Posts Tagged ‘newsong contest’

Early Bird entries to NewSong Competition end July 24

Saturday, July 23rd, 2022

The ‘Early Bird’ discounted entry fee to enter this year’s NewSong Music Performance and Songwriting Competition ends at 11:59 PM EDT this Sunday, July 24. Prices are currently 1 song: $40; 2 songs: $70; additional songs: $25 each.

The final deadline to enter the competition is Sunday, Sept. 18, but submission fees increase after July 24.

From the early entries, we will select one ‘Early Bird’ finalist, who will advance to this year’s live performance showcase and competition finals, which will take place on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at Citizen Vinyl in downtown Asheville.

All entrants will remain in the running for the remaining finalist spots, which will be announced later in the year. To enter, you need an MP3 of each of your songs you’d like to submit, and a non-mobile device to upload your work. Production quality of the recording is not a determining factor for consideration in the contest so don’t be shy to go full DIY.

There is no limit to how many songs you may submit, so enter often and early to become a finalist and win the 2021 Grand Prize!

More about the competition: NewSong Music’s curated showcases have been a fixture in the national music scene since 2001. The competition finals, formerly staged in New York City at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, relocated to Asheville, N.C. in 2017.

Eight finalists, selected from online submissions from across North America and beyond, will bring their musical magic to Asheville where they will perform, compete, and connect with one another. A panel of music industry judges will select one grand prize winner to receive a fully funded six-song EP, recorded and mixed at Citizen Studios, plus 300 vinyl records pressed at Citizen Vinyl, and a featured, paid performance at Arts Brookfield’s Summer Concert Series in New York City in the summer of 2023.

Past NewSong winners and standouts include Ingrid Michaelson, Meghan Trainor, Max Hatt/Edda Glass, Grace Potter, and Crys Matthews.

 

 

Q+A with LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition Finalist Our Band

Monday, April 25th, 2022

Our Band will win your heart. Steeped in the tradition of great male and female duets such as Johnny Cash and June Carter, Sasha Papernik and Justin Poindexter bring their award-winning songwriting, intimate harmonies, and Eastern-European flair to a rich Americana soundscape. Together, they have performed for audiences in some of the world’s greatest venues, from Carnegie Hall to Lincoln Center to the Smithsonian Museum of American Art. In 2018-19 they toured Poland, Germany and Estonia as ambassadors of American music for U.S. State Department. Their debut album, featuring American music legend David Amram, was released to critical acclaim in 2021.   

NewSong Music: What was your introduction to music?

Justin: My dad is a country singer and guitar player, and he played at a lot of NASCAR events when I was growing up. Though we certainly have different styles, the apple didn’t fall too far from the tree.

Sasha: I started playing classical piano when I was four and went through conservatory studying classical piano performance. 

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

Justin: I wrote a song for Alison Krauss once. She never sang it, and probably never even heard it, but I remember when I finished it, I knew that she would sound great singing it, and just having that feeling was new and amazing.

Sasha: I wrote a raw burner of a breakup song and it was SO MUCH FUN. I played it at a show at The Bitter End in New York City and although I’d performed for audiences since I was a little kid I’d never been so nervous in my life. Not interpreting someone else’s music like I’d always done but putting it all out there: my words, my music, my story, and connecting to people like that was electrifying. 

What instrument do you play, and why?

Justin: I play guitar, and it allows me to play in so many genres that I love, as well as giving me an excuse to keep lots of fun and sexy guitars around.

Sasha: I play the piano because I fell in love with everything about it when I was four. I also play the accordion because it channels my Eastern European heritage. 

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

Justin: Being home consistently after several harried years of running around connected our family in deep and lasting ways. I’m proud of the team we have become.

Sasha: The pandemic highlighted for me how fleeting our time really is. I decided to focus on my young family, being an active member of my community, and the music that I truly wanted to play, compose, learn and teach. The pandemic didn’t give me more time – we were juggling a baby and a 4-year old with no childcare, but the time I did have was 100% spent on what I wanted to do. 

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

Justin: I grew up in North Carolina, and the people I grew up around are amazing, inspiring and hilarious characters. They are a wellspring of songwriting fodder.

Sasha: My parents are from Russia. Their story of immigration and my identity as a first generation American is a constant source of inspiration to me as an artist. 

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

Justin: It’s all architecture, but without some kind of sincere emotion, the house doesn’t stand. 

Sasha: I’m always still surprised when a great song seems to just make itself known – like it’s always been there – complete. 

