Archive for the ‘NewSong Music’ Category

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SUBMISSIONS ARE OPEN FOR THE 2022 NEWSONG MUSIC PERFORMANCE & SONGWRITING COMPETITION

Thursday, June 16th, 2022

NewSong Music is now accepting original song entries for its 21st annual performance and songwriting competition, presented by Citizen Vinyl. The program’s curated showcases have been a fixture in the national music scene since 2001. The competition finals, formerly staged in New York City at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, relocated to Asheville, N.C. in 2017.

2018 NewSong grand prize winner Mel Bryant recording at Echo Mountain Studios

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. A panel of music industry judges will select one grand prize winner to  receive a fully funded six-song EP, recorded and mixed at Citizen Studios, plus 300 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.

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

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. Finalists will be notified via email and announced through NewSong Music’s website and social media channels on Monday, October 18, 2022.

Mark your calendar for the 2022 NewSong Music Performance & Songwriting Competition finale, which will take place on Saturday, December 2, 2022 at Citizen Vinyl in downtown Asheville.

NewSong Music is an independent music organization that aims to build a supportive community of performers and songwriters across various genres of music and skill levels, while identifying truly exceptional artists and introducing their music to a broader international audience.

Citizen Vinyl was established by NewSong Music director and co-founder Gar Ragland. It opened October 2020 as Asheville’s first vinyl manufacturing facility. Citizen Vinyl boasts a variety of amenities including a full-scale recording studio, a vinyl-themed craft cocktail and coffee lounge, a record and art store, and more.

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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Crys Matthews’ “Changemakers” wins song of the year at 2022 International Folk Music Awards

Saturday, May 21st, 2022

Crys Matthews’ “Changemakers” garnered song of the year honors at the 2022 International Folk Music Awards, presented Wednesday, May 18. Wednesday was also the opening night of the 34th annual Folk Alliance International Conference in Kansas City, Mo.

Matthews is the 2017 NewSong Singer-Songwriter Competition Grand Prize winner. As part of her prize, she recorded the six-track album These Old Hands at Echo Mountain Recording Studios in Asheville, NC. It was produced by Gar Ragland of NewSong Recordings and released on Friday, October 11, 2019 in celebration of National Coming Out Day. The date was significant for the queer activist artist whose songwriting frequently draws on themes of social justice and the myriad expressions of love. 

Since winning the International NewSong Competition, Matthews has performed at the Sundance Film Festival, the Kerrville Folk Festival, and The Kennedy Center. In her TedTalk “Sing, Don’t Shout—An Alternative Approach,” Matthews spoke about being raised in a small town in southeastern North Carolina by an A.M.E. preacher, and how she witnessed the power of music from an early age.

Changemakers is Matthew’s latest effort. The record delves into heavy topics such as immigration, the opioid crisis, Black Lives Matter, and gun safety. But it’s also about hope: “As a social-justice songwriter, it is my duty to keep breathing that hope and encouragement into the people who listen to my music,” Matthews says on her website.

Matthews performed on the 2022 International Folk Music Awards show, as did fellow nominees John Smith and Diana Jones (also a former NewSong Recordings artist). Allison Russell was awarded artist of the year and album of the year. Russell and Matthews were both featured last year on the Adobe And Teardrops Podcast “Juneteenth Pride w/ Terry Blade.”

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Sadie Gufstason-Zook: Winner of 2022 NewSong LEAF Showcase

Tuesday, May 17th, 2022

NEWSONG MUSIC ANNOUNCES WINNER OF 8TH ANNUAL
LEAF FESTIVAL SINGER-SONGWRITER SHOWCASE & COMPETITION

Sadie Gustafson-Zook wins this year’s LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition and Showcase.

At the event, held Saturday, May 14, at the LEAF Retreat, Gustafson-Zook’s expansive vocal range, unique songwriting, and intricately lilting melodies were on all display. Her songs included the charmingly relatable “Maybe I Don’t Know,” the mesmerizing love song “Lean in More,” and the crowd-pleasing sing-along, “Your Love Makes Me Smile.”

“Performing at the contest was definitely a highlight of the weekend for me,” says Gustafson-Zook. “There was a good crowd assembled for the showcase and they were very attentive and receptive to the music (which always makes performing easier). It felt really nice to be recognized for my songwriting and I’m excited to continue my relationship with the LEAF and NewSong communities!”
 

The singer-songwriter, who is currently based in Nashville, Tennessee, earned a spot as one of only eight finalists at the annual International NewSong Competition, held in Asheville in the fall. Gustafson-Zook will also return to the Fall LEAF Festival, held October 20-23, 2022, as a featured, paid performer.

