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Weekly Roundup: NewSong Artist News 11/12-11/18

Monday, November 12th, 2018

We love to keep up with our past NewSong Music Contest finalists and winners, and, over the years, we have amassed a busy and hardworking group of musicians we admire. 

NewSong songwriters live and perform across the continent and beyond, their work spans multiple genres, and these artists are always putting out new material. To keep track of all their news and upcoming shows, we will be highlighting NewSong artists in our weekly roundup. 

We’ve put together a list of five shows, publications and recordings we think you should be paying attention to this week.

We are very excited to announce the NewSong Music Songwriting & Performance Competition will be held at Isis Music Hall in Asheville, NC on Dec. 15. Stay tuned for finalist announcements, coming soon. 

1. Rachael Kilgour — “Holy Are We” single release out this Friday

Rachael Kilgour will release her single “Holy Are We,” off her forthcoming record Game Changer, this Friday. 

Recorded in Asheville, NC at Echo Mountain Studios and produced by Gar Ragland, the EP will be released on NewSong Recordings and features captivating string arrangements by violinist Sara Pajunen.

Pre-order your digital copy here. 

2. Jeffrey Martin — UK TOur

Past NewSong finalist Jeffrey Martin will embark on a tour in the UK this November, with his first show on Nov. 30 in Coggeshall, UK. If you won’t be across the pond for his tour dates, we highly recommend seeking out his music and giving the Portland, OR-based songwriter a listen. 

Praise from Portland Mercury: “Jeffrey Martin’s music is not widely known, which is a shame, because he might be the best songwriter in Portland. With lyrics that read like Raymond Carver stories and a voice that’s one breath away from breaking completely apart, Martin’s songs are beautiful, sparse, and utterly devastating.” 

Listen to Jeffrey Martin on Spotify. 

3. Ana Egge — ListeN: White tiger

Ana Egge, a NewSong finalist from 2007, is another artist we have in our rotation this week, and we think you should, too. Her tenth studio album album, White Tiger, is an ethereal, emotional treat, not to be missed. Folk Alley has this to say about the artist: “Ana Egge has one of those voices—full of breath and breeze one minute, grounded like a boot in a puddle the next—that just feels free.”

Listen to Ana Egge’s latest, White Tiger, on Spotify. 

 

4. Amber Rubarth — European tour + Listen: “A Common case of Disappearing”

Amber Rubarth was NewSong Music’s 2010 grand prize winner. She has spent her fall performing on stages across Europe, with her next show taking place on Nov. 13 in Barcelona, Spain.

For those not in Spain, we recommend listening to the artist’s Grand Prize album, A Common Case of Disappearing, produced and mixed by Jacquire King (Tom Waits, Kings of Leon). 

Listen to Amber Rubarth on Spotify.

Purchase A Common Case of Disappearing. 

5. NewSong Music Finals to take place in asheville, NC, dec. 15

 

Thank you to all who submitted their songs to this year’s NewSong Music Performance and Songwriting Competition this year. The exciting process of selecting eight finalists is underway. Stay tuned for the results, coming soon! This year, the finals competition will be held December 15 in beautiful Asheville, NC at Isis Music Hall.

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Weekly roundup: NewSong Artist News 10/22-10/28

Monday, October 22nd, 2018

We love to keep up with our past NewSong Music Contest finalists and winners, and, over the years, we have amassed a busy and hardworking group of musicians we admire. 

NewSong songwriters live and perform across the continent and beyond, their work spans multiple genres, and these artists are always putting out new material. To keep track of all their news and upcoming shows, we will be highlighting NewSong artists in our weekly roundup. 

We’ve put together a list of five shows, publications and recordings we think you should be paying attention to this week. The deadline for the 2018 NewSong Music Performance & Songwriting Competition is coming up! You have until Sunday, Nov. 4 to submit your original music.

