Archive for the ‘News’ Category

Catching up with LEAF/NewSong Competition Finalist Philip Bowen

Thursday, April 6th, 2023

Just about a year ago West Virginia native Philip Bowen performed as a finalist at the annual LEAF Performance and Songwriting Competition, produced by NewSong Music. While Bowen is perhaps best known for his TikToks (where he adds a fiddle part to pop songs from “Free Fallin’” to “Enter Sandman” to “Gangsta’s Paradise”) he stuck to acoustic guitar and original folk/Americana songs for the competition.

By the way, Bowen won TikTok’s Gamers Greatest Talent competition.

The LEAF event, in May of 2022, “Was actually one of the one of the first things [where I traveled] to go do all original stuff,” Bowen recalls. “I’m so glad like I did it when I did it, because it was a great experience. I got to meet lots of interesting people. To hear other people doing their songs, you get inspired by what they’re writing.” In fact, Bowen has kept in touch with fellow finalist Stephan Sylvester and the two have written songs together.

In a way, the LEAF competition kicked off a big year for Bowen, which included an interview by Rolling Stone on Twitch, performing at NPR’s Mountain Stage as part of the opening show for the program’s 40th season, co-writing in Nashville, and readying his own album for release. (And, since this interview, Bowen also teased social media viewers with a photo of himself at “America’s Got Talent.”)

New Music

Probably the biggest thing coming up for Bowen is the release of his new album — his debut solo project — due out this summer. “For me it was very important to record the entire album in Appalachia, generally, but specifically, but West Virginia,” he says. “I did all the studio work in West Virginia, and every session player (except for one pedal steel player from Nashville) was talent from Appalachia.”

The record, Bowen says, is a mix of eclectic styles. “Most of it’s very Americana and dealing with country vibes. And then a couple more jazzy, bluesy tunes on there.” He adds, “It was a very cool experience. I’m really excited to have it done. It almost feels like I ran a marathon.”

But backing up to last year — a month or so after LEAF, Bowen had some songwriters reaching out to him. One of those experience of co-writing over Zoom led to an opportunity to play at Nashville’s iconic Bluebird Café. Usually, a songwriter must, “jump through a million hoops,” to land a gig at the Bluebird, Bowen says. “It was a well-known thing that I got invited to come and do, versus having to go the open mic route and do all these auditions for it. I got invited to come and I got to play like, seven songs on center stage. It was just a really fun night.”

Mountain Stage

The Mountain Stage booking came out of Bowen’s connection to West Virginia — though he and his family are currently based in Michigan. A job offer in 2014 brought him north.

But, “Growing up in West Virginia, and being from the region, I had known about Mountain Stage my whole life,” Bowen says. He had heard that friends in West Virginia were sending his music to the producers of Mountain Stage, which was flattering, but, “I just was not expecting too much from it and I didn’t want to cold call them and force my stuff on them.”

Instead, while speaking to a local media outlet, “I mentioned on this TV interview that it would just be a dream come true to do Mountain Stage. It would be such an honor to do it,” Bowen recalls. A few weeks later, Bowen was visiting his parents in West Virginia for the holidays when he received an email from Mountain Stage host Larry Groce saying he wanted someone local for the opening show of the 40th season. The date was just a few weeks away, but Bowen didn’t bother to check his calendar for conflicts. “I was like, ‘Oh, 100%’,” he says.

The whole experience was unbelievable, Bowen says. “I got to sing with Kathy Mattea. I think each person has about a 25-minute set. So, it was a true joy, and it was sold out. The whole evening was a really wonderful experience and to be able to do that in my hometown — it was just the coolest, most surreal experience.”

Rolling Stone

But Bowen’s big year didn’t stop there. Before Covid, Bowen says, he had plans to play coffee shops and other small gigs in the Detroit area to work his way into that music scene. When everything shut down, he turned to online platforms to share his music. “And that really changed my whole life because of the audience it ended up giving me,” he says. “I had said yes to a couple things from Twitch — they reached out to me maybe a year before that and offered to include me in this Artists Collective thing they were doing because they wanted more music streamers to use their platform.”