Award-round runners up:

Participating finalists:

Judges for the event, culled from Asheville, N.C.’s music industry professionals, included Coppa Stone, Jenny Fares, and Alli Marshall.

“This was a joyful celebration of creative community,” says Marshall. “It was incredibly difficult to choose a winner from this varied and talented collection of artists.”

Genres ran the gamut from indie-pop and soulful folk-rock to Americana and lyrical hip-hop. Seven finalists and their accompanists traveled from as far as Los Angeles to share their songs with a full house of attentive listeners.

“I think the real winners were the audience members who were treated to such a stellar concert,” Marshall continues. “And the musicians themselves quickly bonded, cheering each other on. This didn’t feel like a contest — it felt like family.”

The LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition 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.

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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Alli Marshall: LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition Judge

Tuesday, May 10th, 2022

NewSong Music is readying for this year’s LEAF 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.

Judges for the event include artists and music industry professionals in Asheville, N.C.

After two decades as lead writer and arts section editor of altweekly Mountain Xpress Alli Marshall launched her own enterprise, AM/FM Broadcast, which offers multimedia support to musicians, visual and performing artists, and small businesses. Alli is an award-winning creative writer and journalist. Her 2015 novel How to Talk to Rockstars was a Thomas Wolfe Award nominee. Alli has participated in arts and creative thought panels for Southeast Regional Folk Alliance, Connect Beyond Festival, and The LEAF.

Alli will also emcee this year’s LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition and Showcase.

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Jenny Fares: LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition Judge

Sunday, May 8th, 2022

NewSong Music is readying for this year’s LEAF 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.

Judges for the event include artists and music industry professionals in Asheville, N.C.

A creative force to be reckoned with, Jenny Fares has been an active player in Asheville’s artistic community for nearly thirteen years. Jenny is a mover, shaker, and all around crowd rouser. Her collaborations are a walloping cacophony of sound and fury, art and fun. She thrives in creative, energetic circles – and it shows. She was featured on the cover of Asheville Citizen-Times for creating a “legacy of innovative music programming” for the city. She founded and ran Music Video Asheville for 5 years and the Brown Bag Songwriting Competition. As the former lead singer of Asheville folk favorite, Jen and the Juice, she headlined area festivals including LAAFF and Downtown After Five, and the band’s record Meet the Hooligans of Bohemia was named among the top 10 regional albums of 2006 by 88.7 WNCW.

 

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Coppa Stone: LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition Judge

Friday, May 6th, 2022

The May 14 competition, held at the LEAF Retreat, will be judged by a panel of Asheville-based music industry professionals.

Originally from Kingston, Jamaica, Coppa Stone is a father, artist, writer, educator, scholar, and a self-proclaimed day dreamer. His earliest musical memories are of Roots, Rocksteady and Dub, mixed with Reggae and a touch of Rock, R&B and Soul. Upon relocating to the U.S., his love for music continued to grow alongside this thing called Hip-Hop. During the day, he plays the role of a mild-mannered Education Director at a nonprofit, but at night, he changes into his alter ego, a Hip-Hop & Reggae music artist.  

Here’s a bit more about Coppa, in his own words, from an Islandstagemag.com interview:

I am definitely a product of my parents creativity. My mother sings, and my father plays both the piano and organ, so it could only be natural that music and art would be an active part of my life.

[My inspirations range] from the Beatles to the Maytals, from Peter Tosh to Bob Marley to Nina Simone, from Colin Channer to Edwidge Danticat to Jack Kerouac, from Kamau Brathwaite to Saul Williams, from Roots Manuva to Mos Def to Tanya Stephens to Protoje to Lauryn Hill and straight back to The Roots…the list goes on and on.

Growing up in school, my teachers would always encourage me to pursue a career in writing, because they believed I was a naturally good writer. I started out writing short stories, then gradually poetry, which then later developed into lyrics and rhymes. It wasn’t until I went away to college that I was brave enough to actually share these rhymes and lyrics with others. So, my musical journey as an artist began in Gainesville, Florida, where I was a member of an underground collective called 101 Vibes.

Stay tuned for more about Coppa, including a music video.

 

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Q+A with LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition Finalist Philip Bowen

Thursday, May 5th, 2022

Born and raised in West Virginia, Philip Bowen’s uplifting sound is heavily inspired by his Appalachian roots. The dynamic singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist began playing fiddle at the age of four, and his virtuoso skills have become quite popular on TikTok, with over 3 million likes and 540k followers on the platform alone. His popularity on the app even propelled him to win TikTok’s Gamers Greatest Talent competition, earning $25k and beating out thousands of other competitors.

