CONGRATULATIONS to soulful Americana artist R.O. Shapiro on being selected the ‘Early Bird’ finalist in this year’s NewSong Performance & Songwriting Competition. R.O. (Raphael Odell) Shapiro is a purveyor of original Americana music, carefully crafted and soulfully sung. With Jenner Fox he formed the band Odell Fox. The duo started touring almost immediately, cultivating an energetic and intimate live show experience that R.O. has continued to build upon as a solo artist. In Austin, TX, they released two records, the Moon Shiner EP in 2016, and Thank You in 2017.
When the band parted ways, R.O. stayed in Austin, gigging regularly in the hallowed venues of that world famous music scene. It was then he developed the full-band, electrified sound that you can hear on 2021’s King Electric Sessions, his first release since leaving Odell Fox.
In recent years he has typically played solo, touring regularly in the Northeast, California, and Pacific Northwest including Alaska and Vancouver Island. R.O. is a winner of the 2022 Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk songwriting contest, and recently recorded with producer/instrumentalist Phil Cook (Bon Iver, Hiss Golden Messenger.) He is currently based in Northern California.
Nashville artist Stacy Antonel makes clever, country-leaning Americana that feels both vintage and hyper-modern. Her “country jazz” vocals conjure the great singers of the 1920s-’30s, with the emotive power of country icon Patsy Cline. Rooted in classic country and laced with elements of jazz, pop, and R&B, Stacy’s narrative songs often feature unconventional themes.
Stacy grew up near San Diego studying classical piano and cites an eclectic range of early musical inspiration: Tori Amos’s peculiar phrasing, Otis Redding’s rich melodic hooks. After winning televised singing contest “3 Minutes to Stardom,” Stacy quit her job to focus full-time on music. She began performing classic country covers as Ginger Cowgirl, and in 2017 moved to Nashville to record her self-titled debut EP, which was released in 2019. The album was praised by critics and led to tours in California, the Southeast, the UK, and Germany.
Stacy is a finalist in the 2023 NewSong Music Performance & Songwriting Competition, which will take place on Saturday, November 18, at Citizen Vinyl in downtown Asheville, N.C. Learn more and purchase tickets HERE.
NewSong Music: What sort of music was playing in your house when you were growing up?
Stacy: My parents weren’t really into music, so other than a Celine Dion CD that my mom briefly listened to, most of the music in my home was my older sister’s. She listened to a lot of Nirvana, Pearl Jam, The Cranberries. Very 90s.
What was your journey to music?
I took classical piano lessons from age 7 to 18, but I’m self-taught when it comes to singing. I was the only musical member of the family, and it didn’t really occur to me that it could be a career, so I stopped all my musical pursuits when I went to college. It was only 10 years later that I got back into it, when I started singing jingles for money while living in Argentina. Moving to Nashville in 2017 is when I really started writing songs and pursuing a career as an independent artist.
What is the first song you wrote that you were proud of, and why?
The first answer that springs to mind is “Planetary Heartache,” which is weird because it’s on my most recent record, and I’m most definitely proud of the songs I wrote on my prior release. But I just think this song slaps, and I’m kind of amazed that I wrote it. Somehow it makes me feel like a real songwriter.
What is your writing process like — do you write lyrics first, or music?
They usually come at the same time initially, and then there’s an editing phase. I find it more inspiring to write on the guitar, but I do figure out a lot of things on the piano because it’s my native tongue. Guitar is a new instrument for me, so there’s still a lot that I can’t do on it. As far as where I write, songs definitely come at random times, but the most important thing is that I sit down and force myself to just do it. As long as it’s quiet and I have my own space, it’ll work. When I’m on tour I particularly enjoy writing in random Airbnbs.
Share a musical adventure from this summer with us — an experience that really stood out for you.
I went on my first solo tour this summer, which was something I was really scared to do. If I’m just singing, I don’t really get stage fright, but put a guitar in my hand and take away my band and I’m legit scared. It was cool to start unraveling the story I tell myself that I’m only worth watching if I can hide behind the really talented musicians that I usually play with. There were definitely some mediocre moments onstage but it forced me to grow a lot in a short period of time.
