Posts Tagged ‘LEAF’

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Meet 2020 LEAF Finalist Scott Fab

Thursday, September 24th, 2020

NewSong’s 7th annual LEAF Festival Singer-Songwriter Competition takes place Oct. 24! This month, we are introducing readers to our eight, talented finalists. Today we are proud to highlight Royal Oak, MI based Scott Fab.

Scott Fab is a Detroit born singer songwriter. In 2017 Scott released his first full length album, Leave My Friends, which No Depression called “A beautifully crafted album, perfect for today but reaching into the past.” Each song is a single brush stroke capturing the immediacy and intimacy often recognized in his live solo performances. Scott released his latest recording, Someday Soon Somehow, in March 2020.

We asked Scott some questions to learn more about his artistic process and inspiration. 

How do you describe your songwriting process?

My most reliable process usually begins with a chord progression and a loose melody. If the melody is strong enough, it will often give rise to a mood that provokes a word, thought or phrase. After that, it’s all hammer and nails until the song can stand on its own.
 

Where do you find inspiration and who are your songwriting muses/heroes?

Inspiration for me comes with a personal connection and is usually dependent on how close I can listen and how long I can look. The slower the better. I’ve always been inspired by songwriters that have a lyrical poetry to their songs like Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Richard Buckner and Leonard Cohen. Songs that leave room for my imagination to wander.
 

What important news about your music do you have coming up?

I released my new album, Someday Soon Somehow, in March 2020, days before the world would close due to the pandemic. I am still very excited about the record, and I’m really looking forward to a time when I can share these songs in a live setting.
 

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 think it’s an honor whenever one of your songs is recognized by your peers or by those with a real passion for songs. I’m really looking forward to this new experience. I’ll hope for an adventure.
 
To learn more about Scott Fab, visit his website and follow the artist on Instagram @ScottFabMusic and Facebook. 

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Meet 2020 LEAF Finalist Noan Partly

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020

NewSong’s 7th annual LEAF Festival Singer-Songwriter Competition takes place Oct. 24! This month, we are introducing readers to our eight, talented finalists. Today we are proud to highlight Tampa, FL based Noan Partly.

Jazzy, indie-folk with midwest roots, Noan Partly was born and raised in Oklahoma. Residing and performing mostly in Florida’s Tampa Bay area, musical stylings of voice, guitar and banjo reverberate between a sultry focus and a spritely, soulful groove.

We asked Noan some questions to learn more about her artistic process and inspiration. 

How do you describe your songwriting process?

The best songs I write tend to come out all at once or in one or two sittings. Its kind of surreal when it’s all said and done — like my mind clears itself to make room for a feeling to get through. Those bad boys practically write themselves. The usual case though is, I have sort of a nagging emotion that I can’t put my finger on, and music has this way of really helping me tell myself the truth, so I hash and hash until the emotion or message finally aligns with my expression of it.
 

Where do you find inspiration and who are your songwriting muses/heroes?

I tend to find the most inspiration through my existential habits, feelings I can’t shake, questions I need help asking but don’t necessarily need the answers to. Observing the endless colors of the human condition and then sort of stretching out those observations and commenting on the textures that lay therein. I so admire the storytelling of Anais Mitchel and Andy Shauf, Andrew Bird’s ability to create such full auditory landscapes, Ani Difranco’s assured boldness, The Fleet Foxes really showed me what modern folk could be, Lianne Lahavas’s soul-striking vocals, Bela Fleck who gifted me my admiration of the banjo. The list goes on, as the say.
 

What important news about your music do you have coming up?

I am preparing to start a Music Therapy program here in Florida in the coming months. I look brightly forward to learning to utilize music’s magical properties in a new way.
 

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 know I’m not alone when I say that music is consistently reassuring and heartening. I am so flipping grateful and honored to be featured among such authentic artists and am very thankful for the opportunity to share my rendering of musical expression with a new audience. I’m nearly mostly excited to meet with others who harness music in a similar way and can’t wait to all gather, bear witness to and be inspired by each other’s stylistic approaches.
 
Check out Noan Partly on Spotify and Facebook. 

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Meet 2020 LEAF Finalist Aaron Burdett

Saturday, September 19th, 2020

NewSong’s 7th annual LEAF Festival Singer-Songwriter Competition takes place Oct. 24! This month, we are introducing readers to our eight, talented finalists. Today we are proud to highlight Saluda, NC based artist Aaron Burdett. 

