Archive for the ‘Contest’ Category

Meet 2018 NewSong Competition finalist: Alex Wong

Friday, December 7th, 2018

From the artist’s bio: Alex Wong’s curiosity has a varied appetite, and he’s always fed it well. A steady diet of projects as artist, producer, composer, and fittingly, as chef, has taught him that the connections between seemingly separate disciplines can be a source of inspiration rather than distraction. Perhaps this understanding stems from his synesthesia, a rare neurological condition where the brain perceives relationships between unrelated senses. Alex sees sounds and hears colors. What a doctor might deem peculiar, his creative mind appreciates as a gift: this multi-sensory approach allows him to find magic in unexpected connections.

Following those connections has rarely led Alex in a straight line, but it has led him to a Latin GRAMMY-nomination (Miguel Bose), song placements in film, television (One Tree Hill, The Lincoln Lawyer, The Last Song) and major ad campaigns (Google, Aquafina), as well as production credits with Delta Rae (Big Machine), Vienna Teng (Universal), Elizabeth and the Catapult (Compass) and Ari Hest (Columbia), among others. It has led him around the globe, to perform at festivals like Coachella and Outside Lands, arenas in Mexico City and theaters in Europe and Japan. Read full bio on Alex’s website

We asked Alex some questions about his songwriting process and what it means to be a NewSong finalist. To purchase tickets for the Dec. 15 event at Isis Music Hall, visit our ticketing page. 

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

 
Being selected as a NewSong finalist is especially meaningful to me because it’s the first time I’ve put music out under my own name. I’ve been really lucky to have had a career making music as a collaborator, band member and as a writer/producer in support of other artists, but fear always held me back from releasing music under my own name. Even when I put a solo album out over 6 years ago, I used a moniker (A City On A Lake) because I wasn’t comfortable using my name.
 
I realized I’d grown up learning to hide … as a minority kid growing up in suburban U.S., we were taught to fit in to white culture and downplay our cultural identities. As a drummer, I learned my place was in the back of the band and that writing songs and being out front was a job for someone else. It’s been a long path to try and re-write that narrative, to stand in my own space as an artist and to let myself truly be seen in the world without the protective layer of a band or collaborator. The Quiet Voice was the first song I’ve ever released under my own name so it means the world to me that it was recognized by NewSong.
 

What is your songwriting process like, and where do you find inspiration?

 
For me, songwriting has always been a way to ask questions. I’m not really moved to write until I feel there is a question I’ve been wrestling with and can’t figure out. Sometimes I feel I’m most interested in trying to write (what I pretentiously call) “secular spirituals” because even though I’m not religious, the questions that are most interesting and that pop up in my writing the most are metaphysical in nature and often have to do with the relationship between life on Earth and the before/after life, if there is such a thing.
 
I am fascinated with why we are here, what lessons we are here to learn and whether we’ve been here before, and I think that seeps into my writing all the time. As far as inspirations, I used to have a big sign in my studio that said “WWTPD” (what would Tom Petty do?) and anytime I was stuck in the writing process I would just try to channel him. I always admired his ability to cut out all extraneous crap and his brilliant economy with lyric and melody. I also tend to worship Bob Dylan, Brian Wilson, Paul Simon, Radiohead, Quincy, Pharrell, Stravinsky and Chopin, to name a few.
 

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

 
I just finished my second solo album, called The Elephant and the Seahorse, which I plan to release in April 2019. I will also be releasing a duo concept album with Jesse Terry in 2019, about a town in Alaska struggling with climate change. I’m currently writing a musical called The Paper Raincoat with former NewSong winner Amber Rubarth and NewSong finalist Devon Copley (The Animators, 2006). I will be continuing to release exclusive content and videos on my Patreon site, which I adore. As a producer, I just started work with NC natives Delta Rae on their upcoming double album.

 

Listen to Alex Wong on Soundcloud and Spotify. Follow Alex Wong on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter

 

Meet 2018 NewSong Competition finalist: Mel Bryant

Thursday, December 6th, 2018

Mel Bryant & the Mercy Makers are a Nashville-based indie rock band led by bassist and songwriter Mel Bryant. The four musicians moved together from Philly and New York to settle in East Nashville where they run their own recording studio, Electric Church Records, and work as the backing band for various local artists. Mel will travel to Asheville to compete in the NewSong Music Competition with her accompanist, Aaron Hicks, on acoustic guitar. 