In celebration of its 22nd anniversary, NewSong Music Performance & Songwriting Competition will welcome eight finalists to Asheville, NC, for an evening of songs and connection on Saturday, November 18, 2023. The internationally recognized event, previously held at the prestigious Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, has since found a home in the mountains of Western North Carolina. NewSong is proud to partner with Citizen Vinyl, a multifaceted event space in downtown Asheville, to present the finale showcase.
Clockwise from top left: Damon K. Clark, Beth // James, Reece Sullivan, Natalie Price, Stacy Antonel, Senobia, MaisCéu, Cloudbelly.
VIP PACKAGE: Join us as a patron of the arts for a pre-concert gathering. Enjoy drinks, hors d’oeuvres, an exclusive meet & greet with this year’s finalists, preferred seating for the evening and a digital recording of the night’s performances mixed by our own Gar Ragland, Co-Founder and Director of NewSong Music and Founder and CEO of Citizen Vinyl. Doors at 5:30PM.
GENERAL ADMISSION: General admission seating will include concert style and cafe tables as well as some bar stools. Seating is first come first serve. Doors at 6PM / Show at 7PM.
2022 NewSong Music finalists (with NewSong founder Gar Ragland, center back). Image by Aaron Stone Photo
The finalists, selected from advance online submissions from across North America and beyond, will bring their musical chops to Asheville to perform, compete, and connect with one another. A panel of music industry judges will select one grand prize winner who will receive a fully funded six-song EP, recorded and mixed at Citizen Studios, plus 500 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 2024.
Citizen Vinyl, established by NewSong Music director and co-founder Gar Ragland, is North Carolina’s first vinyl pressing facility, and 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.
Now in its 22nd year, the NewSong Music Performance & Songwriting Competition is one of North America’s premier showcases of emerging performers and songwriters today. This crowd-sourced effort seeks to identify the truly exceptional artists within our communities and to work closely with them to develop their careers and introduce their music to a broader, international audience while building a supportive community of performers and songwriters across all genres of music and levels of skill.
The 2020 LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition Live Performance Finals has been postponed until
October 24, 2020.
In the interest of public health, the Spring 2020 LEAF Festival has been postponed. We support our friends at LEAF in this very difficult but necessary decision.
This year’s NewSong – LEAF Competition will continue as planned, EXCEPT this year’s live performance showcase and competition finals will take place at the Fall LEAF 2020 Festival.
We are keeping submission pricing at the discounted ‘Early Bird’ rates throughout the submission period, and have extended the submission deadline for two additional weeks.
Stay healthy, music lovers, and we hope to see you in the fall!
From LEAF:
“During this unprecedented world phenomenon, LEAF Global Arts is drawing upon the beauty and healing power of 25 years of hosting a world gathering built on friends, family, tradition, arts, culture and MUSIC to face the gravity of how we move forward together. … The Spring LEAF Festival, originally scheduled for May 14-17, 2020 is officially shifting to combine with our Fall Festival taking place Oct 22-25, 2020 – for a special 50th Festival Celebration honoring all we hold dear about our Global Community.” Read the full statement here.
IMPORTANT DATES
Monday, May 4: Final deadline to enter
Monday, June 1: 2020 LEAFFinalists Announced
Saturday, October 24: LIVE PERFORMANCE FINALS to take place at the Fall LEAF Festival; Black Mountain, NC (near Asheville, held Thursday Oct. 22 – Sunday Oct 25, 2020).
Submit your songs safely and securely online at newsong-music.com. A portion of the contest proceeds will support LEAF Schools & Streets’ local cultural arts education programming.
With a mission to identify and celebrate exceptional performers and songwriters from across North America, the competition aims to bring some of the continent’s most accomplished emerging artists to showcase and compete at the 50th LEAF Festival. The LEAF winner will also earn a spot as one of only eight finalists in the 2020 annual, international NewSong Competition held in Asheville, NC.
COST TO ENTER
1 song: $35
2 songs: $60
Additional Songs: $20/each
NewSong is proud to introduce 2019 finalist Aaron John! The Nashville-based singer-songwriter will join his fellow finalists onstage at Isis Music Hall on Saturday Nov. 23 for the 18th annual NewSong Final Competition.
We asked Aaron about his musical inspiration, songwriting process and what music news he has coming up in the Q&A below.