Aaron Burdett is an acclaimed Americana/folk singer-songwriter and performer from Western North Carolina, and is listed as one of the most important western NC musicians by WNC Magazine. His last four albums have been voted top 20 Albums of the Year by WNCW radio listeners. Drawing heavily on both the traditions of Appalachian folk music as well as nationally known songwriters, Aaron’s music gives voice to the small rural areas of the Blue Ridge Mountains while also speaking to the working men and women throughout the country.

We asked Aaron some questions to learn more about his artistic process and inspiration. 

 

How do you describe your songwriting process? 

Get an idea and write it down immediately. Store up all the ideas. Sit with a guitar and look at all the ideas as often as is possible. After a year so, one or two songs will emerge, and then you can edit them and reason with them individually. If it’s a good song, maybe perform or record it. If it’s not a good song, put it back in the pile and keep looking at the list of ideas. Repeat these steps as necessary.
 

Where do you find inspiration and who are your songwriting muses/heroes?

Inspiration comes from anywhere and everywhere. From things people say or something heard off the radio or in a passing conversation. Songs come from patient observation of the world outside.
 

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 quite an honor, and I’m looking forward to meeting the other finalists and hearing what their music is all about!
 

What important news about your music do you have coming up?

We’re still recording and releasing music, navigating the new lay of the land in the music industry as best we can. We’ve released several singles already in 2020 and one, “Rockefeller,” is a finalist in the bluegrass category at Merlefest’s Chris Austin contest that’ll hopefully pick back up in 2021.
 
Visit aaronburdett.com to learn more about Aaron Burdett. Follow Aaron on Facebook and Instagram @aaronburdett.

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Meet 2020 LEAF Finalist Lynne Hanson

Friday, September 18th, 2020

NewSong’s 7th annual LEAF Festival Singer-Songwriter Competition takes place Oct. 24! This month, we are introducing readers to our eight, talented finalists. Today we are proud to highlight Canadian artist Lynne Hanson.

Lynne’s brand of “porch music with a little red dirt” can turn on a dime from a sunshine, blue sky ballad to a full-on thunderstorm of gritty Americana swamp from one song to the next. She’s known for her high-energy, roots guitar driven live performances, whether playing solo or with her band the Good Intentions. 

We asked Lynne some questions to learn more about her artistic process and inspiration. 

How do you describe your songwriting process?

Probably 90 percent of my creative process takes place while on a guitar. I might have a title or a line or two to start with, but melodies and groove are a big part of my lyrical development process. I can sometimes sit for an entire day playing the same thing over and over until the words find their way out and into my laptop. I pretty much never develop lyrics on actual paper as I love to edit while I go.
 

Where do you find inspiration, and who are your songwriting muses/heroes?

I’m pretty much a sponge, so anything and everything can inspire a song. I’ve started songs in the back of tour vans, hotel rooms, and even on stage during soundcheck. Prior to the shutdown, I spent a lot of time touring, so I really had to set aside specific times to be able to create. Like a lot of songwriters at this time, I’m not writing a lot, but I’ve been at it long enough to know that no writer’s block is forever, and a lot of the time it’s just a case of needing time to process. And there is a LOT to process right now.
 

What important news about your music?

I released my seventh studio album “Just Words” in February 2020 which has gotten some excellent attention, including landing me song of the year from Blues and Roots Radio in their international song contest. I was just starting a year of album release touring when the pandemic hit, but I’ve been keeping occupied learning how to record at home, to livestream, and even a little video production.
 

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 know how prestigious it is to be a NewSong finalist, so it is really quite an honour to have been selected. I’m looking forward to hearing the other finalists, and joining a fantastic songwriting community. And I’ve heard so many amazing things about the LEAF festival that I can’t wait to experience it first hand when we’re able.
 
Visit to learn more about Lynne Hanson on her website. Follow her on Instagram @plynnehanson and Facebook. 

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Meet 2020 LEAF Finalist B.J. Fisher

Friday, September 4th, 2020

NewSong’s 7th annual LEAF Festival Singer-Songwriter Competition takes place Oct. 24! This month, we are introducing readers to our eight, talented finalists. Today we are proud to highlight B.J. Fisher.

B.J. has been writing songs for the past 10 years while raising a young family of 6 and working in Milwaukee, WI. His debut album, Night Reminder, will be released this year

We asked B.J. some questions to learn more about his artistic process and inspiration. 

 

How do you describe your songwriting process?