 

1. David Robert King & Crys Matthews – “Have Mercy” video Release

 

David Robert King and Crys Matthews have officially released the video for their first song collaboration, “Have Mercy.” The song is a heartfelt and powerful response to family separation along the U.S. southern border. All proceeds from “Have Mercy” will benefit RAICES.org, a nonprofit agency that promotes justice by providing free and low-cost legal services to underserved immigrant children, families, and refugees in Texas. The song was recorded with producer Gar Ragland at Echo Mountain Recording Studios in Asheville, NC. 

Watch “Have Mercy” on YouTube. Listen to David Robert King and Crys Matthews on Spotify. 

 

2. Kelly English records sophomore album at Echo Mountain Recording Studios

Kelly English will return to Asheville to record her sophomore album with producer Gar Ragland. Kelly was a finalist in the NewSong Music Contest and traveled to Asheville to compete at the Lake Eden Arts Festival in 2015. There, she found a home at Echo Mountain Recording Studios and eventually recorded her 2017 album, City Limits. A year later, she is returning with a host of new songs to record, and we can’t wait to see what is next for this talented artist.

Listen to Kelly English on Bandcamp and stay tuned for new music, coming soon.

3. Max Hatt / edda glass – Recording new album in seattle

Max Hatt / Edda Glass are recording a new album at David Lange Studios outside Seattle. The duo’s last album, Ocean of Birds, was recorded in 2016 with NewSong Recordings and has garnered praise from critics across the country. The band has been featured by NPR Mountain Stage, Sundance Film Festival, NYC’s Lincoln Center, & Daytrotter. This fall they’ve made a sweep of the highly competitive official juried showcases at Arts Midwest, South Arts PAE, and Arts Northwest, three top-tier booking conferences attended by major performing arts centers, presenters, agents, and artists. 

We look forward to their highly anticipated next album. In the meantime, listen to Max Hatt / Edda Glass on Spotify. 

4. Crys matthews – upcoming shows

Crys Matthews, Grand Prize Winner of the 2017 NewSong Music Performance & Songwriting Competition, has some exciting shows coming up this week. You can find Crys at the Cellar Stage in Timonium, MD on Oct. 26 and The Living Room in Ardmore, PA on Oct. 27. This hardworking and eclectic songwriting is on tour through the fall, so check out her tour schedule to see if she’s stopping in a city near you. 

Listen to Crys Matthews on Spotify. 

5. 11/4 deadline approaching for NEWSONG MUSIC PERFORMANCE & SONGWRITING COMPETITION 


Now in its 17th year, the NewSong Music Performance & Songwriting Competition is one of North America’s premier showcases of emerging performers and songwriters across an array of genres.The final deadline to enter this year’s competition is Sunday, November 4.

To learn more and submit, click here.

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Weekly roundup: NewSong Artist News 10/8-10/15

Monday, October 8th, 2018

We love to keep up with our past NewSong Music Contest finalists and winners, and, over the years, we have amassed a busy and hardworking group of musicians we admire. 

NewSong songwriters live and perform across the continent and beyond, their work spans multiple genres, and these artists are always putting out new material. To keep track of all their news and upcoming shows, we will be highlighting NewSong artists in our weekly roundup. 

We’ve put together a list of five shows, publications and recordings we think you should be paying attention to this week. 

 

1. David Robert King – #WeARENEWSONG video out today

David Robert King — a finalist in last year’s NewSong Music Competition whose striking songwriting has been compared to Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits — is featured in our video series, #WeAreNewSong. In the short video, King discusses his experience with the NewSong competition, as well as his musical inspirations and songwriting process. 

King was the runner up in last year’s NewSong Music Performance & Songwriting Competition in New York City. Since then, he has released a new record, Idaho. This past summer, King recorded a single “Have Mercy” with NewSong Grand Prize Winner Crys Matthews and producer Gar Ragland.

David performs at The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville on Wednesday Oct. 10. Buy tickets here. Listen to David Robert King on Spotify. 