Connect with Aaron on his bandcamp, Facebook page, and Instagram. For more information on attending this event, please visit our Facebook event page. Purchase tickets to the NewSong finals at Isis Music Hall on Nov. 23 here.
What are your most significant musical/artistic inspirations?
The Hotelier, Pinegrove, Blake Mills, Big Thief, Neil Young, and Sun Kil Moon.
What is your songwriting process like?
For me, it’s pretty essential that the melody and rhythm guitar part materialize together. Just about everything I write starts off with a tidbit of a melody/guitar part that gets stuck in my head, followed respectively by a guitar part/melody that flows into place most naturally. After the initial idea is established, I turn off the objective and analytical side of my brain and let lyrics out until I find a phonetic current that folds into the guitar and melody. From there, I ride that current out until more direction has been uncovered and change most all of the words (because everything i’ve let out up to this point in the process is likely grammatical gibberish). And then on it’s just a slog of a pursuit for maintaining purpose and cohesion.
What was your reaction to being named a NewSong finalist?
Excitement, easily! I was lucky enough to play backup guitar in last year’s New Song finals for the eventual winner, Mel Bryant, so I was able to see firsthand how wonderfully supportive, talented, and encouraging the entire New Song community is. Because of how rare it is to find a contest environment like that, choosing to apply for myself the following year was an easy decision.
What music news would you like to share with readers?
I have my debut EP “Coming Clean” releasing in early 2020!
For more information on attending the NewSong Competition event, please visit our Facebook event page. Buy tickets here.
NewSong is proud to introduce 2019 finalist Jobi Riccio! The Boston-based singer-songwriter from Denver, CO will join her fellow finalists onstage at Isis Music Hall on Saturday Nov. 23 for the 18th annual NewSong Final Competition.
Inspired by artists ranging from Buck Owens to Joni Mitchell, and the bluegrass community she came of age in, Jobi writes songs that meld classic country sounds with modern sensibilities. Her Debut EP “Strawberry Wine” is an ode to the women of country music she grew up singing along to in her bedroom, and is streaming everywhere now.
We asked Jobi about her musical inspiration, songwriting process and what music news she has coming up in the Q&A below.
What are your most significant musical/artistic inspirations?
My greatest musical influences draw from classic country and Americana music. I’m specifically drawn to female artists and songwriters like Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris, as well as their contemporaries, such as Lucinda Williams, Patty Griffin, and Kacey Musgraves. I am also very inspired by songwriters and artists who heavily draw from roots genres, such as Bruce Springsteen and Joni Mitchell.
What is your songwriting process like?
I am primarily lyrically driven. I suppose that comes as a result of steady diet of Americana, country, and singer-songwriters all throughout my childhood. In general, I try to shape the melody and chords around the lyrical or emotional idea I have and really try to channel just what that experience or feeling sounds like. However, I feel every song has its own way it wants or needs to be written, and I and am always seeking out and discovering new ways of songwriting.
What was your reaction to being named a NewSong finalist?
I was super surprised and, of course, excited! It’s a real talented crop this year, and I think I’m one of the youngest — if not the youngest — artist to be selected so I’m extra honored and excited to cultivate new friendships with writers of all ages from all over the country.
What music news would you like to share with readers?
I released my debut EP “Strawberry Wine” last winter, and am planning on releasing some new singles this spring. I’ll be preforming at Swallow Hill Music on December 21st, where I grew up taking mandolin and guitar as a teenager in addition to several Boston area shows earlier in December and early 2020.
For more information on attending the NewSong Competition event, please visit our Facebook event page. Buy tickets here.
NewSong is proud to introduce 2019 finalist Jae Jin! The singer-songwriter from Wolftown, VA will join his fellow finalists onstage at Isis Music Hall on Saturday Nov. 23 for the final competition.
Jae Jin is an independent global recording artist, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist & actor. He has self-released 3 albums: Kairos (2015), Baltimore Boulevard (EP, 2017), and his most recent album, an anthemic full-length titled ‘Letters and Drinks.‘
We asked Jae about his musical inspiration, songwriting process and what music news he has coming up in the Q&A below.
Connect with Jae Jin on his website, Facebook page, Twitter, and Instagram @JaeJinMusic. For more information on attending this event, please visit our Facebook event page. Purchase tickets here.