What are some of your creative goals for this year?

Justin: Our recent collaboration with the wonderful lap steel player, Cindy Cashdollar, was incredibly fruitful. Sometimes I think having another collaborator can really bring out the best in mine and Sasha’s artistry. I hope to do more collaboration.

Sasha: I plan to begin work on a musical project telling the stories of my family and their friends as they immigrated to this country. 

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.

Mel Bryant returns as guest performer for 2019 NewSong Finals

Monday, November 4th, 2019

NewSong is proud to announce that Mel Bryant — winner of the 2018 NewSong Competition — will return to Asheville this November as a guest performer for this year’s final competition. 

The 18th NewSong Music Performance & Songwriting Competition final event takes place at Isis Music Hall on Saturday, November 23. Tickets available here

We are thrilled to have Bryant return to the Isis stage. We recently asked the artist about her music career post-win, as well as her advice for the new group of finalists.  

“Focus less on yourself and more on who you’re surrounded by,” says Bryant. “The best thing about the NewSong Competition, aside from the amazing prizes and the beautiful show that’s put on for the finale, is the community created by all the wonderful musicians that have come through this program.” 

 

NewSong: It’s been a year since you won the 2018 NewSong competition! Could you give us the highlight reel of what you have been up to? 

 
Mel Bryant: Since winning the 2018 NewSong Competition, there’s been a great many amazing opportunities provided by NewSong, and truthfully most, if not all, of the highlights for the year have been thanks to NewSong. Performing at Sundance Film Festival in January was both musically inspiring and environmentally thrilling, from the beautiful snow kissed slopes and the exhilarating movie screenings to the magnificent people that we met and performed for along the way. Over the summer, we were able to build not one but TWO full tours from Nashville to New York City, with Arts Brookfield shows at the center of both, providing incredible stages, amazing sound, and wonderful audiences that often returned for multiple dates of our tours! Because of those NYC shows, I’ve been hearing from international fans asking about new music and when they’ll hear from us again.
 
That being said, we’ve made serious strides in our own studio in Nashville for our debut album as a band, and we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. We hope to have the album set for release in January, with a single coming out very soon. We’ve had dozens of successful shows and lots of wonderful times making new music and meeting new collaborators, and we are especially excited to meet and hear the finalists this year. I’m sure it’ll be another highlight to add to the reel!
 

How did winning the NewSong competition affect you personally? How has it affected your career?

 
Winning the NewSong competition was an immensely needed confidence boost in a time when I can personally get mired in self criticism of my music and the value of my art. It feels so wonderful to know there are really amazing people in the NewSong family that are rooting for me and helping to bolster my belief in myself. It has given me so much freedom and power to carry on making more music and consistently improving and honing my craft in order to present the best version of my music when we go to record the NewSong EP. we’ve been looking forward to it all year and we cannot wait to get into Echo Mountain and lay down our newest, best songs.
 

What advice do you have for this year’s finalists? 

 
My advice to this year’s finalists is to focus less on yourself and more on who you’re surrounded by. The best thing about the NewSong Competition, aside from the amazing prizes and the beautiful show that’s put on for the finale, is the community created by all the wonderful musicians that have come through this program. Collaboration is the heart of the greatest music I know, and even if it’s just a source of inspiration or a new cowriter, the friendships we make like this are what keeps the world of music turning.

 

Anything else you would like to share?

 
I just wanted to send a big huge thank you to the NewSong folks and an equally big congratulations to this year’s finalists! I’m so excited for this show and I’m honored to be a part of it once again!
 
Learn more about Mel Bryant on her website. Listen to her music on Spotify

Announcing the 2019 NewSong Music Finalists.

Thursday, October 24th, 2019

Congratulations to the finalists in the 18th annual NewSong Music Performance & Songwriting Competition. These eight finalists will network, showcase and compete in the live performance finals in Asheville, North Carolina at Isis Music Hall on Saturday November 23. 

YouTube Playlist of the 2019 NewSong Music Finalists:

 

For more information on attending this event, please visit our Facebook event page. Buy tickets here

 

 

Thank you to all who submitted their music this year, and we look forward to meeting our finalists next month! Learn more about each finalist and his or her music in the links below. 

