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Submissions are Open for the 2023 NewSong Music Performance & Songwriting Competition

Monday, May 29th, 2023

NewSong Music is now accepting original song entries for its 22nd annual Performance and Songwriting Competition, presented by Citizen Vinyl. The program’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 advance 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 2024.

A group of 14 people who competed in the NewSong Music Competition stand behind and sit on a green couch.

2022 NewSong Music finalists (with NewSong founder Gar Ragland, center back). Image by Aaron Stone Photo

Past NewSong winners and standouts include Ingrid Michaelson, Slow Runner, Crys Matthews, and Jobi Riccio.

Discounted ‘Early Bird’ entries are now open (1 song: $45; 2 songs: $80; additional songs: $30 each). Entry prices increase after Sunday, July 9, with the final deadline for submissions on Sunday, September 3. To submit your original music, visit newsong-music.com/contest. Finalists will be notified via email and announced through NewSong Music’s website and social media channels on Tuesday, September 26, 2023.

Jobi Riccio, Grand Prize Winner of the 18th Annual NewSong Competition.

Mark your calendar for the 2023 NewSong Music Performance & Songwriting Competition finale, which will take place on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at Citizen Vinyl in downtown Asheville.

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Jimmie Griffith wins 9th annual LEAF Songwriter Competition

Wednesday, May 17th, 2023

MaisCéu — the solo project of songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jimmie Griffith — won this year’s LEAF Songwriter Competition.

Griffith hails from the mountains of Minas Gerais, Brazil. His compositions are a fusion of American and Brazilian musical traditions, reflecting his upbringing steeped in both cultures. At the LEAF Songwriter Competition, held Saturday, May 13, at LEAF Retreat, Griffith mesmerized the audience with intricate guitar melodies, upbeat auxiliary percussion, and lyrics sung in Portuguese.

“The experience of bonding with the other talented finalists, both on and off the stage, was nothing short of magical,” Griffith says. “As I looked around the room, filled with incredible talent, I was overjoyed and surprised when my name was announced as the winner of the 2023 NewSong Songwriter’s Competition. It feels surreal to witness how the songs I composed in a quiet corner of my room, with such personal meaning to me, are now resonating with new audiences.”

Photo of Jimmie Griffith aka MaisCeu.

The singer-songwriter, who is currently based in Lenoir, N.C., earned a spot as one of only eight finalists at the annual, international NewSong Competition, to be held in Asheville this fall. MaisCéu will also return to the Fall LEAF Festival, held October 19-22, 2023, as a featured, paid performer.

“LEAF has always held a special place in my heart, and it has been a dream of mine to not only participate in the NewSong Songwriter’s Competition but also to be a featured performer at LEAF,” Griffith says. “I am looking forward to continuing this journey by putting together a special performance for the upcoming LEAF in the fall.”

Award-round runners up:

Participating finalists:

LEAF Songwriter Competition finalists and judges.

From left, Gar Ragland, Jimmie Griffith, Josh Batenhorst, Jess Young, Lyle de Vitry, Corrie Lynn Green, Bridger Dunnagan, Jess Clemons, Quinn Tuff, Maggie Monaghan, Kate Prascher, Tiana Kennel, China Langford.

Judges for the event, culled from Asheville, N.C.’s music industry professionals, included arts and culture journalist Tiana Kennel, talent booker China Langford, and NewSong Music director and co-founder Gar Ragland.

“Once again this year’s finalists showcased a wonderful array of original material to an attentive and appreciative LEAF audience,” said Ragland. “ I’m continually impressed and humbled by the level and diversity of talent that this program attracts. It’s an honor to be able to showcase this caliber of talent each year with LEAF.”

Genres ran the gamut from folk and Americana to indie-pop. Seven finalists and their accompanists traveled from as far as Oregon’s Hood River Gorge to share their songs.

The LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition is a collaborative effort between NewSong Music and LEAF Global Arts. It aims to identify and recognize exceptional performers and songwriters from across the country.

