The annual LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition, now in its ninth year, will take place at Spring LEAF Retreat, in Black Mountain, N.C., on Saturday, May 13, 2023. Eight singer-songwriters have been selected from across the country to showcase, compete, and network at the competition.
LYLE DE VITRY (Asheville, NC)
Asheville based singer-songwriter Lyle de Vitry‘s thoughtfully crafted melodies and poetry are imaginative, visually arresting and thought provoking as he explores themes of nature, love, memory and the temporal. Lyle’s creative expression and inspiration are derived from a wide range of sonic spaces. A life of classical training, curious exploration of jazz, and a passion for traditional Appalachian music have each shaped his style into something fresh and innovative.
NewSong Music: How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it before?
I didn’t start buying vinyl until quite recently, actually. I don’t own many, but the first one I bought was Abysskiss by Adrianne Lenker. She’s one of my favorite songwriters and guitar players. That album is a masterpiece.
What is one influence on your music that might surprise us?
I’m an old-time musician, and although most of my music may not sound inspired by Appalachian old-time, I’ve noticed more and more of my songs have a similar trance quality to some of the fiddle tunes I love to play.
What projects are you currently working on?
I’ve been working on my debut album titled Door Within A Dream for the past year and a half. We’ve reached the mastering stage, so it’s nearly done! I also have a backlog of instrumental guitar music and a few piano compositions that I hope to record this spring/summer with some friends in Asheville. Additionally, I’ve been experimenting with writing choral music and arranging strings.
The annual LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition, now in its ninth year, will take place at Spring LEAF Retreat, in Black Mountain, N.C., on Saturday, May 13, 2023. Eight singer-songwriters have been selected from across the country to showcase, compete, and network at the competition.
KATE PRASCHER (Highland, NY)
Kate Prascher is a Tennessee-born, Hudson Valley-based singer and multi-intrumentalist who writes evocative original songs with an “intangible vintage feel” – Ink 19
NewSong Music: How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it before?
Kate Prascher: Kate Prascher’s songs are invisible and sometimes tender, by turns playful and heart-piercing. Audiences will hear Kate’s “delicate and expressive singing” – Ink 19 and experience an evocative mix of Americana, bluegrass and folk.
What is the first album you bought, and why?
As a preteen, I was up late one summer night and saw Iris Dement perform “My Life” on Conan O’Brien’s show. It affected me deeply and I was driven to Borders in the next few days to buy the album.
What is one influence on your music that might surprise us?
I really love the Cranberries! Like most folks, especially in these hyper-connected days, I listen to a little of everything.
What projects are you currently working on?
I am almost finished with my first full length solo album. Started back in October 2022 and excited to bring that project into the world.
The annual LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition, now in its ninth year, will take place at Spring LEAF Retreat, in Black Mountain, N.C., on Saturday, May 13, 2023. Eight singer-songwriters have been selected from across the country to showcase, compete, and network at the competition.
MAISCÉU (Lenoir, NC)
MaisCéu is the brainchild of Jimmie Griffith, a musician who hails from the mountains of Minas Gerais, Brazil. His music is a fusion of American and Brazilian musical traditions, reflecting his upbringing steeped in both cultures.
Inspired by the Blue Ridge mountains and the “Mares e Morros” of Minas Gerais, MaisCeu’s unique sound, featuring heartfelt Portuguese lyrics, is a reflection of his deep love for the outdoors and his passion for bending music genres. With an authentic and soulful approach to his craft, MaisCeu’s music speaks to the heart and soul of his listeners, drawing inspiration from the natural beauty of his childhood home and the rich musical traditions that have shaped him.
NewSong Music: How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it before?
Jimmie Griffith: The music itself borrows heavily from the music from my home state of Minas Gerais, Brazil (Clube da Esquina). The guitar harmonies, vocal melodies, and lyrics are very heartfelt and evokes a feeling akin to sunshine right after a rainstorm.
What is the first album you bought, and why?
Dori Caymmi — Tome Conta de Meu Filho. This album was the soundtrack for a documentary on Dorival Caymmi who I was obsessed with in my early teens. Dorival was a great songwriter and storyteller who told stories about the lives of the fishermen and the beautiful state of Bahia, Brazil. He was way ahead of his time musically and heavily inspired musicians from the Bossa Nova era and beyond.
What is one influence on your music that might surprise us?
Jamiroquai, the first three albums are still in heavy rotation at my house.
What projects are you currently working on?
I am looking for collaborators! My dream project would be to play with musicians that are well versed in old-time music but also other genres in order to seamlessly weave and blend NC (North Carolina) with MG (Minas Gerais, Brazil).
The annual LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition, now in its ninth year, will take place at Spring LEAF Retreat, in Black Mountain, N.C., on Saturday, May 13, 2023. Eight singer-songwriters have been selected from across the country to showcase, compete, and network at the competition.
JESS CLEMONS (The Dalles, Oregon)
NewSong: How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it before?
