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. Finalists have been announced, and the full list can be found on our blog. Purchase tickets here.
1. Robby Hecht — Support via Patreon
Nashville-based songwriter Robby Hecht, a 2008 NewSong finalist, is sharing two unreleased songs per month via his Patreon page. From Hecht: “I’ll be releasing a new song [November 25] as well as an extra bonus video for my birthday week that will be free for all members. If you’re a fan of my music, it really is a great way to get your ears on new songs, most of which I’ll probably never end up having on a record.”
“I believe that good songs have the power to take us to a place where we can celebrate our common truths and feel less isolated and alone.” – Robby Hecht
Support Robby Hecht via Patreon here.
Listen to Robby Hechy on Spotify here.
2. Lora Faye — Listen: “Waltzes”
This week, we’re throwing it way back to Lora Faye’s Waltzes, a 5-song EP recorded with NewSong Recordings in 2013.
The Brooklyn native took first place at The Mountain Stage NewSong Contest in 2012. These days, Lora-Faye Åshuvud is now the award-winning composer, singer, and instrumentalist behind the band Arthur Moon. Lora-Faye writes many of her lyrics using cut up newspaper and magazine articles, and describes the process of composing the band’s experimental pop arrangements as similarly collage-like. Lora-Faye also curates Soundfly’s “Incorrect Music,” an online interview series with musicians.
Listen to Waltzes on Spotify and Bandcamp. Listen to Arthur Moon on Spotify.
3. David Berkeley — Listen: “The Faded Red and Blue”
David Berkeley, a 2010 NewSong finalist, released a new album this month: The Faded Red and Blue. Santa Fe-based songwriter and author David Berkeley writes songs capable of both breaking and mending the heart. The San Francisco Chroniclecalls him a “musical poet,” and the New York Times praises his “lustrous, melancholy voice with shades of Tim Buckley and Nick Drake.”
Listen to The Faded Red and Blue on Spotify.
4. brie Capone — Performs at New Belgium Brewery in Asheville, NC Dec. 7
2017 NewSong finalist Brie Capone will perform at New Belgium Brewery in her hometown of Asheville, NC for “Fat Tire Friday” on Dec. 7. Capone is a singer/songwriter and performer with belting female lead vocals and heartfelt, introspective lyricism. Brie’s 2018 EP ‘If I Let You In’ was recorded at Echo Mountain Studios. After returning from a nation wide run this past April and California tour in July, Brie has continued to promote her record with a run of shows in the Southeast.
Find event details for the Dec. 7 show here.
Listen to Brie Capone on Spotify here.
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. Purchase tickets here.