My songwriting process varies, but often I feel a weight of experience and emotion that needs working out. I feel the need to look at my life, at things happening and begin naming things and letting them breathe. When I feel a song inside that needs working out, I do my best to pick up the guitar, fool around for a while and begin singing whatever comes, Free Willy style. When something lands and feels right, I stand on that to ride the wave, then slowly flesh out the rest of the song. It’s rare that the whole song happens at once, but it does happen. It’s usually a couple weeks, months or even years before it’s finished. I’ve also written words down on a page and put that to music, but it’s usually music before lyrics, or music and lyrics simultaneously.
 

Where do you find inspiration and who are your songwriting muses/heroes?

I find loads of inspiration from the wild ride of marriage, parenting small children, from striking works of art and relationships with people, nature and God. There’s been enough mystical happenings throughout my life that I’ve had to take notice, and I undoubtedly draw inspiration from them. The matters of the heart seem to strike more chords with me than any other. Some of my absolute favorite singer-songwriters are Bob Dylan, Bill Fay and Michael Nau.
 

What important news about your music do you have coming up?

I’m about to master my debut album, Night Reminder, releasing this year. The first single will be released this summer.
 

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

To be selected as one of the finalists for this event is so encouraging for me, as I’m just now beginning to release songs in my thirties, and to receive the support from the NewSong team is very special. Upon looking into the festival I was moved by the history, the welcoming spirit and holistic approach of bringing people together to celebrate life engulfed by the beautiful landscape of Black Mountain, NC. I hope to leave LEAF with new friends, a bigger heart and a greater sense of my purpose as an artist. 
 
Learn more about BJ on his website bjfishermusic.com. Follow him on Instagram @B.J._Fisher and on Facebook. 
 

 

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Meet 2020 LEAF Finalist Naïmah

Friday, August 28th, 2020

NewSong’s 7th annual LEAF Festival Singer-Songwriter Competition takes place Oct. 24! This month, we are introducing readers to our eight, talented finalists. Today we are proud to highlight Los Angeles, CA based artist Naïmah.

Naïmah is a SESAC-affiliated and Billboard-recognized singer and songwriter from Washington, D.C., currently based in Los Angeles. She is a member of songwriting/production teams Astana Music—a new record and production company created by legendary producer & Grammy-winning songwriter George Brown (founding member of Kool & the Gang), and The Element—a songwriting & production team made up of esteemed Grammy-winning songwriters, musicians and engineers.

We asked Naïmah some questions to learn more about her artistic process and inspiration. 

How do you describe your songwriting process.

My songwriting varies, but whether it’s with a guitar, a produced beat, or just some snaps – first and foremost is the melody. I start with a melody to lead how the picture starts unfolding in my head. With a few filler words that don’t make any sense I come across the one line that stands out and starts to direct the storyline. From there, it’s all smooth sailing describing the story like a scene on film.

 

Where do you find inspiration and who are your songwriting muses/heroes?

I find inspiration anywhere, honestly. Books, experiences, stories my friends relay, films, dreams… everywhere. Elliott Smith has been my favorite songwriter since 8th grade and remains so to this day.
 

What important news about your music do you have coming up?

With Covid, a lot of projects have been placed on hold, but I look forward to things taking motion again and the projects I have music on.
 

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 means a lot to be a part of this diverse and talented circle of songwriters, and the broader artist community via the LEAF roster. I am really hoping I can participate in the in-person festival once COVID-19 is under control, so we can all come together to celebrate each other’s talents, gain more inspiration, and identify collaboration opportunities!
 
Learn more about Naïmah on her website, and follow the artist on Facebook and on Instagram @naimahmusic

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2020 LEAF Competition Live Performance Finals to take place Fall 2020

Saturday, March 21st, 2020

The 2020 LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition Live Performance Finals has been postponed until
October 24, 2020.

In the interest of public health, the Spring 2020 LEAF Festival has been postponed. We support our friends at LEAF in this very difficult but necessary decision.

This year’s NewSong – LEAF Competition will continue as planned, EXCEPT this year’s live performance showcase and competition finals will take place at the Fall LEAF 2020 Festival.

We are keeping submission pricing at the discounted ‘Early Bird’ rates throughout the submission period, and have extended the submission deadline for two additional weeks.

Stay healthy, music lovers, and we hope to see you in the fall! 

 

From LEAF: 

“During this unprecedented world phenomenon, LEAF Global Arts is drawing upon the beauty and healing power of 25 years of hosting a world gathering built on friends, family, tradition, arts, culture and MUSIC to face the gravity of how we move forward together. … The Spring LEAF Festival, originally scheduled for May 14-17, 2020 is officially shifting to combine with our Fall Festival taking place Oct 22-25, 2020 – for a special 50th Festival Celebration honoring all we hold dear about our Global Community.” Read the full statement here. 