Bowen has been writing songs since he was a teenager, but never thought it would be possible to have a career in music. After earning an MBA from the University of Tampa, a friend encouraged him to create an account on TikTok and his fiddle covers and original songs took on a life of their own.

He continues to release his original music, spreading his message of positivity to an audience that has been growing rapidly. With guest spots on Ross Golan’s “And the demo is…”  and praise from Yahoo, PopMatters, and Atwood Magazine, it’s easy to see why the Nashville Songwriters Association International dubbed this inspirational artist “one to watch.”

NewSong Music: What inspired you to enter the NewSong Contest?

Philip: I originally heard about it a few years ago, and was immediately intrigued and wanted to submit my songs. 

What was your introduction to music?

 
I’ve been playing the fiddle since I was 4 years old, and grew up going to festivals like the Vandalia Gathering in Charleston, WV. Music is a huge part of Appalachian Culture and was always in the house. 

What is the first song you wrote that you were proud of, and why?

 
I wrote this song called, “Almost Heaven” about how much I was missing home during my college years. I played it all around town at coffee shops and beach restaurants (I went to school in Clearwater, FL) and it was the first time I saw audience members with happy tears at something I’d written. 
 
What instrument do you play, and why?
 
I play the fiddle/violin, guitar, keys, and a little mandolin. Fiddle is my first love, but guitar has a special place in my heart because it is my main writing instrument.
How did the pandemic impact you as an artist (for better or worse)?
 
Well, it honestly provided a crazy amount of growth for me in my music performing and songwriting. I made a commitment going into 2020 that I would do something every single day towards my music and make a real go of it. Of course, COVID hit, but I wanted to keep to my commitment and so I started finding ways to do music online and it changed my life. I’ve met and collaborated with so many people, and it’s been such a joy to see things grow. 
 

Does the place where you grew up inspire you as an artist? If so, in what way?

 
Oh yes. My West Virginia/Appalachia home inspires almost everything I do. WV is such a special place, and it’s given me so much inspiration in my writing. The people are special and so is the scenery, and they inspire me every time I write a song. 

In what ways does the craft of songwriting still surprise you?

 
I’m always amazed at how a song can come together, sometimes seemingly out of thin air or when you are at your most frustrated with the songwriting process. One of the things I love most about songwriting, is the challenge of telling a deep, emotional story, but having to do it with relatively few words. I love the marriage of melody and prose. It’s terrifying at times, but it’s so addictive. 

What are some of your creative goals for this year?

 
I want to write my best songs yet. I also want to do more collaborating and co-writing with other songwriters. I want to inspire as many folks as I can. 

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Q+A with LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition Finalist Kelly Hoppenjans

Wednesday, May 4th, 2022
Nashville singer-songwriter Kelly Hoppenjans creates empowering rock, combining the spirit of riot grrrl tinged with folky introspection. The follow-up to her energetic 2019 full-length debut, OK, I Feel Better Now, her new EP Can’t Get the Dark Out dives deep into relationships, fate, and breaking free of toxic patterns. The EP is inspired in part by Hoppenjans’ journey of finding love during the pandemic: navigating online dating, confinement, and impending life changes to sustain that love.
 

NewSong Music: What was your introduction to music?

Kelly: I asked for a guitar for Christmas when I was about 10 years old, because I thought girls who played guitar were cool and I wanted to be just like Jewel — I’m a ’90s kid through and through! 

What is the first song you wrote that you were proud of, and why?

 
I wrote some pretty cringey songs when I was a kid, but I was still proud of them at the time! As an adult, the first song I was really truly proud of was called “Bird in a Tree,” and it’s on the first EP I ever released. I wrote it to remind myself why I make music, and that’s because it makes me happy, not because I want the accolades or the glory. I used to sing it at bar gigs when I was background noise, to make myself feel better about the fact that nobody was listening. And I still really love that song, years later! 

What are some of your creative goals for this year?
 
I’ve been working on writing poetry as a new creative outlet for the past few years, and I’m hoping to publish a collection of poems this year! Other than that, just writing songs and trying to stay balanced 🙂 
 

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Q+A with LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition Finalist Kristian Phillip Valentino

Tuesday, May 3rd, 2022

Kristian Phillip Valentino is a solo acoustic, singer-songwriter born and raised in the Chicago suburbs and now residing in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, North Carolina. His musical palette falls between the lines of indie folk, singer-songwriter and Americana. Fans of Gregory Alan Isakov, Iron and Wine and Jason Isbell will feel comfortable here. His lyrics are a healing balm from the daily struggle as they wash over you with a deep reverence. 