We asked Mel some questions about her songwriting process and what it means to be a NewSong finalist. To purchase tickets for the Dec. 15 event at Isis Music Hall, visit our ticketing page. 

 

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

 
The recognition as a songwriter is so heartwarming and self-affirming in the midst of self doubt and those pesky feelings that we don’t deserve to do this thing we love to do. I’m really excited to connect with like-minded songwriters for future collaborations and play in a really awesome Asheville venue!
 

What is your songwriting process like? Who inspires you?

 
My songwriting process is fairly inconsistent, but usually starts with a lyrical idea: something short like a sentence or even a word pairing, and maybe a rhyming scheme along with that, something that I thought of during my daily life, working as a server at a brunch place, or out of things I’ve overheard or read somewhere. I usually flesh it out on a guitar or just with my voice, and then will refine it with another member of my band, or with my entire band, if I think the song would gel with my bandmates.
 
Some of my biggest inspirations growing up were punk rock bands like Green Day and Fall Out Boy, along with folk songwriters like Laura Marling, Joni Mitchell, etc, but as I got older and delved into other genres, some big influences have been blues artists like B. B. King, classic rock bands like the Allman Brothers, Led Zeppelin, The Eagles, etc. Lately, the low-key, heartfelt indie rock vein has informed a lot of my writing, with artists like Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker and Pinegrove.
 

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

 
We released our debut single In My Head in October and we hope to have a lot more music out later in 2019. We are nearly finished building our home studio, which we plan to use to record and film ourselves for weekly videos and to record other musicians in Nashville.

 

Listen to Mel Bryant on Soundcloud, watch on YouTube, and follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

 

Meet 2018 NewSong Competition Finalist: Liz Frame

Tuesday, December 4th, 2018

(From the artist’s bio): Boston-based singer/songwriter Liz Frame has been performing her own brand of Americana music since her early teens. She is backed live by her band, the Kickers — John Webb on lead guitars, Sean Hennessy on bass and Pete Whitehead on drums — a group of talented friends whose raw sound and sweet harmonies help to deliver her material with distinction. A prodigious writer, Ms. Frame released her first full-length recording, “Sooner,” in 2011 that drew strong praise and consistent airplay, followed by the EP, Justine. She and the band have spent the last five years on the road and are out there again this year, in support of their brand new full-length record, Sparrow in a Shoebox.

Her voice bears likeness to Patsy Cline and Linda Ronstadt, and her writing is influenced by veterans like Dolly Parton and Lucinda Williams, among others.

We asked Liz some questions about her songwriting process and what it means to be a NewSong finalist. To purchase tickets for the Dec. 15 event at Isis Music Hall, visit our ticketing page. 

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

Being chosen as a finalist is such an honor! It means I get to meet other like-minded artists who take the craft of songwriting as seriously as I do. And it validates my own efforts, which is always nice. So many of us practice our craft in complete anonymity, so to be recognized like this is very special and much appreciated!
 

What is your songwriting process like?

I make time to write whenever I can, and go into my living room to do so. I sit with my guitar, and I just start strumming. Sometimes I work with a preexisting idea, sometimes not. Oftentimes I’ll have a word or two to work with, usually the title of the song, that gets me going. That was the case with “Sparrow in a Shoebox.” I started with the word “shoebox” and went from there! Songwriting is such a mysterious and satisfying process. I love it!
 

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

We are busy promoting our new album, Sparrow in a Shoebox, and that it’s getting airplay around the country!

 

Listen to Liz Frame on Soundcloud and Spotify. Watch on YouTube
Follow Liz Frame on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.  
 

Meet 2018 NewSong Competition finalist: Carly Taich

Monday, December 3rd, 2018

Photo credit: Shonie Joy Kuykendall

 

(From the artist’s bio): North Carolina-based musician, Carly Taich, is tough to pin down. Just when you think you’ve got her figured out, she takes off in a new direction with her hand out-stretched, waving for you to follow. She may be quick but she’d never leave you behind. This patient yet resolute nature has been revealed, like most innovative things, to be a strength for the seraphic songwriter. She holds a magnifying glass to her own soul before turning it on others. She has an unexpected, laissez-faire way of tackling the human experience, then holding it with humor and grace as if to always be secretly saying to her audience, “You are not alone.” 