 


Danielle Ponder — Rochester, NY

Danielle Ponder – Rochester, NY

 

 

Grant Maloy Smith — Kingston, RI

Grant Maloy Smith – Kingston, RI

 

Jae Jin — Wolftown, VA

Jae Jin – Wolftown, VA

 

Jobi Riccio — Brookline, MA

Jobi Riccio – Brookline, MA

 

Kelly Hoppenjans — Nashville, TN

Kelly Hoppenjans – Nashville, TN

 

Kyshona — Madison, TN

Kyshona – Madison, TN

 

Nathaniel Bellows — New York, NY

Nathaniel Bellows – New York, NY

 

Parker Ainsworth — Los Angeles, CA

Parker Ainsworth – Joshua Tree, CA 2019 LEAF Festival Competition Winner)

 

Meet LEAF Contest Finalist: Carly Taich

Thursday, May 10th, 2018

Carly Taich is an Asheville, NC-based songwriter whose songs are at once soft and intense, fantastical and real. Her performances boast orchestral-rock arrangements paired with swooning vocals. Add in her her witty and irreverent writing style, and it’s no wonder Carly has steadily gained recognition in Asheville and beyond.

Taich will release a brand 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.  To top it off, she, along with her powerhouse band, will perform at Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival this June.

We asked Carly some questions to learn more about her artistic process and vision. See her perform at NewSong’s LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition Saturday May 12

What is your songwriting process like?

I write with my guitar. Usually the melody and lyrics come out together and inform each other. It’s nice to have no idea where your song is going and let each line unfold all together. Completely on the contrary, lately, I’ve been inspired by the more structured and repetitive verses of old hymns and folk tunes, and in that case, I may approach the lyrics more like a puzzle, trying to squeeze the most accurate picture into just a few syllables. Paper is my best friend.

Where do you find inspiration? Do you have any songwriting heroes?

Growing up I was exposed to songwriters from every generation and recall a lot of Cat Stevens, the Beatles and the Andrew Sisters, among so many others. On my own I ventured into Tori Amos and Elliott Smith, which was my first exploration into more alternative songwriting. I also loved musical theater and am still very inspired by the big song productions of old musicals.

What does it mean to you to be selected as a NewSong finalist, and what do you hope to get out of the experience?

It’s an honor to be considered among such wonderful songwriters. I hope to make some new friends who I can collaborate or share the stage with again, perhaps at a future LEAF. It’s a great opportunity to get to connect with other artists from around the country through an event like the NewSong competition.

What would you like your audience to know about you and your music?

I just try to be as honest as possible in my own language. Songwriting has always been the most natural way for me to express the deep complexities of life. I’m grateful that I get to share my stories with those will listen!

Meet LEAF Contest Finalist: Joe Shields

Monday, May 7th, 2018

Joe Shields, also known as Cousin Joe Twoshacks, is an award-winning cartoonist-turned-songwriter from Michigan. A decade ago, at the age of 47, Joe attended a songwriter’s retreat and has been writing his heartfelt and original songs ever since.

Late start or not, Shields has made his mark on the folk scene. He is a past winner of the prestigious Kerrville New Folk competition in Kerrville, Texas and recently recorded a new album in Austin, Texas, produced by legendary singer-songwriter and producer Gurf Morlix.

We asked Joe some questions to learn more about his artistic process and vision.

Michigan-based singer-songwriter Joe Shields will perform at LEAF for NewSong’s 5th annual Singer-Songwriter Competition.

What is your songwriting process like?

My process 90 percent of the time comes from finding chords or a rhythm that feel interesting. I noodle with that, and words just seem to come. Other times a line will fall out of my head and bounce on the table, so I try to follow it.

Do you have any songwriting heroes?

My favorite artists were and still are Neil Young, Muddy Waters, and Iggy Pop way back in the day. In the last few years, I’ve made a lot of friends whose music I just love!

 

 

 

What does it mean to you to be selected as a NewSong finalist, and what do you hope to get out of the experience?

I’m a 57-year-old artist. This is an adventure for me. I love the music, the writing and the crazy creatives I get to meet and hang out with. It’s a great honor to be selected, and I’m thrilled to be included.

What would you like your audience to know about you and your music?

I’m a delicate flower that just wants to be loved. Take me home. Plant me in your yard. I have my own tent. I only require fresh cold beer and three meals a day. Just like prison had. My music sounds like all that.

2017: Looking back with gratitude // forward with enthusiasm.

Monday, January 1st, 2018

Thank you for a memorable 2017. We wish you great music, inspiration and happiness in the new year.

As the year comes to a final close, we want to thank you for your role in making 2017 such a memorable one, and to reflect on the milestones we’ve experienced together over the course of the last twelve months.