He continues, “It was a collaborative thing. I got to meet some people who were doing what I was doing. And I got a couple of front-page opportunities through that on Twitch. And then this person from Twitch corporate reached out to me and said, ‘Hey, I just wanna let you know, Rolling Stone is doing this series on singer-songwriters. They said most of them are published, major-label supported songwriters. But I think that if it’s okay with you, I want to put you forward for it.”

Bowen says he didn’t get his hopes up, but he also thought, “What can it hurt?” Three weeks later, Bowen received a message from Rolling Stone’s editorial staff asking if he was available on a particular date.

The week of the Rolling Stone interview, Bowen was in Nashville for a songwriters workshop. He left a day early and drove home so he could do the online interview from his home studio. “I got home and this massive snowstorm come through Michigan, like no power, no internet,” Bowen says. Because he couldn’t change the date and time of the interview, Bowen’s family stepped into help, scrambling to find a place with electricity.

“I drove to this random warehouse in Detroit where my brother knew somebody,” Bowen remembers. “We hung a black tablecloth on the wall. And then I just started setting everything up to make it look like I was in a studio. Literally, I plugged in the last thing 45 seconds before my soundcheck.” The risk paid off: “It was total chaos. But it was just a miracle that it happened.”

Crys Matthews’ “Changemakers” wins song of the year at 2022 International Folk Music Awards

Saturday, May 21st, 2022

Crys Matthews’ “Changemakers” garnered song of the year honors at the 2022 International Folk Music Awards, presented Wednesday, May 18. Wednesday was also the opening night of the 34th annual Folk Alliance International Conference in Kansas City, Mo.

Matthews is the 2017 NewSong Singer-Songwriter Competition Grand Prize winner. As part of her prize, she recorded the six-track album These Old Hands at Echo Mountain Recording Studios in Asheville, NC. It was produced by Gar Ragland of NewSong Recordings and released on Friday, October 11, 2019 in celebration of National Coming Out Day. The date was significant for the queer activist artist whose songwriting frequently draws on themes of social justice and the myriad expressions of love. 

Since winning the International NewSong Competition, Matthews has performed at the Sundance Film Festival, the Kerrville Folk Festival, and The Kennedy Center. In her TedTalk “Sing, Don’t Shout—An Alternative Approach,” Matthews spoke about being raised in a small town in southeastern North Carolina by an A.M.E. preacher, and how she witnessed the power of music from an early age.

Changemakers is Matthew’s latest effort. The record delves into heavy topics such as immigration, the opioid crisis, Black Lives Matter, and gun safety. But it’s also about hope: “As a social-justice songwriter, it is my duty to keep breathing that hope and encouragement into the people who listen to my music,” Matthews says on her website.

Matthews performed on the 2022 International Folk Music Awards show, as did fellow nominees John Smith and Diana Jones (also a former NewSong Recordings artist). Allison Russell was awarded artist of the year and album of the year. Russell and Matthews were both featured last year on the Adobe And Teardrops Podcast “Juneteenth Pride w/ Terry Blade.”

LEAF NewSong Contest Update

Tuesday, April 20th, 2021

The 2020 LEAF NewSong Finalist Showcase is set for fall 2021

 

As gatherings continue to safely return and transmission levels begin to fall, we are very excited to confirm that the 2020 LEAF NewSong Performance Showcase will take place at the Fall LEAF Festival, October 14-17, 2021, with the winner of the 2020 LEAF NewSong Performance Showcase to advance as a Finalist for the 2021 NewSong Contest and play a full set at the Spring 2022 LEAF Festival, running May 12-15, 2022!