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MEET LEAF SONGWRITER COMPETITION FINALIST MAGGIE MONAGHAN

Friday, May 5th, 2023

The annual LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition, now in its ninth year, will take place at Spring LEAF Retreat, in Black Mountain, N.C., on Saturday, May 13, 2023. Eight singer-songwriters have been selected from across the country to showcase, compete, and network at the competition.

MAGGIE MONAGHAN (Wellesley, MA)

Maggie Monaghan is an indie-folk singer-songwriter from Wellesley, MA. She is currently a rising senior at Wesleyan University in CT where she leads weekly open mics and is working on a musical. She began songwriting in high school, and it quickly became one of her biggest passions. She released her first single in May of 2022—and another last month—and is currently working to record and release an EP. Some of her top musical influences are Noah Kahan, Mt. Joy, St. Terrible, and Lizzy McAlpine.
 

NewSong Music: How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it before?

Maggie Monaghan: To someone who has never heard my music before, I would describe it as an intersection of the Indie-Folk and singer-songwriter genres. I am a huge lyrics person when I listen to music, so that is one of the areas of my songwriting that I would say has grown the most over time. I grew up playing piano, so I write a lot of music on piano but have recently picked up the guitar as well. I feel like guitar has definitely helped me lean even further into the folky elements of my songs throughout the writing and production process.

What is the first album you bought, and why?

The first album I ever bought was Elton John’s Greatest Hits because my dad used to have a CD of the album in his car, and I remember countless car rides from soccer games or school, blasting “Tiny Dancer” and “Crocodile Rock.” My dad has always been one of my biggest fans; in high school, I spent hours at the piano every week, singing and playing, and he would sit on the stairs behind me and just listen. He is relentlessly supportive of my dreams in music, and it always feels special to share that passion together.

What is one influence on your music that might surprise us?

Rainbow Kitten Surprise has been one of my top artists for the past four years. Some of their songs definitely trend in a more Indie direction, but a lot of their music is pretty alt. rock, which is why they may be a surprise as far as an influence for my music. Hearing about how they write some of their songs has been fascinating and inspired a lot of my music. Some songs of theirs have only two chords and yet such intricate and funky melodies. I remember first getting into them and being blown away by their lyrics, which have since inspired my approach to writing. Many of their lyrics could mean so many different things, and that act of interpretation is something I love about listening to their music. Their lyrics, tight harmonies, and instrumentals work together to convey such a specific vibe for each of their songs, and this cohesion—out of so many different, simultaneous instrumental elements—is something I admire. During my gap year, I spent a lot of time in my makeshift recording studio (a closet in our attic) on GarageBand making mash-ups, my favorite being an RKS-Maggie Rogers one.

What projects are you currently working on?

Since October, I have been working to record an EP with Pace Ferro, who owns Pharaoh Recording Studios in Plainville, CT, and Julian Sherwood, who is an incredible Indie artist and instrumentalist.  I am always writing and playing music, whether I am walking to class, at golf practice, or listening to music.  I am also currently working on a musical about the environment and colonialism; the plot takes place in a McDonald’s-esque fast food chain restaurant, and one of the main characters is a naturalist from the 1700s, back from the dead.  During the fall semester, I started weekly open mics with two friends at school and have been working to build that community since.  Getting to see the variety of talent that people show up with, week after week—as well as getting to meet and collaborate with so many new people—has been a highlight of my year.
 

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MEET LEAF SONGWRITER COMPETITION FINALIST CORRIE LYNN GREEN

Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023

The annual LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition, now in its ninth year, will take place at Spring LEAF Retreat, in Black Mountain, N.C., on Saturday, May 13, 2023. Eight singer-songwriters have been selected from across the country to showcase, compete, and network at the competition.

