and Only and Alexa Rose were the three songwriters selected to move on to the second and final round.

Taich will release a new single this summer, the first release since her October 2017 album titled Reverie. Her music video for her song “Give Me a Likeness” recently won “Best Soundtrack” at the Music Video Asheville awards show. She, along with her band, will perform at Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival this June.

 

 

Of her time spent at the LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition, Taich says, “The LEAF/NewSong Competition was awesome. From start to finish, a great experience. I loved their emphasis on it being a celebration of songwriting rather than a cut-throat competition.”

Taich says she played mostly new songs at the competition, as opposed to what she calls “the more tried and true stuff.” This made the win that much sweeter, says the songwriter. “This really affirmed the direction I’m going with my writing,” says Taich. “I have so much respect for the judges and admire their work, so that makes the win all the more rewarding. I’m so grateful to NewSong, LEAF, and my good friend Alex Travers for accompanying me on violin and adding greater depth to my songs. I am still pinching myself that I get to perform at the fall LEAF later this year!”

“We had an outstanding pool of finalists this year for the 5th annual LEAF Competition,” says NewSong founder and producer Ragland. “I’m always amazed at the caliber of songwriting and performances each year, and this year was certainly no exception.”

“The caliber of musicianship was so high, and the creativity really on-point.” says judge Alli Marshall. “Each artist managed to channel themes and sounds from the American songbook while bringing something truly authentic to the stage. From roots-country to radio-ready pop, it was a thrilling showcase.”

Adding to that, judge Jeff Santiago, an accomplished songwriter and performer himself, says “Choosing this year’s winner was quite difficult. I felt Carly made bold choices in her writing, as well as the selection of songs she presented.”

As the winner of the LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition, Taich will receive a paid, featured performance at the fall 2018 LEAF Festival (October 18-21, in Black Mountain, NC), including lodging and accommodations. She’ll also receive an opening performance at Asheville’s the Grey Eagle music venue on Thursday, October 18, for artist Eileen Jewell, and a featured performance on Wednesday, October 17, in the Lounge at Asheville’s Isis Music Hall.

Taich also advances as a finalist in the 17th annual, international NewSong Showcase and Competition, held later this year. The grand-prize winner of that contest will be awarded the opportunity to make a six-song EP, recorded and mixed at Echo Mountain Recording Studios in Asheville and released on the NewSong Recordings label; and a performance showcase at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival’s coveted ASCAP Music Café. The 2018 NewSong Music Contest is now accepting entries.