Jess: Folk/Americana with country and jazz influences. Norah Jones meets Brandi Carlile with a little Bonnie Raitt mixed in for good measure.
What is the first album you bought, and why?
Rusted Root — 1998 self-titled album. I was in eighth grade and their first album was hugely popular amongst my older sisters and their friends. It felt more lively and exotic than the James Taylor and John Prine and Tracy Chapman that were often spinning on my family’s record or CD player. Great singalong songs that didn’t always make much sense!
What is one influence on your music that might surprise us?
I am getting back into playing piano — which was my primary instrument from when I was a small child through college. I had the same jazz piano teacher from when I was five through high school — and he instilled groove and feel into my playing more than I realized until recently.
What projects are you currently working on?
This past year, a perfect four-piece band fell into my lap just when I was needing some musical inspiration, and we have just recorded a four-song EP to be released this summer.
The annual LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition, now in its ninth year, will take place at Spring LEAF Retreat, in Black Mountain, N.C., on Saturday, May 13, 2023. Eight singer-songwriters have been selected from across the country to showcase, compete, and network at the competition.
JOSHUA BATENHORST, AKA CAPT. JOSH (Asheville, NC)
NewSong: How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it before?
Josh: You can hear the places I’ve lived in it. The High Plains, Austin, Western North Carolina — so a lot of country, a little blues, gospel, and a little jam. The constellation that I navigate by has folks in it like Jerry Jeff Walker, Robert Earl Keen, Guy Clark, John Prine, Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, Amanda Anne Platt, Bob Weir, Robert Hunter, Susan Tedeschi.
What is the first album you bought, and why?
So, I’m pretty sure I begged my mom to buy me the Air Supply album, back before I was even in kindergarten. I’m just going to let that speak for itself.
As for actually spending my own money on something, that would be a double purchase. I bought Michael Jackson’s Bad at full price, and Bruce Springsteen’s Welcome to Asbury Park, New Jersey at the same time from the dollar bin because I think I had $15 to spend when I got my first tape player. I think I listened to Bad quite a bit, and didn’t quite get Welcome to Asbury Park until I was a little older. I did like it enough to make my second purchase Tunnel of Love, which I wore out.
What is one influence on your music that might surprise us?
Maybe the Indigo Girls? I love harmonies and they’re killer songwriters, but I’m also kind of a dude — played football, have a big beard and a belly.
What projects are you currently working on?
Right now most of my creative energy is going into getting some traction with the new band — the Acoustic Light Brigade (ALB) — is what we’re calling it. It’s a four-piece right now and we’re just a baby band but we live all over the map — Atlanta, Asheville, Athens — so rehearsals have to be very strategic and timely. As a bit of content building, we’ve spent April doing “ALB Undercover” in which we are throwing some of our favorite cover tunes up on YouTube — one each day this month. I also run a touring theatre company for young audiences, Bright Star Touring Theatre, and that takes most of my day-job time and attention.
NewSong Music announced the eight finalists who will perform at this year’s LEAF Songwriter Competition.
The event is a collaborative effort between NewSong Music and LEAF Global 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 LEAF Retreat, on Saturday, May 13, 6:30-9:30 p.m. in Eden Hall.
This year’s finalists for the LEAF competition are: Corrie Lynn Green (Early Bird Finalist), a country-tinged folksinger from Port republic, Va.; Melodic, emotive, and punk-informed The Accidentals, who formed in Michigan by are now based in Nashville; singer and multi-instrumentalist Kate Prascher, from Highland, N.Y., who is best known for her evocative songwriting; singer-songwriter Josh Batenhorst — aka Captain Josh — from Asheville, N.C.; Wellesley, Mass.-based songwriter Maggie Monaghan; MaisCeu, from Lenoir, N.C. whose music is inspired by Brazil and the Blue Ridge Mountains; singer-songwriter Jess Clemons from Portland, Ore.; and Lyle de Vitry from Asheville, N.C., who crafts thoughtful melodies and poetry.
The winner of the LEAF Songwriter Competition, selected from a panel of music industry judges, will earn a spot as one of only eight finalists at the annual International NewSong Competition, held in Asheville in the fall. The winner will also return to the LEAF Festival, held October 19-22, 2023, as a featured, paid performer.
The LEAF Songwriter Competition is always a memorable experience where songs are shared, friendships are forged, and great music finds a welcome and supportive audience. It’s worth noting that the event is not intended to be a cut-throat music competition. Instead, NewSong is committed to building and supporting a community and network of outstanding artists.
About LEAF Global Arts
LEAF Global Arts is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization with a mission to connect cultures and create community through music and arts. LEAF is composed of two key cultural arts education programs — LEAF Schools & Streets and LEAF International — as well as two signature events: LEAF Retreat (May) and LEAF Festival (October). Since 1995, LEAF has served more than 200,000+ youths with programs in more than 15 community locations and in 10 countries worldwide. www.theLEAF.org