Inspired by alternative-pop egos from the Andrew Sisters to Andrew Bird, Taich has coined her music “fearless folk-pop” to no one’s opposition. Since planting herself in Asheville three short years ago, she has won multiple songwriting awards and in 2018 performed in some of the area’s favorite music festivals and one of the nation’s biggest and best, Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. Her recent album, Reverie, was regarded by Blurt Magazine as “a start-to-finish, no-filler/all-killer gem—a veritable calling card to greatness if enough ears find it.” 

We asked Carly some questions about her songwriting process and what it means to be a NewSong finalist. To purchase tickets for the Dec. 15 event at Isis Music Hall, visit our ticketing page. 

 

What is your songwriting process like?

My process is always changing and is hard to nail down. When I’m writing, I often feel like two parts of my brain are fighting. One part wants to solve the song like a puzzle, while the other part wants to be totally abstract. I’m just standing in the middle trying to get them to compromise. Lately I’ve been inspired by some good advice to keep working that muscle and write every single day. My number one priority is to always have fun doing it.
 

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 an honor. I hope to be inspired by all the talent and make some lasting connections with the other songwriters.
 

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

I have two new singles I am very excited to release. Release date TBA! 

 

Listen to Carly Taich on SoundCloud and Spotify.
Watch Carly Taich on YouTube.  Follow her on Facebook and Instagram

Meet 2018 NewSong Competition Finalist: Suzie Brown

Friday, November 30th, 2018

NewSong finalist Suzie Brown is a Nashville-based singer-songwriter, who is also an Advanced Heart Failure/Heart Transplant cardiologist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. After years of working hard for success in the medical field, Brown discovered a relentless pull towards music that has now yielded five albums, a succession of songwriting awards, featured placement of her music at retailers like Starbucks and the Gap, and invitations to TEDMED and other conferences around the country to speak about finding a vulnerability through music that makes her a better doctor.

Her latest album, Sometimes Your Dreams Find You, was born in that space of uncertain transition followed by confident calm–she no longer feels the need to choose one part of herself over another. “For the first time in my life, I don’t feel like I’m working towards something else,” she says. “When someone asks me what I want to do in five years, I kind of just want to keep doing this.”

We asked Suzie some questions about her songwriting process and what it means to be a NewSong finalist. To purchase tickets for the Dec. 15 event at Isis Music Hall, visit our ticketing page. 

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

I took a pretty big step back from performing and music in general when my daughters were born a few years ago.  I don’t regret that for a minute — they’re only young and snuggly for a short time and I didn’t want to miss it. I wanted to be around as much as possible when they needed me most.  And I’ve been so damn tired. Over the last year or so, I’ve felt myself slowly emerging from the sleep-deprived fog. I’ve been writing more (actually writing a ton). Playing more. I went back in the studio for three glorious days and recorded my sixth studio album.

It was some of the songs from this album that I submitted to the NewSong contest.  I had to dig deeper than ever to write these songs; they are some of the most meaningful I’ve ever written, so it means so much that they resonated with the judges. I am looking forward to making new connections with new artists, planning new collaborations and having FUN.

 

What is your songwriting process like?

Song ideas are everywhere! The best ones for me pop up in every day life — while driving to work, running, putting my kids to bed — and I tend to jot them down in my phone. When I have a moment with my guitar, I start strumming and put the idea to music, and let the rest of the song evolve. I’ve been doing a lot more co-writing since moving to Nashville as well. It used to terrify me, but I’ve come to love it. Songwriting muses include Ron Sexsmith, Patty Griffin, Kacey Musgraves, Sarah Siskind, and Jason Isbell.

 

Listen to Suzie Brown on Spotify and Soundcloud
Watch Suzie Brown on YouTube.
Follow Suzie Brown on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

 

 

#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

 

NewSong Music and Arts Brookfield to present ‘Southern Accents’ concert series in New York City

Monday, June 4th, 2018

Free outdoor concert series honors Tom Petty’s legacy, features curated lineup of up-and-coming songwriters

New York, NY (May 31, 2018) — Arts Brookfield and NewSong Music are proud to present the New York City summer outdoor concert series ‘Southern Accents: New original music inspired by the songwriting legend Tom Petty.’ The series features eight, free outdoor lunchtime concerts taking place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, June 5-27 at two prime listening locations in Manhattan: One New York Plaza and Grace Plaza. The lineup features some of North America’s best up-and-coming acts playing original music inspired by the well-loved troubadour Tom Petty.