A big shout out to our 2020 Finalists for their patience and tenacity over the last year:

Aaron Burdett – Saluda, NC
B.J. Fisher – Milwaukee, WI
Elisabeth Pixley-Fink – Portland, OR
Lynne Hanson – Ottawa, ON
Naimah – Washington, D.C.
Noan Partly – Tampa, FL
Samantha Cooper – Kalamazoo, MI
Scott Fab – Royal Oak, MI

 

Introducing the 2020 LEAF Festival Finalists

Thursday, July 23rd, 2020

INTRODUCING the 2020 finalists of the LEAF Festival Singer-Songwriter Showcase & Competition, presented by NewSong Music:
 

Aaron Burdett – Saluda, NC
B.J. Fisher – Milwaukee, WI
Elisabeth Pixley-Fink – Portland, OR
Lynne Hanson – Ottawa, ON
Naimah – Washington, D.C.
Noan Partly – Tampa, FL
Samantha Cooper – Kalamazoo, MI
Scott Fab – Royal Oak, MI

They’ll be joining us here in Asheville this fall to network, showcase and compete at the LEAF Global Arts 50th LEAF Festival, held October 22-25, 2020 in Black Mountain, NC (right outside of Asheville).

 

 

 


YouTube playlist of the 2020 LEAF Festival Singer-Songwriter Competition finalists.

 

On behalf of everyone at LEAF Community Arts and NewSong Music, a DEEP thanks to all of the fantastic artists who submitted. The pool of talent was outstanding again this year, making our job all the more difficult and the finalists’ recognition all the more impressive.

To everyone who entered, your creative work inspires us. Thanks for sharing it, and PLEASE keep on writing, singing and recording your art … the world’s a better place for it, and we need your songs now more than ever.

Stay tuned for the launch of the 19th annual, international NewSong Music Competition.
BIG news to coming soon!

Kelly English releases new single, “Free”

Friday, July 17th, 2020

“Free” on Spotify now

Kelly English’s tranquil and moving new single, “Free,” is available on all major music platforms today, July 17. The song is featured on the musician’s forthcoming sophomore album, “Savannah Theory,” a melancholy, indie-folk record produced and mixed by Gar Ragland. 

 “The idea of being ‘free’ from a specific person, or place, fits within my vision for the album because it supports the concept of creating a positive state of mind for yourself,” says English. “I wanted the song to be an electric guitar-driven ballad, again taking a lot of inspiration from artists like boygenius and Julien Baker.”

The stirring tune draws emotion from English’s crystal clear vocals, as well as her poignant lyricism. In one verse, the artist writes, “The cross ‘round your neck must be on fire // The muscles you move must get tired // from faking it so hard (yeah) // and taking it so far (yeah).” Watch the video for the full lyrics. 

Join Kelly live on Instagram (@KellyEnglishMusic) as she performs this new release, along with a couple of other tunes, Friday July 17th. Watch the lyric video for the single here. 

 

Follow Kelly for more updates:

 

Instagram: @kellyenglishmusic

Website: kellyenglishmusic.com

Youtube: youtube.com/alltimekellyy

Kelly English releases new single “I’m Not Like That”

Friday, May 15th, 2020

The indie pop song is the first to be featured on sophomore album, “The Savannah Theory,” produced and mixed by Gar Ragland and released on NewSong Recordings.

 

May 15, 2020 (Asheville, NC) – Connecticut-based singer-songwriter Kelly English is proud to announce the release of the first single, “I’m Not Like That” on Friday, May 15. The song is the first to be featured on her forthcoming album, “The Savannah Theory.” The album was recorded with NewSong Recordings and produced by Gar Ragland at the esteemed Echo Mountain Recording Studios in Asheville, NC.

“I’m Not Like That,” is reminiscent of Courtney Barnett’s deadpan delivery and guitar riffs. Independent female pop artists, like Grimes, also count among English’s inspirations.

“I rented a cottage in the Berkshires and brought my guitar with me,” says English of her writing process. While the singer-songwriter stays true to her indie-folk roots on The Savannah Theory, fans of English’s first record, City Limits (NewSong Recordings, 2017), may be surprised to hear more electric guitar on this compilation.

The songwriter offers a fully realized version of herself in this collection of melancholy songs, with dark lyrics and instrumentation and an introspective, indie-pop lean. “You will hear my Fender Jazzmaster guitar featured on much of the album,” says English. “This record demonstrates an honest, sincere insight into the ups and downs of my relationships and life experiences.”

English’s songwriting, paired with her graceful vocals, earned her a finalist spot in the 2015 NewSong LEAF Competition. More recently, in 2019, she won first prize in the Singer/Songwriter category in the New England Songwriting Competition, of which Meghan Trainor is a past contest winner.

