Posts Tagged ‘NewSong Music Performance & Competition’

Q&A with NewSong Finalists Admiral Radio

Sunday, September 8th, 2024
Admiral Radio is the husband-and-wife duo of Becca and Coty. Together, they aim to leave listeners better than they found them. With a personal sincerity and honest performance, you might shed a few tears and roll with laughter. The duo recently won first place at the 2024 Tucson Folk Festival Songwriting Competition and 2024 LEAF NewSong Songwriting Competition, and was a finalist in the legendary Kerrville New Folk Competition, International Songwriting Competition, and more. Admiral Radio is taking leaps of faith to share their songs and stories with listeners across the country, inviting you to gather ‘round the radio in modern times.
 
Admiral Radio was the grand prize winner of the 2024 LEAF / NewSong Competition, which advanced them into the finals of this year’s NewSong Performance & Songwriting Competition.
 
NewSong: How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it before?


Admiral Radio: Something that sounds just familiar enough that you can feel at ease, like an old favorite song your Nana used to hum down the hallway, but something new that you can’t quite place, that speaks to the times we’re in. Just two voices, close harmonies, and a guitar or two. 

What is the first album you bought, and why?

Coty: Baha Men, because who really let the dogs out? 
Becca: Selena, because Selena was a revolution and remains the queen of our hearts. 

 
Becca and Coty of Admiral Radio in a bed of flowers.What is one influence on your music that might surprise us?


Neither of us really grew up with the music we write and play together today. We discovered the heart of folk, roots, and Americana music over time and as a shared journey, and continue to learn more everyday.

What projects are you currently working on?

We’re about to launch our new album and Patreon, an online platform that allows us to connect with our community without the algorithm’s nonsense. We’re excited to build a monthly writer’s circle there, host livestreams, and just share in those ordinary little tidbits together. The album we’re about to release on September 13 is called Good Things Take Time. It’s an ode to the passing of time and what we can do with it, and not to give up on yourself, no matter how slow you have to take it.

Share a musical adventure from this summer with us — could be a show you played, a tour you took, a recording you made, a concert you attended, etc. Tell us about an experience that really stood out for you.

We’ve been jaunting around the Midwest for most of the summer in Soulie, our white Kia Soul. It’s been quite the adjustment to stay out longer than a few days at a time, but we’ve learned a few hacks along the way like keeping healthy road snacks and eating a bagged lunch at rest areas. (It turns out there are some really beautiful rest stops out there.) We’ve been able to see and experience so much this summer, but the biggest highlight has been getting to know a new region of the country and its people. There are some truly genuine people out this way and we’ve been grateful to feel so much kindness and support. Music is the great connector and we’ve seen that time and time again this summer.

 

KORBY LENKER DISCUSSES CAREER AND LASTING FRIENDSHIPS MADE AT NEWSONG MUSIC COMPETITION

Thursday, September 29th, 2016

Korby Lenker, performing in the 2014 NewSong finals at New York’s Lincoln Center

Korby Lenker is an accomplished Nashville-based songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and past NewSong finalist who is no stranger to songwriting competitions. His music features sounds ranging from folksy, indie-pop songs to hard rock funk tunes, and his albums have garnered him praise from SPIN Magazine, the BBC’s Bob Harris, as well as opening slots for acts ranging from Willie Nelson to Ray LaMontagne, and Nickel Creek to Keith Urban. Most recently, in September 2016, Lenker took home the first place prize in the esteemed Rocky Mountain Folks Fest Songwriter’s Showcase.

Lenker’s undeniable talent as a songwriter, paired with his successes as a short story writer and even filmmaker, assure us that this NewSong finalist is on the road to even bigger and better things. We took some time to talk with Lenker about his experience with NewSong Music, and how the connections he made during the competition impacted his career.

Korby Lenker

What inspired you to submit your work to NewSong Music Competition?

As a professional touring singer-songwriter, I’m always looking for ways to get my music out there and have it be recognized. I had heard of the NewSong competition from a friend who had entered the year before, so I went for it.

What are some of the networking opportunities that you encountered through NewSong?

The best part of NewSong was the dinner the night before. It was only a couple hours, so we didn’t have a lot of time, but somehow I was able to make several new friends who I have since both toured with and have included on recordings. There were artists like me from all over the country, not just people who were doing it, but people who were GOOD. The dinner the night before made it easy to get to know each other.

Would you recommend that other artists submit to NewSong? Why?

I would recommend any singer songwriter serious about their career to submit to NewSong. It’s fun to play Lincoln Center, and the contest and concert itself was run very efficiently and professionally. It was a few years ago for me, but I still carry fond memories, and have relationships to this day that were forged that weekend in NYC.

Lenker is currently recording his latest album titled, Thousand Springs. To learn more about the upcoming album, as well as keep up to date on performances, visit korbylenker.com.