“NewSong is delighted to be partnering once again with Arts Brookfield to co-present and curate this summer’s ‘Southern Accents’ Series in New York City,” says NewSong music founder Gar Ragland. “The opportunity to invite this group of talented songwriters and performers to celebrate – through their own original material –  the enduring legacy of the late, great Tom Petty is something we’re honored and excited to help bring to life with our friends at Arts Brookfield.”

All of the performers featured in the ‘Southern Accents’ series are members of the NewSong artist community, and each musician will perform two shows: one at One New York Plaza in Manhattan’s financial district and the other at Grace Plaza, located steps from Bryant Park in midtown. These songwriters are a far cry from a Tom Petty cover band. Instead, all four acts share the common goal of celebrating the spirit of Tom Petty through original songwriting. Like Petty, musical stylings among the featured musicians draw from folk traditions, blues, rock and country.

All One New York Plaza shows take place on Tuesdays, 12:30-1:30 pm. All Grace Plaza shows take place on Wednesdays, 12:30-1:30 pm. See below for full schedule and lineup. Click show date for Facebook event. 

Beth Snapp — June 5 at One New York Plaza // June 6 at Grace Plaza

Beth Snapp (Kingsport, TN)

The music of Beth Snapp drifts across folk, bluegrass, pop, early R&B and jazz. Her new EP Don’t Apologize was recently recorded at Asheville’s Echo Mountain Recording Studios. Her band features some of eastern Tennessee’s most accomplished bluegrass and Americana players, who are joined by guest artists Dave Eggar (cello) and Cruz Contreras of the Black Lillies on the new recording. Bethsnapp.com

 

Andrew Scotchie & the River Rats — June 12 at One  New York Plaza // June 13 at Grace Plaza

Andrew Scotchie (Asheville, NC)

Andrew Scotchie performs most often with his band, Andrew Scotchie & the River Rats formed in Asheville NC as a street busking project in late 2011.  Revered for their high energy live shows, dynamic musicianship & Scotchie’s larger than life stage presence, the band has continued to craft their hard driving style of rock n roll and are dedicated to building their musical family. Consistent studio recordings, year round touring, earnest songwriting & sharing show bills with legends such as Sonny Landreth, Blind Boys of Alabama, Drivin N Cryin and Bettye Lavette has made Andrew Scotchie & the River Rats one of the industry’s fastest growing rock n roll bands. andrewscotchiemusic.com

Farewell Milwaukee — June 19 at One New York Plaza // June 20 at Grace Plaza

Farewell Milwaukee (Minneapolis, MN)

Mainstays of the Minneapolis music scene since 2008, Farewell Milwaukee 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. It is because of this, they have gathered accolades from local and national press, landed a song placement on major-network TV, opened for the Lumineers (among others), and are featured on compilations alongside Mumford & Sons, Adele and Amos Lee. farewellmilwaukee.com

 

Michaela Anne — June 26 at One New York Plaza // June 27 at Grace Plaza

Michaela Anne (Nashville, TN)

Upon releasing her 2014 album, Ease My Mind (Kingswood Records), singer-songwriter Michaela Anne garnered considerable acclaim for her introspective songwriting. The New York Times praised the “plain-spoken songs of romantic regret and small-town longing” and the Village Voice listed it among its Top 5 Country Albums of the year. Since then, however, this once-solitary diarist has transformed herself into a gregarious storyteller. Michaela Anne has discovered her inner extrovert. michaelaanne.com

About Arts Brookfield

Arts Brookfield presents exciting, world-class cultural experiences to thousands of people for free each year in both indoor and outdoor public spaces at Brookfield’s premier buildings in Denver, New York, Los Angeles, Houston, Toronto, Perth and Sydney. From concerts, theater and dance to film screenings and art exhibitions, Arts Brookfield brings public spaces to life through art. ArtsBrookfield.com

 

About NewSong Music

NewSong Music is an independent artist development and music production company headquartered at Asheville, NC’s Echo Mountain Recording Studios. 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 record label (NewSong Recordings), artist management services, concert production and the annual, international NewSong performance and songwriting competition. newsong-music.com

Meet Sanctuary Sessions performer Beth Snapp

Thursday, May 31st, 2018

Beth Snapp’s careful and sincere music drifts across genres, borrowing from folk, bluegrass, pop, early R&B and jazz. No matter what influences might drive her, all of her songs share the goal of good storytelling. Snapp will perform as part of the Sanctuary Sessions series Saturday, June 2nd at the Central United Methodist Church in downtown Asheville. Songwriter Wilder Adkins shares the bill.