What are your most significant musical/artistic inspirations?
My biggest inspiration comes from the relationships with the people around me. The connections around me are necessary for the creation of words that sufficiently capture my thoughts, feelings, and struggles, which allows for others to connect to those feelings. My faith is also a major part of what influences my art, who I am, and why I create.
What is your songwriting process like?
My songwriting process is quite introspective and painstaking. The process is a long, arduous one. None of my songs actually come to a place where I think they are finished. Rather, I reach a certain point where I need to arbitrarily decide to allow for a song to be shared, at whatever point it is in regards to being completed. I always write my lyrics first, almost in the form of prose or poetry and slowly allow for them to come into the grooves and shapes of the top lines of the melodies once I introduce the written component to the music.
What was your reaction to being named a NewSong finalist?
Honestly, surprised and humbled. I am excited to compete for the chance to represent NewSong as the grand prize winner. I am excited at the prospects to perform in places I wouldn’t have otherwise, and to be able to work at the Echo Mountain studios with talented creatives.
What music news would you like to share with readers?
My latest album, titled Letters and Drinks, is a full-length album I painstakingly created and released. Numerous songs from that album won songwriting awards including the 2019 John Lennon Songwriting Award, 2019 International Songwriting Competition, 2019 International Acoustic Music Awards (IAMA), 2018 SongDoor International Songwriting Competition, and the 2018 Hollywood Music in Media Awards.
For more information on attending this event, please visit our Facebook event page. Buy tickets here.
NewSong is proud to introduce 2019 finalist Kelly Hoppenjans! The Nashville-based singer-songwriter will join our other finalists onstage at Isis Music Hall on Saturday Nov. 23 for the final competition.
Kelly creates empowering rock, combining the spirit of riot grrrl tinged with folky introspection. Her debut album, OK, I Feel Better Now, has garnered praise from NPR who has this to say about the new release: “Band-Aid Girl’ [off album OK, I Feel Better Now]… is an exhausted, exquisitely solitary dirge about settling into a romance that doesn’t quite work with a partner who isn’t quite emotionally available. The torch in Hoppenjans’ heart is reduced to a mere wisp, and she conveys its final embers with her lovely, plaintive alto.”
We asked Kelly about her musical inspirations, songwriting process and what news she has coming up in the Q&A below.
What are your most significant musical/artistic inspirations?
My biggest musical inspirations of all time are PJ Harvey, Bjork, Radiohead, and Joni Mitchell. Lately, I’ve been into Phoebe Bridgers, Angel Olsen, and Sleater-Kinney.
What is your songwriting process like?
It depends! Sometimes I get a hook that comes to me and gets me started. Other times, an idea, or sometimes a rhyme that I like, inspires a song. But when I sit down to write, I usually grab a guitar and start playing around with chords and singing over them.
What was your reaction to being named a NewSong finalist?
I was so floored! It’s such an honor to be able to participate, and I’m excited to get to perform with all the other finalists!
What music news would you like to share with readers?
I just released my debut full-length album, OK, I Feel Better Now, on Oct 18 and am going to be touring a lot this year to promote it.
For more information on attending this event, please visit our Facebook event page. Buy tickets here.
NewSong is proud to have Alli Marshall as our host at the 18th Annual NewSong Competition on Saturday Nov. 23 at Isis Music Hall in Asheville, NC. Marshall is the longtime Arts editor for Asheville’s local alt-weekly newspaper, the Mountain Xpress.
We asked Marshall about her favorite songwriters, advice for this year’s batch of finalists and her personal relationship with the growing Asheville music scene.
NewSong: Name three of your all-time favorite songwriters. What do you think it is about their songwriting that grabs your attention?
Alli Marshall: I really don’t have any all-time favorites — I tend to go in phases and am always looking for for new songwriters to be moved and inspired by. That said, those who come quickly to mind are:
• Brittany Howard, who I think is such an important contemporary soul musician. Her writing is deeply poetic and true, but there’s also her sense of musicality and performance — not just what she says but how she says it.
• Taj Mahal has written some of my favorite songs, and whenever I go back to his catalog I’m never disappointed. He exudes deep joy within the idiom of the blues.
