Posts Tagged ‘NewSong finals’

Q+A with NewSong finalist Lindsay Foote

Tuesday, December 31st, 2024

Lindsay Foote is a singer-songwriter and producer from Boston. Her heartfelt music has been featured on CBS and recognized in several national songwriting competitions. When she’s not songwriting, Lindsay spends her time rock climbing, hosting dinner parties, and trying to keep her house plants alive.

Lindsay will join seven other finalists to network and compete at the NewSong Performance & Songwriting Competition finals on Saturday, January 11, at Citizen Vinyl. Find tickets HERE.

NewSong Music: What sort of music was playing in your house when you were growing up?

My parents loved singer-songwriters, so I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree! I grew up listening to Joni Mitchell, Shawn Colvin, James Taylor, and Jonatha Brooke. My Dad also loves country and bluegrass, so there was lots of that playing in the house.

What inspired you to become a songwriter?

I wanted to be a songwriter ever since I understood that it was a job! I used to pore over the lyric sleeves of every CD I got, and memorize every word. Once I got a bit older, I started writing songs, and felt like I could really express certain things through the medium that I couldn’t express elsewhere. I was hooked!

If you could partner with another living songwriter to co-write a song, who would it be?

Hmm, this is a tough one!! There’s so many, but I think at the moment it would be Adrienne Lenker. Her music is so original and authentic, and I would love to see how she approaches the writing process!

What attracted you to submit your song(s) to the NewSong Competition?

A few favorite songwriters of mine —Kaiti Jones, Jobi Riccio — have been finalists in this contest, so I thought I’d give it a shot. I also love getting the chance to meet and connect with new musicians from all over!

Do you have any recent or forthcoming projects to tell us about?

I’m working on a new album with my band here in Boston. It’s a collection of songs from the past few years about friendship, connection, and growing older. 

Q+A with NewSong finalist Paula Boggs

Saturday, December 28th, 2024

Paula Boggs has written and recorded four full-length albums fronting the Paula Boggs Band, and has also recorded two EPs. She is a voting member and a Governor of The Recording Academy, Pacific Northwest Chapter Board, and member of the Americana Music Association.

Paula and her band mate Darren Loucas will join seven other finalists to network and compete at the NewSong Performance & Songwriting Competition finals on Saturday, January 11, at Citizen Vinyl. Find tickets here.

NewSong Music: What sort of music was playing in your house when you were growing up? 

Paula: I grew up Catholic but my mom was African Methodist Episcopal, so in my home I heard the music of both faith traditions. My dad was actually a cantor in our parish church. Beyond church music we played mostly Motown in my house. By attending Catholic school I got exposed to folk music by Peter, Paul and Mary, Bob Dylan, The Byrds, Simon & Garfunkel, etc. At 13, my family moved to Europe and while there I got exposed to jazz, classical, Europop, top 40s rock/pop and a broader range of folk, including the works of Joni Mitchell.

What inspired you to become a songwriter?

At age 10 I started writing songs shortly after learning how to play guitar. Guitar was the main instrument I heard when listening to folk music in school and its poetry mesmerized me. I wanted to do that too. The first song I ever wrote was “Ozymandias,” about an imaginary dog. I’m pretty sure Peter, Paul and Mary’s “Puff The Magic Dragon” inspired it.

If you could partner with another living songwriter to co-write a song, who would it be? 

Bruce Springsteen. The canvas he paints through song has wowed me since I first discovered his music in my college years. 

What attracted you to submit your song(s) to the NewSong Competition? 

Most songs I write, and our band performs, are rooted in storytelling. The NewSong Competition is prestigious and rewards songwriting so we decided to apply. We also love Asheville, having played at the now closed Isis back in 2017.

Do you have any recent or forthcoming projects to tell us about? 

We recorded our 5th studio album Sumatra last summer at Grammy-winning Tucker Martine’s Portland, OR studio. It releases in 2025 and features The Blind Boys of Alabama and Brandi Carlile’s longtime cellist Josh Neumann among other guest artists.

Meet NewSong finalist Grant Maloy Smith

Thursday, November 14th, 2019

NewSong is proud to introduce 2019 finalist Grant Maloy Smith! The Kingston, RI-based singer-songwriter will join his fellow finalists onstage at Isis Music Hall on Saturday Nov. 23 for the 18th annual NewSong Final Competition. 

Grant is songwriter heavily influenced by country/roots music — boasting an artful blend of country, bluegrass and folk. Grant has performed at Carnegie Hall and won numerous awards, including two Grammy certificates. One of his songs was turned into an award-winning children’s book, launching him into the world of publishing. When he isn’t playing music, Grant is also an actor. 

We asked Grant about his musical inspiration, songwriting process and what music news he has coming up in the Q&A below. 

Connect with Grant on his websiteFacebook pageTwitter, YouTube, 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?

Hank Williams, Woody Guthrie, the Beatles, and Mozart.
 

What is your songwriting process like?

I normally start with the music and some words at the same time, then develop the whole structure. Then I come back and write the entire lyric, which takes the most time to do.
 

What was your reaction to being named a NewSong finalist?

I was very excited and honored to be chosen.
 

What music news would you like to share with readers?

My song “Man Of Steel” has been selected as the official theme song of the National Veterans Foundation. And I appeared in the feature film “Oildale” performing my original song “I Come From America” on screen. The film is premiering in LA on December 12.
 
 
For more information on attending the NewSong Competition event, please visit our Facebook event page. Buy tickets here

Meet NewSong finalist Jobi Riccio

Wednesday, November 13th, 2019

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. 

Connect with Jobi on her websiteFacebook page, Twitter 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?

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