Wilder Adkins and Beth Snapp will share the stage at the Central United Methodist Church in downtown Asheville June 2nd as part of NewSong Music’s Sanctuary Sessions series.

Snapp’s new EP, Don’t Apologize, was recently recorded at Asheville’s Echo Mountain Recording Studios with producer and NewSong Music founder Gar Ragland at the helm. “When I first stepped into Echo Mountain during the NewSong Songwriting competition, it was immediately clear this was a very special place,” says Snapp, who is a past competitor in the NewSong competition. She told herself that he next project would be recorded at the Asheville studio. “Luckily, I was able to make it happen, and recording there was no less magical,” she says. The EP will be released in August.

 

 

The Sanctuary Sessions are a benefit for Blue Ridge Public Radio, a cause that Snapp supports one hundred percent. “I think public radio’s role is just as important as independent and local music in our communities,” she says. “Both independent music and public radio offer diverse perspectives in art that one may lose in mainstream formats. They both support local arts and businesses, which generate community awareness and promote pouring back into the community.”

Of her performance June 2nd, Snapp says, “I am definitely excited to share the stage with Wilder Adkins.We may have a little surprise in store.”

WHAT: Sanctuary Sessions: Beth Snapp and Wilder Adkins

WHERE: Central United Methodist Church, 27 Church Street, downtown Asheville

WHEN: Saturday June 2; Doors: 7 / Show: 7:30

TICKETS: $15 advance / $20 day of show; advance tickets available theorangepeel.net  

 

Meet Sanctuary Sessions performer Wilder Adkins

Tuesday, May 29th, 2018

Wilder Adkins and Beth Snapp will share the stage at the Central United Methodist Church in downtown Asheville June 2nd.

 

Wilder Adkins’s songwriting nods to the earthy poetry of Wendell Berry and Mary Oliver as well as folk giants Richard Thompson and Bruce Cockburn. His dry wit and deft guitar playing shine through in his work, which explores thematic territories ranging from love and hope to pirate songs. The Birmingham, Alabama-based musician and 2016 Grand Prize Winner of the NewSong Music Songwriting Competition will perform as part of the Sanctuary Sessions series on Saturday, June 2nd at the Central United Methodist Church in downtown Asheville. Songwriter Beth Snapp shares the bill. 

 

The Sanctuary Sessions are a benefit for Blue Ridge Public Radio, with performances taking place the first three Saturday evenings in June (June 2, 9, 16). Those attending the Sanctuary Sessions may be as taken by the artists as they are by the beautiful and acoustically stunning venue. “The venue, Central United Methodist Church, sounds lovely,” says Adkins. “I have heard that Methodists only sprinkle for baptism instead of dunking. That sounds good to me because I don’t want to have to change clothes.”

Adkins is one of many past NewSong contestants sharing their tunes at the Sanctuary Sessions series. “Being part of the NewSong family has given me the chance to play for a much wider audience at some of the nations best venues,” says Adkins. “NewSong has a great network of artists, as well, who are great for networking with.”

Adkins says he is always working on something new. He will put out a Springsteen cover this summer and is looking forward to finishing up a new album this fall. “Also on the horizon,” says the songwriter, “a lullaby album and a collection of pirate songs.” And why not? We will gladly listen to whatever this clever and heartfelt songwriter from Alabama puts out.

WHAT: Sanctuary Sessions: Wilder Adkins and Beth Snapp

WHERE: Central United Methodist Church, 27 Church Street, downtown Asheville

WHEN: Saturday June 2; Doors: 7 / Show: 7:30

TICKETS: $15 advance / $20 day of show; advance tickets available theorangepeel.net  

NewSong partners with the Kennedy Center to present grand prize winner Crys Matthews this summer.

Thursday, May 17th, 2018

2017 NewSong Music Competition grand prize winner Crys Matthews, performing at New York’s Lincoln Center in last year’s finals.

 

NewSong Music is excited 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 this summer

 

The performance is Wednesday, August 22 at 6:00 PM EDT, on the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage. 

This performance is featured as part of the Kennedy Center’s free daily performance series on its Millennium Stage in the Grand Foyer, and will be live-streamed on the Kennedy Center’s YouTube channel.

www.kennedy-center.org/video/upcoming
www.youtube.com/user/TheKennedyCenter

RSVP on Facebook

Submit to the 2018 NewSong Music Competition