This year’s programming started back in late January at the Sundance Film Festival, where 2016 grand prize winner Wilder Adkins performed two captivating solo sets at the wonderful Sundance ASCAP Music Café.  


2016 NewSong grand prize winner Wilder Adkins, performing at the 
Sundance ASCAP Music Café in January
.

Shortly thereafter, we opened submissions for the fourth annual NewSong Presents: LEAF Festival Singer-Songwriter Competition. In May, we hosted ten amazing artists from across the county at the spring LEAF Festival to showcase and compete at one of the country’s best music and arts festivals … right down the road from our home base here in Asheville, NC.

Among the talent, Asheville’s own Brie Capone took top honors at the LEAF Contest, winning a featured performance with her band at this year’s fall LEAF Festival, along with an automatic advancement to the live performance finals of the NewSong Music Competition in New York.


2017 LEAF Contest winner Brie Capone, performing at the 
fall LEAF Festival in October.

This year’s summer programming featured two ‘NewSong Presents’ concert series. Once again we were delighted to partner with our friends at Arts Brookfield in New York City to curate eight weekly outdoor concerts at One New York Plaza in our ‘Summer Plaza Series,’ featuring NewSong alums Brad ColeBlair BodineJBird ShogrenMax Hatt/Edda GlassQueen EstherAndy PalmerWilder Adkins and Amy Fairchild.


2016 NewSong finalist Brad Cole, performing at the 
‘Summer on the Plaza’ series in New York in May.

And in August, we were delighted to partner for the first time with the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. on a three-part weekly concert series entitled Verse –> Refrain: An Exploration of Song, featuring talented NewSong alums Max Hatt / Edda Glass (2014 grand prize winner), JBird Shogren (2016 finalist), Rachael Kilgour (2015 grand prize winner), Wilder Adkins (2016 grand prize winner), Brie Capone (2016 LEAF Contest winner) and Andy Palmer (2016 LEAF Contest finalist).


2016 NewSong finalist JBird Shogren (l) performing with 2014 grand prize winner Max Hatt / Edda Glass in the ‘Exploration of Song’ series at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. in August.

And just last month (November 30), our 2017 programming culminated once again at New York City’s Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, for the live performance finals of the 16th annual NewSong Music Performance and Songwriting Competition. There, finalists chosen from across North America convened to network, showcase and compete for this year’s top honor. In the end, Crys Matthews of Herndon, VA won this year’s grand prize with her striking, poetic songs and deeply spirited performance. 


2017 NewSong grand prize winner Crys Matthews, performing in the 
finals at New York City’s Lincoln Center in November.

On the label front, our imprint NewSong Recordings released two wonderful albums this year: Rachael Kilgour’s Rabbit in the Road in March and Kelly English’s debut album City Limits in October.


2015 NewSong grand prize winner Rachael Kilgour released ‘Rabbit in the Road’ in March,
which Billboard Magazine cited as “a heartfelt slice of master crafted indie folk,
brimming with the battle-tested capacity to endure the worst in others.”

We’ve also been quite busy in the studio this year –  doing work we truly love – producing and mixing upcoming 2018 label releases from Blue YonderWilder AdkinsRachael Kilgour and Beth Snapp.

Our mission at NewSong Music is to identify and celebrate excellence in both performance and songwriting, and to work hand-in-hand with truly exceptional emerging artists to advance their careers in a myriad of ways.

Our goal is to be an ongoing resource and partner to the artists with whom we work, and this year’s concerts, competitions and recordings have all strived to meet this goal. 

As we approach the new year, we look forward to doing much of the same, and to keeping in touch with you along the way.

For all of the artists who have either performed in or submitted to our programs this year, we thank you very much for your participation. We value the opportunity to discover your music in this way. We wish you the best in all your music endeavors in the new year.

For everyone else, thank you for your support of independent music and those who work so hard to create it.

And thank you all for following our journey as it unfolds in exciting and unpredictable ways. Here’s to new adventures in the new year!

With gratitude, 


Gar Ragland
Director & Co-founder
NEWSONG MUSIC GROUP
NewSong Recordings • NewSong Presents • NewSong Music Competition

Crys Matthews wins the 2017 NewSong Music Performance and Songwriting Competition

Tuesday, December 5th, 2017

Crys Matthews was named the grand-prize winner in the 2017 NewSong Music Performance & Songwriting Competition after performing, along with other finalists, during a live music showcase at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts’ David Rubenstein Atrium in New York City on Thursday, November 30.

 

Grand prize winner Crys Matthews performing in the live performance finals of the NewSong Music Competition at Lincoln Center in New York on Thursday.