 

IMPORTANT DATES

Monday, May 4: Final deadline to enter

Monday, June 1: 2020 LEAF Finalists Announced

Saturday, October 24: LIVE PERFORMANCE FINALS to take place at the Fall LEAF Festival; Black Mountain, NC (near Asheville, held Thursday Oct. 22 – Sunday Oct 25, 2020).

Submit your songs safely and securely online at newsong-music.com. A portion of the contest proceeds will support LEAF Schools & Streets’ local cultural arts education programming.

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 and compete at the 50th LEAF Festival. The LEAF winner will also earn a spot as one of only eight finalists in the 2020 annual, international NewSong Competition held in Asheville, NC. 

COST TO ENTER
1 song: $35
2 songs: $60
Additional Songs: $20/each

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The 7th Annual NewSong LEAF Competition is now accepting entries

Friday, February 21st, 2020

THE SEVENTH ANNUAL NEWSONG PRESENTS: LEAF SINGER-SONGWRITER COMPETITION IS NOW ACCEPTING ENTRIES

 

UPDATE: Due to public health concerns regarding Covid-19, the LEAF Competition Live Performance Finals will now take place Oct. 22-25. Submission deadline is Monday, May 4, 2020. 

 

February 18, 2020 (Asheville, NC) – LEAF Community Arts (LEAF) and NewSong Music are proud to announce the launch of the 7th Annual NewSong Presents: LEAF 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 and compete at the 50th LEAF Festival, which takes place Oct. 22-25, 2020. The LEAF winner will also earn a spot as one of only eight finalists in the 2020 annual, international NewSong Competition held in Asheville, NC. 

“The LEAF Competition continually attracts and recognizes some of North America’s most talented performing songwriters, across a wide array of genres,” says NewSong co-founder and director Gar Ragland. “This program – and the LEAF – NewSong Music partnership behind it – cultivates and supports a community of exceptional artists from across North America, connecting them not only with one another, but to the deep-rooted LEAF community as well as the local community of talented musicians here in Asheville and Western NC.”

ENTER HERE

The contest is currently accepting online song submissions, and the final deadline to enter is 11:59 PM EST on Monday, May 4, 2020. The deadline for  ‘Early Bird’ has been extended through the final deadline. 

Judges will select eight finalists from advance online submissions, who will then perform in the live showcase and competition finals at the Fall LEAF Festival during the weekend of Oct. 22-25, 2020. A panel of music industry judges will select the overall winner of the competition.

“Entering into our seventh year, LEAF is thrilled to continue a flourishing partnership with Newsong,” says Ehren Cruz, LEAF Artistic Director. “NewSong has an uncanny ability to attract and curate a selection as diverse as it is talented who are united through a powerful shared passion to perform.  We are grateful to provide an opportunity for singer songwriters to expand their audience and receive professional resources helping to build a powerful bridge into new career opportunities. We can’t wait to host this Spring’s finalists at our big 50th LEAF Festival Celebration!” 

The overall LEAF winner will advance to perform and compete as one of only eight international finalists at the annual, international NewSong Music Performance & Songwriting Competition held in Asheville in the fall of 2020.

All eight finalists will each receive a complimentary LEAF Festival performer pass for the day of the performance.

 

‘EARLY BIRD’ DISCOUNTED COST TO ENTER:

$35 – 1 SONG ENTRY

$60 – 2 SONG ENTRY

$20 – EACH ADDITIONAL SONG

Submit your songs safely and securely online at newsong-music.com/contest. A portion of the contest proceeds will support LEAF Schools & Streets’ local cultural arts education programming.

ENTER HERE

 

IMPORTANT NEWSONG PRESENTS: LEAF SINGER-SONGWRITER COMPETITION DATES

Tuesday, February 18

– Online mp3 submission platform opens for entries

Monday, May 4

– Final deadline to enter

Monday, June 1

– Finalists Announced

Saturday Oct. 24

– LIVE PERFORMANCE FINALS at the Spring LEAF Festival (Oct. 22-25); Black Mountain, NC (near Asheville)

 

About LEAF Community Arts

LEAF Community Arts (lovingly called LEAF) 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 (the event that started it all) 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.

 

About NewSong Music

NewSong Music is an independent artist development company headquartered in Asheville, NC.