 

 

2. Beth Snapp – Oct. Tour Dates

Beth Snapp is keeping busy after the release of her 2018 album, Don’t Apologize. This week, you will find the songwriter with her band at the Music on the Laurel Creek series Tuesday Oct. 9 in Damascus, VA and the Annual Harvest Boogie hosted by Jump TN on Friday Oct. 12.

Meanwhile, Don’t Apologize, recorded at Echo Mountain Recording Studios with producer Gar Ragland, continues to gather positive critical acclaim. Listen to the new album on Spotify. 

 

 

3. Farewell Milwaukee – Flannel Roots Music & Beer festival 

Farewell Milwaukee is a mainstay of the Minneapolis music scene since 2008. The band embraces the role that their Midwestern towns have played in shaping them artistically, garnering them fans through their authentic lyrics, lush vocal harmonies, and an honest sincerity at live shows. Farewell Milwaukee released their fourth full-length album, FM, in September 2018.

The band will perform at the the Flannel Roots Music & Beer Festival in Minnetonka, Minnesota Saturday Oct. 13. Listen to Farewell Milkwaukee on Spotify. 

 

4. NEwsong Recordings spotlight: Rachael Kilgour “Rabbit in the Road”

After a successful crowdfunding campaign, Rachael Kilgour is gearing up to release her next album, Game Changer, early next year. This week, we suggest revisiting Rachael’s first release with NewSong Recordings, Rabbit in the Road.

Billboard calls it “A heartfelt slice of master crafted indie folk, brimming with the battle-tested capacity to endure the worst in others. There’s a steadfast confidence to her voice, which lingers around the guitar and keystrokes like smoke above a dying fire.”

Listen to Rabbit in the Road on Spotify. Purchase the album on bandcamp.

 

 

5. JBird Shogren – Wild west songwriters festival

Shogren is a 2016 NewSong Music Competition finalist and has performed at Lincoln Center in NYC, as well as the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. as part of the NewSong Music Series. He was also in the studio earlier this year at Echo Mountain Recording with producer Gar Ragland, tracking material for his new solo project Horse Machine (stay tuned for more on that in future roundups).

Shogren will perform at the Wild West Songwriters Festival in Deadwood, SD, Oct. 12 and 13. For more information on the festival, visit the website. 

6. SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN FOR 2018 NEWSONG MUSIC PERFORMANCE & SONGWRITING COMPETITION 


Now in its 17th year, the NewSong Music Performance & Songwriting Competition is one of North America’s premier showcases of emerging performers and songwriters across an array of genres.The final deadline to enter this year’s competition is Sunday, November 4.

To learn more and submit, click here.

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Watch live webcast of Crys Matthews performing at the Kennedy Center today, Aug. 22

Wednesday, August 22nd, 2018

NewSong Music is honored to partner with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. to present the 2017 NewSong Music Competition grand prize winner Crys Matthews at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage. 

“It is such an honor to be playing the prestigious Kennedy Center,” says Matthews of her upcoming performance. “There isn’t much that I get to write or call home to my mom about that makes her cheer the way she did the night I won the 2017 NewSong Music and Performance Competition, but this did it. To know I am getting to sing my songs on the same stage as so many of my songwriting heroes means so much to me. To be able sing a song inspired by our former First Lady Michelle Obama in our nation’s Capital will make the night that much sweeter for me, personally.” 

Matthews’s performance is featured as part of the Kennedy Center’s free daily series on its Millennium Stage in the Grand Foyer. Watch the live webcast of her performance this Wednesday, August 22 at 6:00 PM EDT. 

To learn more about Mathews’s experience winning the 2017 NewSong Songwriting and Performance competition, check out our new video series, #WeAreNewSong below. 

More show information here. Tune in to the digital stage here or watch below.

For more on Crys Matthews, visit the artist’s website. 