After the passing of his father, ending up homeless and being broken up with all within one month, Kristian began writing songs in the summer of 2010, as a way to start processing all he’d been through and begin the healing process.

NewSong Music: What inspired you to enter the NewSong Contest?

KVP: I’ve entered the past few years and I’ve heard great things from prior winners. The exposure alone is worth the submission. 

How did the pandemic impact you as an artist (for better or worse)?

I took the pandemic as a sign to work on personal growth and my mental health overall. I believe because I did this my songwriting and personal life have greatly improved. Some of my best songs have come from this time.

In what ways does the craft of songwriting still surprise you?

I find myself being surprised all the time. Especially when a melody pops up over chords I’ve been playing over and over through the years. It’s like the songs find me first and I just follow along to the finish line.

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Q+A with LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition Finalist Stephen Sylvester

Sunday, May 1st, 2022

Who’s over six feet tall, an old soul, and definitely doesn’t have a “V” in his first name? You guessed it—Stephen Sylvester, a down-to-earth country artist whose unique and powerful voice is reminiscent of the great R&B singers of the ’60s. He’s living just like his mama taught him, a true-to-his-roots force to be reckoned with. You’ll want to remember this true Southern gentleman: check out Stephen Sylvester’s new album Let Me Be Strong on Spotify or Apple Music.

NewSong Music: What was your intro to music?

My dad was a prolific Christian singer-songwriter in the ’90s, so music was a part of our home from my earliest memories. That plus all the Disney movies meant young Stephen sang A LOT, but my musical awakening happened because of Stevie Wonder, oddly enough. I distinctly remember hearing him sing when I was about 7 or 8 and thinking “I’m going to do that one day.”
 
What is the first song you wrote that you were proud of, and why?
 
That would have to be “I Promise You,” which is the song I submitted for the contest (how poetic is that?!). It’s one of my oldest songs that I’m not embarrassed to play, and it was the one that caused my first experience moving an audience emotionally. I played it for folks I didn’t know in a wine bar years ago, closed my eyes for most of it, and when I opened them everyone was crying. After that moment I figured I didn’t have much choice but to be a songwriter.

 
What instrument do you play, and why?
 
Full disclosure – I started playing acoustic guitar at 16 specifically to get a girlfriend. It didn’t work, but I fell in love with music instead! My first instrument was actually drums, and that’s still my favorite one to play, but it’s hard to be a solo performer (or get a girlfriend) as a drummer.
 
How did the pandemic impact you as a performer, for better or worse?
 
Ooof, yeah the pandemic was rough for me as I know it was for all performers and gig workers. I had about four solid months of no gigs whatsoever, and then opportunities to play started coming back slowly. Today, two years later, I’m only just now back to what I would call a regular performing schedule. The benefit, though, was that all the extra time meant way more opportunities to write, so I write and virtually co-wrote songs like a madman! And I can credit the pandemic for helping me become a much better writer if we’re talking silver linings.
 
Does the place you grew up inspire you as an artist? If so, in what way?
 
Yes absolutely, I think Coastal Alabama is about as inspiring of a place to grow up in as a kid could ask for. Scenery-wise it’s full of gorgeous beaches and wildlife, which have been a great source of visual inspiration for me. It’s also still a developing area of the country, so if as a kid I didn’t experience hardship directly it was right there in front of me. And drawing from those stories has been just as powerful of a songwriting inspiration for me as my own experiences, if not more.
 
In what ways does the craft of songwriting still surprise you?
 
The magic!! I’m the type of person who wants to over-analyze and really dig into how things work so that I can improve. But songwriting really doesn’t work like that. You get better by practicing and try new methods and know how rhyme and meter work, but there’s still something unquantifiable about writing a song. Which, for me, can be frustrating, but it’s also incredible to experience in real time – songwriting is literally magical.
 
What are some of your creative goals for this year?
 
Well my goal every year is to get George Strait to record a song I wrote for him (haha) but I’m also actively playing more regional shows now that the world seems to be opening up for music again. My manager and I are pitching songs to publishing companies trying to get me a deal, and I’m still writing and performing all the time. My unrealistic goal is to quit my day job and do full-time music by the end of the year, and who knows? I’ve been pleasantly surprised too often to think it’s impossible!
 

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