CORRIE LYNN GREEN (Port Republic, VA)

Born and raised in The Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, Corrie Lynn Green writes and reflects the secrets and stories of life in a small holler town. Drawing from her deep roots in rural Appalachia, she pulls the history of life, rebellion, religion, hardship, grit, joy, acceptance and the displacement of her friends and family off Shenandoah National Park into her captivating songs.

NewSong Music: How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it before?

Corrie Lynn Green: I would describe my music as an authentic, raw and unique sound and experience. My banjo style is unique to the folk songs I create. I break a lot of rules when it comes to any of the ways music is “supposed” to be. I just put forward what seems real and right to me as its being created. I tell stories that help heal me and help convey the story of the people I grew up with living the beautiful mountain way, often misunderstood, underestimated and ignored. 
 
What is the first album you bought, and why?
 
The first album I ever purchased was on Vinyl and it was Prince, Purple Rain. It is still my all time favorite album. Regardless of musical genre Prince was an incredible instrumentalist and creator of songs never heard before. He always broke rules and did things completely his way. He had a vision and his music is timeless but also captures a perfect time in my life as I fell in love with music. 
 

 
What is one influence on your music that might surprise us?
 
An influence on my music that may surprise you are bands like Beastie Boys, Tribe Called Quest, Moby, and Chris Isaak. These are not the main things I listen to but each of these styles existed somewhere in my time growing up and helped me break away from the idea that just because I had a very specific voice or that I played a very specific instrument I could experience and know music to have endless possibilities and I could go my own way following my heart to my authentic sound.
 
What projects are you currently working on?
 
I am currently working on a new album with D.W. Fearn that will be very different from the first. I believe we are always growing and changing and having life experiences that shape our music and sound. I am also getting ready for a very cool summer of gigs including Redwing Roots Festival, FredFest, The Purple Fiddle, and in the fall The Northern Appalachian Folk Fest Inc.

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MEET LEAF SONGWRITER COMPETITION FINALIST LYLE DE VITRY

Monday, May 1st, 2023

The annual LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition, now in its ninth year, will take place at Spring LEAF Retreat, in Black Mountain, N.C., on Saturday, May 13, 2023. Eight singer-songwriters have been selected from across the country to showcase, compete, and network at the competition.

LYLE DE VITRY (Asheville, NC)

Asheville based singer-songwriter Lyle de Vitry‘s thoughtfully crafted melodies and poetry are imaginative, visually arresting and thought provoking as he explores themes of nature, love, memory and the temporal. Lyle’s creative expression and inspiration are derived from a wide range of sonic spaces. A life of classical training, curious exploration of jazz, and a passion for traditional Appalachian music have each shaped his style into something fresh and innovative.

NewSong Music: How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it before?

Lyle de Vitry: Rhythmic, flowing fingerstyle guitar woven amidst introspective lyrics 
 
What is the first album you bought, and why?
 
I didn’t start buying vinyl until quite recently, actually. I don’t own many, but the first one I bought was Abysskiss by Adrianne Lenker. She’s one of my favorite songwriters and guitar players. That album is a masterpiece.  
 

What is one influence on your music that might surprise us?
 
I’m an old-time musician, and although most of my music may not sound inspired by Appalachian old-time, I’ve noticed more and more of my songs have a similar trance quality to some of the fiddle tunes I love to play.   
 
What projects are you currently working on?
 
I’ve been working on my debut album titled Door Within A Dream for the past year and a half. We’ve reached the mastering stage, so it’s nearly done! I also have a backlog of instrumental guitar music and a few piano compositions that I hope to record this spring/summer with some friends in Asheville. Additionally, I’ve been experimenting with writing choral music and arranging strings.
 

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Meet LEAF Songwriter Competition Finalist Kate Prascher

Friday, April 28th, 2023

The annual LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition, now in its ninth year, will take place at Spring LEAF Retreat, in Black Mountain, N.C., on Saturday, May 13, 2023. Eight singer-songwriters have been selected from across the country to showcase, compete, and network at the competition.