 

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Wilder Adkins releases new single, “Marietta”

Friday, August 17th, 2018

“Marietta” is the latest single from 2016 NewSong Music Competition Grand Prize Winner, Wilder Adkins.

 
Wilder Adkins, Alabama-based musician and 2016 Grand Prize Winner of the NewSong Music Competition, released a new single Friday, August 17. The song is called “Marietta,” and we asked Adkins to share his thoughts on the song’s meaning, his process and what is coming up next for this talented and prolific songwriter. 
 
NewSong: Could you tell us a little bit about the meaning behind the song? 
Adkins: “Marietta” is about someone who has to end a relationship because they know their partner isn’t happy and probably never will be — because they’re always chasing that next big thrill. The singer is “taking a fall,” knowing that he will be blamed, and that’s why he sings “I’m going down.”
 
Was there any particular impetus for writing it?
I was working on some Springsteen covers for a tribute show that I played over in Atlanta, and this was the next song that I wrote. So I think it was influenced a bit by that process and listening to some Heartland rock songs, but it has my own melancholy spin on things.
 

WIlder Adkins and producer Gar Ragland are currently working on a two volume recording project that was recently recorded at Asheville’s Echo Mountain Recording Studio.

In what ways has your songwriting process or point of view changed over time?
I think in some ways I have gotten faster at songwriting. I still take a while to finish most songs, but mainly because I don’t have a lot of free time to work on them. This song came pretty quickly, and I think part of that is because I’ve learned to stop trying to edit myself before putting the words down, as opposed to moving on and editing afterwards.  
 
What musical collaborations are featured on the recording?
My good friend Molly Parden sang harmonies with me. She is a great songwriter in her own right, but also performs frequently with notables such as Peter Bradley Adams, Matthew Perryman Jones, and David Ramirez. A Birmingham native, Jamison Harper, played the Baritone sax. Jamison is a visual artist, as well, so he is a very multi-talented guy. 
 
What’s next for you in your music career?
After this song releases, I am putting out a cover of Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark” next month. I’m also looking forward to finishing up a recording project at Echo Mountain Recording Studios in Asheville this fall. 
 

 
Listen to “Marietta” on Spotify.
Listen to “Marietta” on iTunes.
Stay up-to-date with Wilder Adkins at his website.

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Crys Matthews records grand prize EP at Echo Mountain Recording Studios

Monday, July 30th, 2018
 

Crys Matthews was the Grand Prize Winner of the 2017 NewSong Music Competition. She spent time in Asheville this July recording her grand prize EP with producer Gar Ragland at Echo Mountain Recording Studios.

 

NewSong Music is delighted to have 2017 Grand Prize Winner Crys Matthews in the studio this week, recording her EP, These Old Hands. 

Matthews credits her NewSong win with launching her music career in the right direction. “Since that night, I’ve been on an incredible trajectory,” she says. “I have been able to play some of the most amazing venues in the country, meet some of the most amazing people, and rub elbows with some of the greats like Michael Franti and Keb Mo.”
 
Of her new EP with NewSong Recordings, These Old Hands, Matthews says, “It’s a complete departure from my last two projects and has more of an angsty Joan Armatrading feel to it. I’m so looking forward to sharing these songs — especially with my fans who always want to hear some sad songs.” 
 
“It’s such a pleasure to be working with Crys on this new collection of beautiful songs,” says Ragland, who is producing and mixing the project. “It’s a bit of a departure from her previous recorded work, and pushes the envelope in both exciting and musical ways. The whole team is excited for its upcoming release.”
 

More about Crys Matthews

Crys Matthews is nothing if not ambitious. In August 2017, she simultaneously released both a new full-length album, The Imagineers and an EP, Battle Hymn For An Army Of Lovers. These collections showcase two sides of Matthews’ dynamic songwriting; The Imagineers is a selection of thoughtful songs about love and life while Battle Hymn For An Army Of Lovers tackles social justice themes. Songs from both projects have already won her recognition and awards. She was one of ten finalists (from a pool of 5,000) in this year’s NewSong Music Competition and, after performing at Lincoln Center on November 30th, she was named grand-prize winner. Matthews also won the People Music Network’s Social Justice Songs contest at the 2017 Northeast Regional Folk Alliance.