• Jeff Markham, who was an Asheville-based singer-songwriter. He was always reconfiguring his band and sound, and he eventually left music to be a full-time chef somewhere in the southwest. But I’m fortunate to have a stash of his records, including some unreleased songs, and I feel them deeply. I wanted to mention Jeff because a musician doesn’t have to “make it” to be connect to a listener.
How would you describe your relationship with Asheville music scene? (I’m of course thinking of your role as Arts editor at the Mountain Xpress but also of your personal experience as a music lover living in this ever-changing city.)
One thing I’ve said about Asheville for years is that we, as listeners, are fortunate to be in community with and to have relationships with the folks whose bands we support. Not to downplay the magic of a major show with lights and costumes and whatever, but some of the most special and memorable experience I’ve had with music were when I knew the band and was in a small room and witnessed the moment when the performers and audiences synched up. That gorgeous, golden flow, or giving and receiving. That exchange of energy and co-creation of art … I live for that.
You were also involved in the LEAF NewSong contest this spring. Any advice for this new batch of contestants based off that experience?
Be authentic. Be well-rehearsed, have a plan and play your best songs, but also really be grounded in the room. Take a moment onstage to exhale and get super present. And then remember to introduce your songs! That’s a nice way to connect with the audience, but it also shows professionalism and care for craft.
What is the last album you listened to?
This week I’ve been going back and forth between Son Little’s new EP, “invisible,” and “It Rains Love” by Lee Fields & The Expressions.
In addition to serving as Arts editor at the Mountain Xpress, Alli Marshall is a writer and artist in her own right. Check out Alli’s work on her website.
There are so many talented artists who are part of the NewSong family — it can sometimes be difficult to keep up! That’s why each week, we compile a list of new releases, shows, and videos from past NewSong artists who we think deserve your attention.
Thinking about submitting to this year’s NewSong Music Singer Songwriter Competition? The Early Bird Deadline is July 15th. Submit your music here.
2018 NewSong finalist Alice Howe released a new album, Visions, this spring, and it’s a beautiful collection that deserves a spot in your summer rotation.
Via alicehowe.com: “Vistas and the faces and emotions they summon unfurl with compelling grace on Visions, Howe’s anticipated debut album. A modern love letter to 60s and 70s folk and timeless blues, Visions pays homage without succumbing to imitation, and offers an intimate snapshot of a young artist discovering her own power.”
We met Ben Lubeck, frontman of the band Farewell Milwaukee, in 2010 when he was a finalist in the NewSong competition. He recently released a series of singles, one of which is the lovely “For You Again.” This song, explains Ben, “explores the many emotional ups and downs of a couple’s relationship as they add members to their family and the daily practice of cultivating each other’s hearts through the complex and mundane parts of life.” Check out this song as well as his other singles, “Mrs. Bluebird” and “The Show,” on the artist’s website.
Ana Egge recently released a dreamy new single, “Cocaine Cowboys,” which premiered on PopMatters.
Via PopMatters: “This one started out as a song in tribute to life on the road and the camaraderie and friendship of bandmates and it quickly crossed into territory of honky-tonk life on the road,” says Ana Egge, reflecting on her new single, ‘Cocaine Cowboys.’ Hailing from her upcoming album, Is It the Kiss, Egge’s latest is a mellow, sweetly ruminant folk tune that explores the romantic haze surrounding the stories of old-school country stars.”
Is It the Kiss is due for release in early September via StorySound Records. It is now available to pre-order.
‘Come Together’ series in NYC continues in July, August
Enjoy new original music inspired by the 50th anniversary of the Beatle’s Abbey Road album on Wednesdays, July 10, 17, 24 and 31, from 12:30 – 1:30 PM at One New York Plaza and Thursdays July 18, August 1 and August 15 at Brookfield Place. Performers include past NewSong finalists Kaiti Jones, Crys Matthews, Suzie Brown and Mel Bryant, as well as Asheville, NC-based bands Slow Packer and For Def. For event info, visit our Facebook page.
Early Bird Deadline is July 15 for NewSong Music Competition
We are proud of our ever-growing NewSong community and the support, camaraderie and networking that goes on among finalists stretching back through the competition’s 18 years.
Will this be the year you will submit your original music? The Early Bird Deadline is July 15! Visit our submissions page here.
