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Tickets are available for the 21st annual NewSong Music Competition

Friday, October 28th, 2022

In celebration of its 21st Anniversary, NewSong Music Performance & Songwriting Competition will welcome eight finalists to Asheville, NC, for an evening of songs and connection on Saturday, December 3, 2022. The internationally recognized event, previously held at the prestigious Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, has since found a home in the mountains of Western North Carolina. NewSong is proud to partner with Citizen Vinyl, a multifaceted event space in downtown Asheville, to present the finale showcase. 

Tickets are $50 General Admissions and $125 VIP.
Purchase tickets here:  https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/6736939

VIP PACKAGE: Join us as a patron of the arts for a pre-concert gathering. Enjoy drinks, hors d’oeuvres, an exclusive meet & greet with this year’s finalists, preferred seating for the evening and a digital recording of the night’s performances mixed by our own Gar Ragland, Co-Founder and Director of NewSong Music and Founder and CEO of Citizen Vinyl. Doors at 5:30PM.

GENERAL ADMISSION: General admission seating will include concert style and cafe tables as well as some bar stools. Seating is first come first serve. Doors at 6PM / Show at 7PM.
The finalists, selected from advance online submissions from across North America and beyond, will bring their musical chops to Asheville to perform, compete, and connect with one another. A panel of music industry judges will select one grand prize winner who will receive a fully funded six-song EP, recorded and mixed at Citizen Studios, plus 500 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.

Citizen Vinyl, established by NewSong Music director and co-founder Gar Ragland, is North Carolina’s first vinyl pressing facility, and boasts a variety of amenities including a full-scale recording studio, a vinyl-themed craft cocktail and coffee lounge, a farm to table café, a record and art store, and more. 

Now in its 21st year, the NewSong Music Performance & Songwriting Competition is one of North America’s premier showcases of emerging performers and songwriters today. This crowd-sourced effort seeks to identify the truly exceptional artists within our communities and to work closely with them to develop their careers and introduce their music to a broader, international audience while building a supportive community of performers and songwriters across all genres of music and levels of skill.

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Michael Flynn’s NewSong Music Residency at Citizen Vinyl Runs Throughout July

Tuesday, June 28th, 2022

Musician Michael Flynn, the 2021 grand-prize winner of the NewSong Music Performance and Songwriting Competition, is the artist in residence at Citizen Vinyl throughout July 2022. Performance dates are Fridays, July 1st, 8th, 15th, and 29th.

“Citizen Vinyl has such an intoxicating atmosphere of history and progressive art; just being in that building is deeply inspiring,” he says, “I can’t wait to play music in it every week for a month.”On Friday, July 22nd, Flynn will perform a special in-the-round style session with 2021 NewSong Music Performance and Songwriting Competition finalists Olivia Lloyd and Jay Filson, also at Citizen Vinyl. All concerts begin at 5pm and are free to attend.

As part of his grand prize package, Flynn was awarded the opportunity to record at Citizen Studios. The modern analog mixing and tracking room was originally the live performance studio for WWNC radio broadcasts. Flynn’s album-in-process is “a collection of songs that indulge in a lot of my favorite musical ideas—80s synths, folk instruments, woodwinds, etc.—like an Americana band that got their boarding gate confused and accidentally ended up on a flight to outer space,” he says. “Lyrically it was mostly written at the bedside of a loved one succumbing to pancreatic cancer, so it’s a harrowing exploration of life and death and love and grace. Flynn calls Saluda, N.C. home. His songs have been featured on shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Shameless and his most recent EP is Endlings. On Monday, July 25, he’ll release the single “Wishing Tree (Stolen Spoons Remix).” The original track, says Flynn, was a “sparse banjo meditation on frustrations with the music industry.” It was remixed by Los Angeles-based producer Stolen Spoons.

Flynn’s residency coincides with acceptance of submissions for the 2022 NewSong Music Performance and Songwriting Competition, sponsored by Citizen Vinyl. 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. The NewSong Music Performance & Songwriting Competition finale will take place on Saturday, December 2, 2022 at Citizen Vinyl in downtown Asheville.

Discounted ‘Early Bird’ entries are now open (1 song: $40; 2 songs: $70; additional songs: $25 each). Entry prices increase after Sunday, July 24, with the final deadline for submissions on Sunday, September 18, 2022. To submit your original music, visit newsong-music.com/contest.

Learn more about Michael Flynn at michaelflynn.com. For up-to-date information on the 2022 NewSong Music Performance & Songwriting Competition, visit newsong-music.com. To learn more about Citizen Vinyl, visit citizenvinyl.com.

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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.

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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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Mel Bryant releases new video for single, “Memphis”

Tuesday, April 21st, 2020

Nashville-based songwriter and past NewSong winner Mel Bryant continues to treat fans to new music, and we eagerly await each new release! Follow Mel Bryant & the Mercy Makers on YouTube for a new video every week. 

To learn more about Mel Bryant and her upcoming album release on NewSong Recordings, read our Q&A with the artist here. 

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