KATE PRASCHER (Highland, NY)

Kate Prascher is a Tennessee-born, Hudson Valley-based singer and multi-intrumentalist who writes evocative original songs with an “intangible vintage feel” – Ink 19

NewSong Music: How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it before?

Kate Prascher: Kate Prascher’s songs are invisible and sometimes tender, by turns playful and heart-piercing. Audiences will hear Kate’s “delicate and expressive singing” – Ink 19 and experience an evocative mix of Americana, bluegrass and folk.

What is the first album you bought, and why?

As a preteen, I was up late one summer night and saw Iris Dement perform “My Life” on Conan O’Brien’s show. It affected me deeply and I was driven to Borders in the next few days to buy the album. 

What is one influence on your music that might surprise us?

I really love the Cranberries! Like most folks, especially in these hyper-connected days, I listen to a little of everything. 

What projects are you currently working on?

I am almost finished with my first full length solo album. Started back in October 2022 and excited to bring that project into the world.

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Meet LEAF Songwriter Competition Finalist MaisCéu

Thursday, April 27th, 2023

The annual LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition, now in its ninth year, will take place at Spring LEAF Retreat, in Black Mountain, N.C., on Saturday, May 13, 2023. Eight singer-songwriters have been selected from across the country to showcase, compete, and network at the competition.

MAISCÉU (Lenoir, NC)

MaisCéu is the brainchild of Jimmie Griffith, a musician who hails from the mountains of Minas Gerais, Brazil. His music is a fusion of American and Brazilian musical traditions, reflecting his upbringing steeped in both cultures.

Inspired by the Blue Ridge mountains and the “Mares e Morros” of Minas Gerais, MaisCeu’s unique sound, featuring heartfelt Portuguese lyrics, is a reflection of his deep love for the outdoors and his passion for bending music genres. With an authentic and soulful approach to his craft, MaisCeu’s music speaks to the heart and soul of his listeners, drawing inspiration from the natural beauty of his childhood home and the rich musical traditions that have shaped him.

NewSong Music: How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it before?

Jimmie Griffith: The music itself borrows heavily from the music from my home state of Minas Gerais, Brazil (Clube da Esquina). The guitar harmonies, vocal melodies, and lyrics are very heartfelt and evokes a feeling akin to sunshine right after a rainstorm.

What is the first album you bought, and why?

Dori Caymmi — Tome Conta de Meu Filho. This album was the soundtrack for a documentary on Dorival Caymmi who I was obsessed with in my early teens. Dorival was a great songwriter and storyteller who told stories about the lives of the fishermen and the beautiful state of Bahia, Brazil. He was way ahead of his time musically and heavily inspired musicians from the Bossa Nova era and beyond.

What is one influence on your music that might surprise us?

Jamiroquai, the first three albums are still in heavy rotation at my house.

What projects are you currently working on?

I am looking for collaborators! My dream project would be to play with musicians that are well versed in old-time music but also other genres in order to seamlessly weave and blend NC (North Carolina) with MG (Minas Gerais, Brazil). 

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Meet LEAF Songwriter Competition Finalist Josh Batenhorst

Tuesday, April 25th, 2023

The annual LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition, now in its ninth year, will take place at Spring LEAF Retreat, in Black Mountain, N.C., on Saturday, May 13, 2023. Eight singer-songwriters have been selected from across the country to showcase, compete, and network at the competition.

JOSHUA BATENHORST, AKA CAPT. JOSH (Asheville, NC)

NewSong: How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it before?

Josh: You can hear the places I’ve lived in it. The High Plains, Austin, Western North Carolina — so a lot of country, a little blues, gospel, and a little jam. The constellation that I navigate by has folks in it like Jerry Jeff Walker, Robert Earl Keen, Guy Clark, John Prine, Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, Amanda Anne Platt, Bob Weir, Robert Hunter, Susan Tedeschi.

What is the first album you bought, and why?

