Posts Tagged ‘Singer/Songwriter’

Three Questions with Early Bird Finalist: Market Junction

Friday, October 7th, 2016

Three questions with Early Bird Finalist: Market Junction

Market Junction is the name under which Matt Parish and Justin Lofton share their insightful brand of Americana, and NewSong Music is excited to welcome the Houston, Texas-based duo as Early Bird Finalists.

The two friends currently have a single called “All I Really Need” on the Texas Region Radio chart, and they have secured opening spots for artists including Charlie Pride, Ray Wylie Hubbard and Little Texas. We think it’s only a matter of time before we start hearing more about Market Junction, and we are only too happy to welcome them to the NewSong stage.

We asked Matt and Justin a few questions about their songwriting. To learn more about the band, visit mktjct.com.

How would you describe your sound to those who have never heard you before?

We are Americana to our core. If you listen to our record, you will hear elements of folk, country and rock, but the foundation lies in our quest to tell a good story.

What fuels your songwriting?

Justin and I have been best friends for a long time. Our experiences together, along with our families, find their way into our writing. We are suckers for sad stories and hard times.  Artistically, our goal is to paint a picture without drawing the lines too clearly.

What inspired you to submit to NewSong?

We had not heard about NewSong before, but the contest intrigued us. We were looking for a way to showcase our songwriting abilities on a national level, and NewSong seemed to be a good avenue for that.

KORBY LENKER DISCUSSES CAREER AND LASTING FRIENDSHIPS MADE AT NEWSONG MUSIC COMPETITION

Thursday, September 29th, 2016

Korby Lenker, performing in the 2014 NewSong finals at New York’s Lincoln Center

Korby Lenker is an accomplished Nashville-based songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and past NewSong finalist who is no stranger to songwriting competitions. His music features sounds ranging from folksy, indie-pop songs to hard rock funk tunes, and his albums have garnered him praise from SPIN Magazine, the BBC’s Bob Harris, as well as opening slots for acts ranging from Willie Nelson to Ray LaMontagne, and Nickel Creek to Keith Urban. Most recently, in September 2016, Lenker took home the first place prize in the esteemed Rocky Mountain Folks Fest Songwriter’s Showcase.

Lenker’s undeniable talent as a songwriter, paired with his successes as a short story writer and even filmmaker, assure us that this NewSong finalist is on the road to even bigger and better things. We took some time to talk with Lenker about his experience with NewSong Music, and how the connections he made during the competition impacted his career.

Korby Lenker

What inspired you to submit your work to NewSong Music Competition?

As a professional touring singer-songwriter, I’m always looking for ways to get my music out there and have it be recognized. I had heard of the NewSong competition from a friend who had entered the year before, so I went for it.

What are some of the networking opportunities that you encountered through NewSong?

The best part of NewSong was the dinner the night before. It was only a couple hours, so we didn’t have a lot of time, but somehow I was able to make several new friends who I have since both toured with and have included on recordings. There were artists like me from all over the country, not just people who were doing it, but people who were GOOD. The dinner the night before made it easy to get to know each other.

Would you recommend that other artists submit to NewSong? Why?

I would recommend any singer songwriter serious about their career to submit to NewSong. It’s fun to play Lincoln Center, and the contest and concert itself was run very efficiently and professionally. It was a few years ago for me, but I still carry fond memories, and have relationships to this day that were forged that weekend in NYC.

Lenker is currently recording his latest album titled, Thousand Springs. To learn more about the upcoming album, as well as keep up to date on performances, visit korbylenker.com.

#InstagramTakeover with Queen Esther

Thursday, September 22nd, 2016

NewSong alum and past finalist Queen Esther recently gave us a BTS view in the day of the life of this talented singer/songwriter during a recent performance at Washington DC’s Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

 

 

YAY! A #dinner #party after our #performance: #BlackAmericana at #thekennedycenter! #instagramtakeover #newsongmusic #queenesther #music #instagood #instalike #insta #webstalike #webstagram #millenniumstage #insta #instalike #americana

A photo posted by NewSong Music (@newsongmusic) on

 

Our final bow — @QueenEsther and The Blue Crowns: #BlackAmericana at #thekennedycenter! #instagramtakeover #newsongmusic #queenesther #music #instagood #instalike #insta #webstalike #webstagram #millenniumstage #insta #instalike #musicvideo #americana

A photo posted by NewSong Music (@newsongmusic) on

 

In #performance: #queenesther sings the title track from her #BlackAmericana album “The Other Side” at #thekennedycenter! #instagramtakeover #newsongmusic #music #instagood #instalike #insta #webstalike #webstagram #millenniumstage #insta #instalike #musicvideo #americana

A video posted by NewSong Music (@newsongmusic) on

 

WOW! Full house! In #performance: #BlackAmericana at #thekennedycenter! #instagramtakeover #newsongmusic #queenesther #music #instagood #instalike #insta #webstalike #webstagram #millenniumstage #insta #instalike #musicvideo #americana

A photo posted by NewSong Music (@newsongmusic) on

 