Watch “I’m Not Like That” on YouTube.

Listen to “I’m Not Like That” on Bandcamp.

Listen to “I’m Not Like That” on Spotify.

For up-to-date information on Kelly English, visit kellyenglish.bandcamp.com/music
For more information about NewSong Recordings, visit newsongrecordings.com
For media requests, contact lea@newsong-music.com.

Mel Bryant to release new single, “I Love You I’m Sorry” Feb 14

Tuesday, February 11th, 2020

Mel Bryant, grand prize winner of the 2018 NewSong competition, will release a new single on Feb. 14, 2020.

 
Mel Bryant is celebrating Valentine’s Day with a new single release. “I Love You I’m Sorry” is the latest from the 2018 NewSong Grand Prize Winner and her band, Mel Bryant and the Mercy Makers. 
 
Recorded in the Mercy Makers’ home in East Nashville, “I Love You I’m Sorry” combines the best of Bryant’s powerhouse vocals and confessional songwriting sensibilities. The emo-tinged anthem will appear on the band’s forthcoming record as the title track. The album is slated for release in June, with two additional singles out in March and April.
 
 

 
“I wrote ‘I Love You I’m Sorry’ in a time when I didn’t know how to explain myself in my relationships, particularly when I was feeling like I wasn’t being heard or understood,” says Bryant. “It’s become increasingly clear to me that I — and many women I know and love — automatically default to saying ’sorry’ and taking blame whenever there is conflict. We internalize and apologize and hope that the problem’s solved. But that’s not fair and it’s not how you live truthfully and happily. … Ultimately, this song was a self help practice in understanding myself and why I act the way that I do … and I hope that it helps other women do the same.”
 
“I Love You I’m Sorry” is the sophomore release from this up-and-coming group and the long-awaited follow up to their debut single, “In My Head,” which premiered on Nashville’s top indie music station, Lightning 100, and helped the artist win the 2018 NewSong International Songwriting Competition.
 

The band will premier “I Love You I’m Sorry” live on Today In Nashville, News channel 4, on February 13, and celebrate with a show at The Basement that night.

 
Mel Bryant & the Mercy Makers, an indie rock outfit from East Nashville, TN comprised of lovers and friends, making music for their lovers and friends. Listen to Mel Bryant and the Mercy Makers on Spotify, and follow the band on Facebook and Instagram

Jobi Riccio performs at Sundance Film Festival’s Sundance ASCAP Music Café

Wednesday, January 29th, 2020

NewSong is thrilled to announce that 2019 Grand Prize Winner, Jobi Riccio, will perform at the 2020 Sundance ASCAP Music Café in Park City, Utah. Join us this Thursday, January 30 at 2 pm MST at the Music Café stage or on Facebook Live. Sundance ASCAP Music Café takes place at 751 Main Street, Park City, UT. Click here for the full Music Café lineup. 

Jobi is a songwriter and performer from Denver, Colorado, currently based in Boston, MA. Inspired by artists ranging from Buck Owens to Joni Mitchell, and the bluegrass community she came of age in, she writes songs that meld classic country sounds with modern sensibilities. 

In addition to the Sundance performance, as the grand prize winner, Jobi will receive a fully funded six-song EP, recorded and mixed at Asheville’s own Echo Mountain Recording Studios and released on the NewSong Recordings label. Jobi also receives a featured performance in the 2020 Arts Brookfield ‘Summer Plaza’ series in New York City. Read more about Jobi and her NewSong win on the blog

Can’t make it to Park City? Watch Jobi Riccio perform on our Facebook Live channel  @ 2PM MST on Thursday 1/30.

Crys Matthews’s ‘These Old Hands’ reaches new heights (and fans) on radio.

Saturday, January 18th, 2020

Crys Matthews’s These Old Hands reaches new heights (and fans) on radio.