So, I’m pretty sure I begged my mom to buy me the Air Supply album, back before I was even in kindergarten. I’m just going to let that speak for itself.

As for actually spending my own money on something, that would be a double purchase. I bought Michael Jackson’s Bad at full price, and Bruce Springsteen’s Welcome to Asbury Park, New Jersey at the same time from the dollar bin because I think I had $15 to spend when I got my first tape player. I think I listened to Bad quite a bit, and didn’t quite get Welcome to Asbury Park until I was a little older. I did like it enough to make my second purchase Tunnel of Love, which I wore out.

What is one influence on your music that might surprise us?

Maybe the Indigo Girls? I love harmonies and they’re killer songwriters, but I’m also kind of a dude — played football, have a big beard and a belly.

What projects are you currently working on?

Right now most of my creative energy is going into getting some traction with the new band — the Acoustic Light Brigade (ALB) — is what we’re calling it. It’s a four-piece right now and we’re just a baby band but we live all over the map — Atlanta, Asheville, Athens — so rehearsals have to be very strategic and timely. As a bit of content building, we’ve spent April doing “ALB Undercover” in which we are throwing some of our favorite cover tunes up on YouTube — one each day this month. I also run a touring theatre company for young audiences, Bright Star Touring Theatre, and that takes most of my day-job time and attention.

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Finalists Announced for the 2023 LEAF Songwriter Competition

Monday, April 17th, 2023

NewSong Music announced the eight finalists who will perform at this year’s LEAF Songwriter Competition.

The event is a collaborative effort between NewSong Music and LEAF Global 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 LEAF Retreat, on Saturday, May 13, 6:30-9:30 p.m. in Eden Hall.

This year’s finalists for the LEAF competition are: Corrie Lynn Green (Early Bird Finalist), a country-tinged folksinger from Port republic, Va.; Melodic, emotive, and punk-informed The Accidentals, who formed in Michigan by are now based in Nashville; singer and multi-instrumentalist Kate Prascher, from Highland, N.Y., who is best known for her evocative songwriting; singer-songwriter Josh Batenhorst — aka Captain Josh — from Asheville, N.C.; Wellesley, Mass.-based songwriter Maggie Monaghan; MaisCeu, from Lenoir, N.C. whose music is inspired by Brazil and the Blue Ridge Mountains; singer-songwriter Jess Clemons from Portland, Ore.; and Lyle de Vitry from Asheville, N.C., who crafts thoughtful melodies and poetry.

The winner of the LEAF 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 LEAF Festival, held October 19-22, 2023, as a featured, paid performer.

The LEAF 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 LEAF Global Arts

LEAF Global Arts is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization with a mission to connect cultures and create community through music and arts. LEAF is composed of two key cultural arts education programs — LEAF Schools & Streets and LEAF International — as well as two signature events: LEAF Retreat (May) and LEAF Festival (October). Since 1995, LEAF has served more than 200,000+ youths with programs in more than 15 community locations and in 10 countries worldwide. www.theLEAF.org

 

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Corrie Lynn Green named LEAF Competition ‘Early Bird’ Finalist

Monday, April 3rd, 2023

The annual LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition, now in its ninth year, will take place at Spring LEAF Festival, in Black Mountain, N.C., on Saturday, May 13, 2023.

Congratulations to our LEAF Festival Competition’s ‘Early Bird’ finalist Corrie Lynn Green!⁠

 

 

Born and raised in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, Corrie Lynn writes and reflects the secrets and stories of life in a small holler town. Drawing from her deep roots in rural Appalachia, she walks down a path of self discovery through personal heartbreak, rebellion, hardship, joy and acceptance, Corrie Lynn stays true to the strength and grit that defines her personal story and others living the mountain way.

Corrie Lynn will be joining seven other yet-to-be-determined finalists at the LEAF Retreat May 11-14 in beautiful Black Mountain, NC, to network, showcase and compete in the annual LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition.

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