We hope you will follow along with Crys Matthew’s growing music career and check out her releases on Spotify and iTunes! For updates and show schedule, visit her website. 

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Crys Matthews and David Robert King team up to record new single

Monday, July 30th, 2018

Finalists often tell us that one of the best perks about being a part of the NewSong Songwriting Competition is having the opportunity to meet likeminded songwriters. The spirit of the competition is far from cut-throat and often opens doors for collaborations and networking, which was certainly the case for songwriters and 2017 finalists Crys Matthews and David Robert King. The duo met at Echo Mountain Recording Studios in late July with NewSong founder Gar Ragland to record a new single, “Have Mercy.” 

We took some time to talk to the artists about their songwriting processes and experiences with collaboration. 

Q&A with Crys Matthews and David Robert King 

NewSong: How did this song collaboration come about? 

David: I woke up one morning with the first verse running through my head. I had been digesting the 24-hour news cycle for too many days in a row and was crushed. Specifically, by the separation of families along our southern border. This was different than my usual introspective and dark stuff, it had an inherent hope to it. I immediately thought of my immensely talented friend Crys, who I met through the NewSong community. I knew her voice and perspective would take the song where it needed to go.

Crys: David and I met during the NewSong finals back in November. I loved his style and especially his voice (it’s so reminiscent of Tom Waits) and his guitar playing is incredible. We kept in touch after that night at Lincoln Center in the hopes of getting to become better friends and share a show or two. He reached out to me not long after the family separation crisis started and sent a snippet of the song. We went back and forth — adding, subtracting, shaping, reshaping — until it felt like we had it right.

How would you describe the meaning and/or impetus behind “Have Mercy”?

Crys: My mom, who is a preacher, talks to me all the time about how hard she is praying for our country these days with all of the turmoil and despair that seems to be running rampant. The song to me just feels like that prayer, a sincere hope that we will get through this chapter the way we got through the 50s and 60s and 9/11 and countless wars and everything else that America has had to endure and overcome.
 
David: [The song expresses] my thoughts on what America can be if we turn on all the lights, expose the shadows, and put down our remote controls and iPhones and stand up together against injustice. We need to face our demons, current and past, and make things right. We need mercy
 
What has it been like to work together on this project? 
 
David: Crys got it right away. We didn’t discuss the song or the message. I just sent her what I had (first verse and chorus) and she went to work. It usually takes me months or years to write a tune. Doing this with Crys, it took days.
 
Crys: It has been wonderful! It’s only my second co-write, and I’m so grateful to David for this chance to help bring some tenderness and beauty to people.
 
Stay tuned for “Have Mercy,” the new song from Crys Matthews and David Robery King. For more information on Crys Matthews, visit crysmatthews.com. For more information on David Robert King, visit davidrobertking.com.
 
 
 
 

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#WeAreNewSong :: Andrea Lopez

Friday, July 20th, 2018

Miami, Florida’s Andrea Lopez, performing as a finalist last November in the 16th annual NewSong Music Competition finals at New York City’s Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.

Every year, NewSong receives countless song submissions from talented artists across North American and beyond. Only a handful are chosen each year as finalists. And while not all of these finalists take home the grand prize, all of them leave a lasting impression on the NewSong team. Supporting and fostering new and as-yet-undiscovered musicians is what NewSong is all about, which is why we aim to celebrate past finalists and winners in our new video series, #WeAreNewSong. 

Watch our interview with Andrea Lopez, a 2017 NewSong Songwriting Competition finalist, to learn more about what drives her songwriting and her experience with NewSong. 