2017 NewSong Grand Prize Winner Crys Matthews continues to garner airplay and critical acclaim since the release of her grand prize album, These Old Hands

 

On the radio waves …

Songs from the album have received airplay from radio stations across the country and internationally, with the title track earning its spot this week as the #5 song on the Folk DJ Chart. Rich Warren, host of Chicago’s WFMT’s Midnight Special and one of the world’s most influential folk radio hosts, recognized These Old Hands in his coveted “Rich’s Pick” three times since the album’s October 11 release. 
These Old Hands  is also a nominee in Folk Alley’s ‘Best of 2019’ Listener Poll. If you voted before polling recently closed, thank you!

“These Old Hands” is available for streaming on all major music platforms. Purchase the six-track CD via Bandcamp

 
Read More About ‘These Old Hands’
 
 

Jobi Riccio named 2019 NewSong Grand Prize Winner

Have you added Jobi Riccio to your playlist yet? Learn more about our latest NewSong winner on the blog

 

Add Rachael Kilgour’s ‘Game Changer’ to your holiday wish list

Kilgour’s song “Holy Are We,” made it onto Rolling Stone’s ’10 Best Country Songs to Hear’ earlier this year. It is described as a “stunning defense of same-sex love.” Buy the album on vinyl or CD via Bandcamp.

 

Danielle Ponder releases new single

Rochester, NY based Danielle Ponder wowed audiences as a finalist at the 2019 NewSong Competition. Listen to “Holding Me Down” on your favorite music platform. 

Mel Bryant records new EP with NewSong Recordings

Saturday, January 18th, 2020

Mel Bryant records new EP at Echo Mountain Recording Studios.

 

The NewSong team was thrilled to welcome 2018 NewSong Grand Prize Winner, Mel Bryant, to Echo Mountain Recording Studios last month. The songwriter and her Nashville-based band, Mel Bryant and the Mercy Makers, were joined by producer and NewSong founder, Gar Ragland. Melding classic rock and contemporary indie influences, Bryant has compiled a group of songs that tackle big themes, ranging from love and relationships to social justice. 

The opportunity to record at Echo Mountain is part of the musician’s grand prize package, and the EP will be released on NewSong Recordings in 2020. 

Mel took a break from recording to answer a few questions about the upcoming record. 

How would you describe your vision for this new batch of songs?

Mel Bryant: A lot of the songs are justice focused, in a way. There is kind of a dichotomy between the songs that are about, you know, relationship stuff — the really relatable, personal things that everyone goes through … and the songs that zoom out a bit and look at more grand issues that are less personal and more political.

I like to think of things that are political, not in terms of candidates or government issues, but, instead, political as in a woman’s inability to walk alone on a street alone past midnight. That’s a political issue to me, and that is the kind of thing I like to write about. Or the fact that when I was in college, I was scared of being shot on my campus. That’s a political issue, and it’s something that we all have a stake in and we are all worried about and we all want to fix. Those are the things that are important to my music: things that matter. Sometimes things that matter are life and death situations, and sometimes things that matter are when I can’t communicate properly in my relationships. Making those statements in these songs was really important to me. 

 

What has it been like to record at Echo Mountain Recordings Studios?

This has definitely been our best treatment of a recording setup that we have ever had. The crew is so accommodating and patient. The energy in here is amazing. There is such a beautiful ambiance, and the availability of the gear they have here is like nothing we have been able to access before, so from that standpoint it’s been incredible. But also just the feeling of being in that cathedral with stained glass light coming through. And, of course, it sounds amazing. 

 

In terms of sound, how do these new recordings relate to the band’s past work? 

From a sound perspective, the EP is a marriage of the different sides that this band has been developing over the past few years. We definitely have one foot in really classic rock roots, blues, and delta music roots, coming from our guitarist, and then we have the more modern roots of my childhood musical influences and now. We are continually inspired by music being put out and indie rock influences. So certain songs are more in the classic rock tradition, and certain songs are in the modern. Our goal has been marrying those ideas within each song, and within the whole EP, showing that these two things can coexist to create something that isn’t derivative of classic rock or just another indie rock band. We are paying homage to the historic greats and constantly taking in new musical influences and applying that as well. 

For more about Mel Bryant and the Mercy Makers, visit the band’s website. Stay tuned for updates about the new EP release via NewSong Recordings in 2020!