Archive for the ‘NewSong Music’ Category

No Depression cites ‘Rough and Ready Heart’ as one of the “Best Roots Music Albums of 2018 (So Far)”

Wednesday, August 1st, 2018

Blue Yonder’s newest release ‘Rough and Ready Heart’ (NewSong Recordings) was recently recognized by No Depression magazine as one of the “Best Roots Music Albums of 2018 (So Far).”

The twelve song album was recorded at Echo Mountain Recording Studios in Asheville, NC, and was produced and mixed by Gar Ragland.

In addition, the album has recently entered the Top 30 of the Folk DJ chart. 

To order the album on Compact Disc, digital download or Limited Edition 180g Collector’s Vinyl, visit newsongrecordings.com

Read the article on No Depression.

To learn more about the band Blue Yonder, visit blueyonderhonkytonk.com.

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

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.

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  

 

#InstagramTakeover with Middle Child (Roxbury, MA)

Wednesday, November 16th, 2016

Follow 2016 NewSong Music finalists Middle Child as they take over the official NewSong Music Instagram account.

 

 

So stoked to be on the Instagram today – middlechild

A photo posted by NewSong Music (@newsongmusic) on

 

 

Recording a banger at 1867 Studios in Boston MA

A photo posted by NewSong Music (@newsongmusic) on

 

A little clip of us playing for our new friends at the Franklin Park Zoo – #instagramtakeover #newsongmusic #middlechild #middlechildtakeover #newsong

A video posted by NewSong Music (@newsongmusic) on

 

Das flute

A video posted by NewSong Music (@newsongmusic) on

Introducing The 2016 NewSong Music Finalists!

Tuesday, November 8th, 2016

2016-FINALISTS-SS-BLUE-TXT

Meet The 2016 NewSong Music Finalists

We have spent the last few weeks carefully listening to all of this year’s song submissions, to identify the remaining finalists for the 15th Annual NewSong Music Performance & Songwriting Competition. This year’s program attracted singers and songwriters from all over the world, who represent a broad array of genres and styles. 

We are honored by the opportunity to listen to so much new original music, and we’re once again reminded of and humbled by the breadth and depth of contemporary songcraft. 

And we are proud to announce and recognize these outstanding artists below, who will be joining us as finalists on Saturday, December 10 in New York City at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts to showcase, network and compete for top honors:

AndreaSilvaMarketJunction

MiddleChild

EarlyBird

TheYoungNovelists

WilderAdkins

TheVaughns

TheSmallGlories

JomoPossumPosse

JShogrenShanghaid

BradCole

AshleyMcMillen

 

Three Questions with ReverbNation Finalist: Andrea Silva

Friday, October 21st, 2016

AndreaSilva

Indie singer-songwriter Andrea Silva was selected from over 5,000 ReverbNation artist entries to be our ReverbNation finalist for this year’s NewSong Music Competition.

The standout performer hails from Bogotá, Colombia and moved to Los Angeles four years ago. The move to the states would unearth Silva’s passion for songwriting. It was on the west coast where she began to develop her spellbinding sound, which is ethereal yet grounded in quality songwriting.

With a mere two years of writing and performing under her belt, we can’t wait to see where this 22-year-old musician will go next in her blossoming career.

To listen to Silva’s music, visit her ReverbNation page, and keep an eye out for her first EP, which will be released this winter.

How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it before?

The bone structure [of my music] is folk or singer/songwriter, but it also has some ethereal, indie-rock elements to it.

I think it’s very important to be able to strip down a song and sing with just guitar, where the song makes sense and can stand on its own. Before I started writing by myself, I was collaborating with a producer and writing for electronic tracks, but it didn’t make much sense to me. That is why I decided to learn how to write by myself with the guitar and build a strong song that I could then add sonic elements to and make it even better.

I’ve only released a few acoustic versions of some my songs while I work on my EP, which will come out this winter.

Where do you find inspiration for your songwriting?

My songwriting is inspired by whatever I’m feeling or thinking, whoever is in my life, and whatever that person is making me feel or think. Sometimes I write from someone else’s perspective and make up a scenario.

What led you to pursue being a musician?

I always liked music. I wanted to move away from home and start fresh, and I decided to move to Los Angeles. It all made sense a little less than two years ago when I started writing and playing shows. Now I see that I couldn’t be happy doing anything else other than music.

Today Is THE Last Day to Submit Your Music

Monday, October 17th, 2016

FinalDay

GOT SONGS? TODAY IS THE FINAL DAY TO SUBMIT YOUR MUSIC!

The deadline to enter the 15th Annual NewSong Music Performance & Songwriting Competition is TONIGHT (Monday, October 17) at 11:59pm PST. Ten finalists will be selected to compete at the prestigious Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City this December for the grand prize, which includes featured prize performances in 2017 back at Lincoln Center AND the ASCAP Music Café at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. The winner will also receive a multi-day professional recording session at the award winning Echo Mountain Recording Studios in Asheville, NC.

As an entrant in the 2016 competition, you are also eligible for exclusive discounts on future recording sessions at Echo Mountain Recording Studios, and you and your music will be considered for additional recording and performance opportunities across the U.S.


SponsorBanner

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.

https://youtu.be/UHX_z7ESQKo

Only 16 Days Left To Enter The NewSong Music Competition

Friday, September 30th, 2016

 

 

16DaysLeft-NewSongMusic.jpg

SHOWCASE YOUR MUSIC TO THE WORLD TODAY!

Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your music into the 2016 NewSong Music Performance & Songwriting Competition. The final deadline for this year’s competition is October 15, 2016 at 11:59pm EST. 


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

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

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. 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 and the BBC’s Bob Harris. READ MORE

Watch Videos From Some Of The 2016 NewSong Finalists

Screen Shot 2016-09-29 at 12.20.21 PM