NewSong’s mission is to build and support a community of performers and songwriters across all genres and levels of skill, and to identify the truly exceptional artists to introduce their music to a broader, international audience. Its programs include a boutique record label (NewSong Recordings), artist management services, concert production and the annual, international NewSong performance and songwriting competition.

Its presenting partners include Arts Brookfield and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York, the ASCAP Music Café at the Sundance Film Festival.

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LEAF Winner Parker Ainsworth returns to festival for grand prize performances

Friday, October 11th, 2019

Parker Ainsworth — the LA-based singer-songwriter who took the Grand Prize at NewSong’s 6th Annual LEAF Competition — will return to LEAF Saturday Oct. 19 for two intimate performances.

LEAF-goers can attend Ainsworth’s two sets on Saturday, Oct. 19 at The Barn at 3:15PM and the Jam Tavern at 8:45PM.

“Playing the Barn was such a magical experience,” says Ainsworth of the competition back in May 2019. “An open space full of music-loving folk, braving the elements to hear songs in their rawness. The event felt like it expanded me with the presence of genuine care … it pretty much blasted my heart wide open.”

He adds, “Talking with my fellow contestants reminded me that though this musical life can feel quite lonely at times, ultimately we’re never really alone. In fact, we’re unavoidably all in this together.”

Ainsworth was chosen from over 400 applicants to the LEAF competition and five other finalists. For the full LEAF schedule and lineup, click here. Those without LEAF tickets this year can catch Ainsworth at Isis Music Hall in West Asheville on Thursday Oct. 17. Tickets available here. 

In addition to the paid, featured performances at LEAF, Ainsworth also advances as a finalist in the 18th annual, international NewSong Showcase and Competition, held November 23 at Isis Music Hall in Asheville. 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 2020 Sundance Film Festival’s coveted ASCAP Music Café.

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Parker Ainsworth wins the sixth annual LEAF Festival Singer-Songwriter Competition, presented by NewSong Music

Tuesday, May 14th, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Western folk/soul artist Parker Ainsworth, from Los Angeles, has been named the winner of the sixth annual LEAF Festival Singer-Songwriter Competition, presented by NewSong Music. Ainsworth, along with five other finalist singer-songwriters, was selected from more than 400 entries to this year’s contest. The finalists performed at LEAF Saturday, May 11, in front of a full house at the Barn venue. This year’s judges were Alli Marshall, arts editor at Mountain Xpress; Jeff Santiago, a local musician and operations manager at The Orange Peel; and Melissa Meyers, founder of Red Rover Booking, an Asheville-based talent agency.

Other finalists were Cat Terrones from San Pedro, CA; Demos Papadimas from Warren, OH; Krista Shows from Candler, NC; Kim Ware from Atlanta, GA; and Syd Caldera from Brooklyn, NY. Ainsworth, Ware and Caldera were the three songwriters selected to move on to the second and final round. Finalists were judged equally on their performance and songwriting ability.

“Playing the Barn was such a magical experience,” says Ainsworth. “An open space full of music-loving folk, braving the elements to hear songs in their rawness. The event felt like it expanded me with the presence of genuine care … it pretty much blasted my heart wide open.”

He adds, “Talking with my fellow contestants reminded me that though this musical life can feel quite lonely at times, ultimately we’re never really alone. In fact, we’re unavoidably all in this together.”

Ainsworth will release his new EP, Far Away, this summer.

“It’s always difficult to select a winner, considering the impressive pool of talent,” says Alli Marshall, who returned as a judge for the fourth time. “This year’s showcase included stunning, Appalachian-flavored balladry, sultry swing, and rootsy folk offerings. All six performers were engaging; each is likely to become a recognizable name in the near future.”

Marshall adds that Ainsworth made a smart move in enlisting Asheville-based musician Zack Kardon as his accompanist. Though the two had not meet previous to the LEAF contest, Kardon provided tasteful electric guitar textures to Ainsworth’s rhythmic and storied song craft. “Parker also made great song choices, sharing his Texas roots, gritty soundscapes, and a non-cliched take on the need for gun control,” says Marshall. “Plus, he invited the enthusiastic audience to share in a sing-along.”

As the winner of the LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition, Ainsworth will receive a paid, featured performance at the fall 2019 LEAF Festival (October 17-20, in Black Mountain, NC), including lodging and accommodations. Other Asheville-area dates are in the works.

Ainsworth also advances as a finalist in the 18th 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 2020 Sundance Film Festival’s coveted ASCAP Music Café. The 2019 NewSong Music Contest is now accepting entries.

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