The finished product. #instagramtakeover #newsongmusic #queenesther #blackamericana #music #instagood #instalike #insta #webstalike #webstagram #thekennedycenter #millenniumstage

A photo posted by NewSong Music (@newsongmusic) on

 

Soundcheck! #instagramtakeover #newsongmusic #queenesther #blackamericana #music #instagood #instalike #insta #webstalike #webstagram

A photo posted by NewSong Music (@newsongmusic) on

 

What if this #tunnel never ends? #instagramtakeover #newsongmusic #queenesther #blackamericana #music #instagood #instalike #insta #webstalike #webstagram #newjerseyturnpike

A video posted by NewSong Music (@newsongmusic) on

 

…#driving through Toll-Landia… #instagramtakeover #newsongmusic #queenesther #blackamericana #music #instagood #instalike #insta #webstalike #webstagram #newjerseyturnpike

A photo posted by NewSong Music (@newsongmusic) on

 

…now entering Toll-Landia… #instagramtakeover #newsongmusic #queenesther #blackamericana #music #instagood #instalike #insta #webstalike #webstagram #newjerseyturnpike

A photo posted by NewSong Music (@newsongmusic) on

 

Coffee break — we’re halfway there! #instagramtakeover #newsongmusic #music #queenesther #blackamericana #roadtrip #insta #instagood #instagram #webstagram #webstalike

A photo posted by NewSong Music (@newsongmusic) on

 

MPB’s #snack of choice. #Haribo #sourgummybears #roadtrip #instagramtakeover #newsongmusic #queenesther #blackamericana #music #insta #instagood #instalike #webstagood #webstagram

A photo posted by NewSong Music (@newsongmusic) on

 

I should be asleep right now. #instagramtakeover #newsongmusic #queenesther #blackamericana #roadtrip #dc #music #insta #instagood #instalike #webstalike #webstagood

A photo posted by NewSong Music (@newsongmusic) on

 

“…that endless black ribbon of highway…” #instagramtakeover #newsongmusic #queenesther #blackamericana #roadtrip #thekennedycenter #music #millenniumstage #skyporn #insta #instalike #webstagram

A photo posted by NewSong Music (@newsongmusic) on

 

…and then there were three: #kelvynbell, MPB and #hilliardgreene, sitting in my parlor for a spell. #instagramtakeover #newsongmusic #musicians #queenesther #harlem #insta #instagood #instalike #webstagram #webstagood

A photo posted by NewSong Music (@newsongmusic) on

 

The @queenesther #work #outfit that gets it done: #byronlars, #Nigerian #mudcloth and #samedelman #wedge #heel #pumps. #queenesther #fashionista #fashion #style #dress #insta #instagramtakeover #newsongmusic #blackamericana #webstagram #webstagood

A photo posted by NewSong Music (@newsongmusic) on

 

The #Breakfast Club — #guitarist #kelvynbell and MPB, almost ready to leave for DC. #newsongmusic #instagramtakeover #music #thekennedycenter #blackamericana #queenesther #insta #instagood #instalike #webstagram #webstagood

A photo posted by NewSong Music (@newsongmusic) on

 

A #dope #manicure + my Grandfather’s #watch = an hour to pack before the band gets here. #newsongmusic #instagramtakeover #queenesther #wrenandglory #silver #jewelry #fashion #style #fashionista #insta #instagood #instalike #webstagram

A photo posted by NewSong Music (@newsongmusic) on

 

‘Bye, Buddy…! We can’t take our #furboy with us to @kencen in DC, so he’s going to #CampCanine overnight. #dogsofinstagram #brindle #terriermix #puppy #insta #instagram #webstagram #nycpuppy #nycdog #dog #instagramtakeover #newsongmusic #queenesther

A photo posted by NewSong Music (@newsongmusic) on

The 15th Annual Newsong Music Performance & Songwriting Competition Is Now Open!

Wednesday, July 20th, 2016

NewSongMusicCompetition

Submit your songs today for your chance to be selected as one of ten finalists to perform and compete at the esteemed Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City this December. 

There, one grand prize winner will be chosen to receive recording and performance prizes, assembled to provide significant credibility and momentum to the winner’s music and music career. Now in its 15th year, the NewSong Music Award is one of North America’s most respected and prestigious performance and songwriting showcases and competitions.

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

The 2016 NewSong Music Grand Prize Winner will receive:

  • A fully-funded recording session at the acclaimed Echo Mountain Recording Studios in beautiful Asheville, NC and released on the NewSong Recordings label
  • A featured, return performance at Lincoln Center in New York in 2017
  • A suite of other performance opportunities across the country

IMPORTANT DATES:

  • Early Bird Discounted Deadilne: August 15
  • End of Open Submission: October 15
  • Announce NSM Finalists: November 1
  • Live Performance Showcase & Competition at Lincoln Center (NYC): Saturday, December 10

*All entrants will be considered for future recording, management and performance opportunities through NewSong Music’s partnerships that include the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, ASCAP, Arts Brookfield, and ReverbNation.