 

Now in its 16th year, the competition showcases emerging performing songwriters. NewSong Music is an independent music organization that aims to build a supportive community of performers and songwriters across various genres of music and skill levels, while identifying truly exceptional artists and introducing their music to a broader international audience.

Click here for a photo gallery of the live performance finals.
Click here to listen to the 2017 finalists playlist on Spotify.


“Each year, the NewSong Music Competition presents one of the strongest platforms for music discovery by giving many of today’s most talented singer-songwriters a way to connect with a wider audience. Its rich legacy of shining a spotlight on incredible artists continues with this year’s grand prize winner, Crys Matthews. While all of the finalists were compelling in their own way, Matthews won hearts and minds with her infectious folk/blues songs that boldly explored everything from the follies of the human heart to our current political milieu. By wrapping honest emotions around her socially conscious messages and dynamically delivering them with a warm heart and a strong voice, she lifted our spirits just when we need it most in these troubled times. ASCAP will be honored to showcase her at the 2018 Sundance ASCAP Music Cafe in January.”  – Erik Philbrook, ASCAP VP/Creative Director and NewSong Music Judge

 “This year’s competition showcased the most talented and diverse cross section of the singer-songwriter category to date. We had musical theater, dark sad love songs and uplifting calls to action. Being a judge this year was challenging as each artist displayed talent and strength. Crys Mathews is a necessary voice. Her depth coupled with her openness and approachability was unmatched. She has a spark that is contagious and shares music that unites us and makes us think.” – Viviana Benitez, Associate Producer at Lincoln Center and NewSong judge


Matthews, a prolific songwriter — whose music blends Americana, blues, bluegrass, folk, funk, and jazz – has drawn comparisons to such other artists as Tracy Chapman, Ruthie Foster and Toshi Reagon. She recently released a new full-length CD, The Imagineers, as well as an EP, Battle Hymn for an Army of Lovers

As the NewSong Music competition’s grand-prize winner, she will receive a six-song EP, recorded and mixed at Asheville, North Carolina’s Echo Mountain Recording Studios and released on the NewSong Recordings label; a featured performance at the ASCAP Music Café during the 2018 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah; and future performance opportunities across the U.S., curated by NewSong Music.

“When my name was called, I was absolutely ecstatic,” said Matthews. “To be chosen as the grand-prize winner [from] among so many incredibly talented songwriters was an amazing feeling. To now be included among the ranks of artists I greatly admire – Rachael Kilgour, Wilder Adkins, Liz Longley – is just such an honor. I’m so grateful for every aspect of this experience – getting to play Lincoln Center, planting the seeds of so many new friendships among my fellow finalists, getting to record and release a new project and, thanks to ASCAP, getting to play at the Sundance Film Festival in 2018. I can’t wait to see what the future holds. Thank you for believing in me, NewSong Music!”

Invitations also will be extended to other 2017 competition finalists and standouts to participate in future NewSong Music events in various U.S. locations. They also will be given consideration for film and television placement opportunities as well as for future releases on NewSong Recordings. This year’s finalists included Biscay (London, England), Jerome Brooks, Jr. (New York, NY), Brie Capone (Asheville, NC), Dave Ray Cecil (Greensboro, NC), David Robert King (Decatur, GA), Becca Leigh (Charleston, SC), Andrea Lopez (Miami, FL), Cary Morin (Fort Collins, CO), and India Ramey (Nashville, TN).

– by Michael Kornfeld, editor and publisher of AcousticMusicScene.com, an online publication for the folk, roots and singer-songwriter communities.

Complete roster of 2017 NewSong Music finalists announced.

Friday, November 3rd, 2017

Congratulations to this year’s class of finalists in the 16th annual NewSong Music performance and songwriting competition.

They’ll be convening to perform, network and compete on Thursday, November 30 at New York City’s Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. The performance will be livestreamed via NewSong Music’s Facebook page

For more information on attending this free live event, please visit the Lincoln Center website

 

Andrea Lopez
Miami, FL

BISCAY
London, England

Becca Leigh
Charleston, SC
Early Bird Finalist

Brie Capone
Asheville, NC
LEAF Festival Finalist

Cary Morin
Fort Collins, CO
ReverbNation Finalist

Crys Matthews
Herndon, VA

David Robert King
Decatur, GA

Dave Cecil
Greensboro, NC

India Ramey
Nashville, TN

Jerome Brooks
New York, NY
Early Bird Finalist