Watch #WEARENEWSONG video

Andrea Lopez is our first artist featured in the series, and she is no doubt an artist to watch. This 24-year-old, bilingual songwriter from Miami self-released her last album “Echoes” in April 2017. The EP consisted of five original songs, which ranked highly on the iTunes Charts (#1 Top EPS & Singles, #5 Top Latin Albums, #8 Top Singer/Songwriter Albums) and earned her placements on numerous Spotify playlists. Additionally, her song “Por Ti” was awarded as a finalist in the Latin category of the John Lennon Songwriting Competition.

WATCH FULL PERFORMANCE OF ‘ECHOES’ LIVE FROM NEWSONG COMPETITION FINALS 

We hope you follow Andrea’s career, as we will, and check out her work on Spotify and iTunes! 

To stay up-to-date with Andrea’s news and schedule, visit her website. 

 

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Beth Snapp releases new video for single “Don’t Apologize”

Friday, July 13th, 2018

Beth Snapp and NewSong Music are proud to announce the video release for Snapp’s latest single “Don’t Apologize.” 

“’Don’t Apologize” is the title track [of the new EP]; however, it really became the overarching theme of both this project as well as my current place in life,” says Snapp.

Beth Snapp – “Don’t Apologize” (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

“We get insecure, we listen to the voices in our head (or sometimes the voices around us) and suddenly we aren’t just ashamed of our character flaws – we become ashamed of our character. We become ashamed of trying new things, putting ourselves out there, being vulnerable…and that has to stop. SO. Don’t apologize – ever — for loving yourself, loving your neighbors, and trying to pour some of that love into this broken world.” 

The video was written by Snapp and produced by Jeb Johnson. “Don’t Apologize,” is the first single released from Snapp’s new EP of the same name, which was produced and mixed by Gar Ragland of NewSong Recordings. 

“Don’t Apologize” is available for purchase on Spotify, Bandcamp andd iTunes. Pre-order the full EP on iTunes, and receive the single as an instant gratification download.

Learn more about Beth and stay up to date with her performance schedule at bethsnapp.com.

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Clarence Bucaro to perform at Isis Music Hall in Asheville, NC on June 20

Monday, June 18th, 2018

Clarence Bucaro performs in Asheville, NC at Isis Music Hall Wednesday June 20.

 
Our NewSong Songwriting Competition finalists go on to do incredible things, and 2013 finalist Clarence Bucaro is no exception. 

In May 2018, Clarence Bucaro released his powerful new studio album, Passionate Kind, on indie 2020 Records. Rolling Stone said of the album; “Buoyant, sometimes playful folk songwriting with a deep well of social consciousness,” and named him one of “10 Artists to Watch.”

Clarence is currently playing shows around the country to promote the album. The artist performs at Isis Music Hall in Asheville, NC on Wednesday, June 20. In advance of the show, we asked Bucaro about his new release, as well as his songwriting process. 

For details on the June 20 show in Asheville, visit the Facebook event page. For ticket giveaway info, check out NewSong Music’s Facebook and Instagram accounts @NewSongMusic. 

 

Can you tell us about your latest release, Passionate Kind? What was the inspiration behind it? 
 
Passionate Kind is a collection of songs that engages in the current moment. It’s a plea for direction in confusing times and asking for answers of today’s social ills. It ruminates over social issues and attempts to find answers. 
 
What is your songwriting process like? 
 
Songwriting to me is a deeply personal thing. I take intimate ideas or images and turn them into tunes. Typically, I start with a lyric or image and spend time (days sometimes years) creating melodies. I try to connect to human feelings and imagine them thru different prisms. All the while asking myself, is it honest and is it real. My intent is to innovate on lyrics yet keep them completely relatable. 
 
Is there anything that you would like fans to know (upcoming news, tour dates, etc)?
 
Check out my website for tour dates this summer. I will be hitting up most major markets. 
Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram @clarencebucaromusic.

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