Posts Tagged ‘Q&A’

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Q&A with 2025 NewSong Finalist Emily Johnson-Erday

Friday, October 31st, 2025

Emily Johnson-Erday is an award-winning songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and theater maker whose work explores the nuance of life – silver linings and beautiful tragedies alike. Raised in the mountains of North Carolina playing old-time music with her family, she now lives in Brooklyn, NY, using her musical roots to tell stories that examine tradition as it evolves.

Emily and seven other finalists will gather in Asheville on Thursday, December 11, to connect and perform at the 24th annual NewSong Music Performance & Songwriting Competition, held at The Grey Eagle. Tickets are on sale here.

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

Emily Johnson-Erday: Mostly old-time and folk music! I grew up going to folk festivals, listening to family friends’ CDs, and singing at jams with my family. My dad is a fiddler, and we moved to western NC to be closer to the old-time community in the Asheville area before I can remember. It’s both a formative part of my musical life and the heart of my social ties.

What was your journey to music?

I learned music mostly from jamming and singing with the old-time community, piecemeal-ing lessons from my dad and his friends. I learned guitar to back myself up as I sang, then I tried the banjo as a fluke right after college and something clicked for the first time. I didn’t start writing songs until all those ingredients were there.

What is the first song you wrote that you were proud of, and why?

It might have been “The Roses” — after the heartbeat bill passed in Texas in 2021, I spent three weeks researching abortive herbs and working them into a song. To me it represents the first time I saw something that happened in the world and responded artistically in real time.

What is your writing process like?

It really depends on the song! Most of my folk songs come from a feeling of “I have to write a song about THIS,” or I’ll learn a science or history fact that feels like it’s useful for a song and I’ll write it down to compost into a song. Those songs tend to come lyric first, but I generally know how it wants to feel musically as I go, and which instrument it wants to be written on.

Share a musical adventure from this summer with us — an experience that really stood out for you.

I released my first EP this summer, and I was dead set on releasing on the summer solstice. So when the release party came around, it happened to line up with a heat wave in NYC — and the untimely demise of the air conditioner at the venue. It was a joyful night full of sweaty hugs and the flapflapflapflapflap of handheld fans.

 

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Q&A with 2025 NewSong Finalist Katie Boeck

Thursday, October 30th, 2025

A 2023 Kerrville New Folk winner and two-time Rocky Mountain Folks Fest Songwriter Showcase finalist, Katie Boeck is gaining recognition as one of the standout voices in today’s independent folk scene. Her 2023 album Calico was named Best Singer-Songwriter Album of the Year by the Indie Acoustic Project and has garnered praise from outlets like Atwood Magazine, Folk N Rock, and Music Mecca, who called her work  both “timeless” and “transcendent.”

Katie and seven other finalists will gather in Asheville on Thursday, December 11, to connect and perform at the 24th annual NewSong Music Performance & Songwriting Competition, held at The Grey Eagle. Tickets are on sale here.

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

Katie Boeck: It was a pretty eclectic mix. Fleetwood Mac, Petty, Bruce Hornsby, Natalie Merchant, Peter, Paul and Mary, Jim Croce, Janis Ian, Joni Mitchell, Mariah, Celine. And then ’90s country radio during summers with my Dad.
What was your journey to music?

I always enjoyed singing and started taking voice lessons when I was 4. My dad enjoyed songwriting and always encouraged writing my own songs. Many nights were spent in family sing-alongs with my mom and step-dad in the “music room” playing guitar and piano and then listening to great records on loud speakers. 
What is the first song you wrote that you were proud of, and why?
 
I started writing songs when I was about 15. I remember writing a song called “Average Jane” — it felt honest, raw, and so cathartic. 
 
What is your writing process like?
 
I typically start with a melody over a chord progression on piano or guitar and find a word or a phrase that feels really good to sing over the melody. This will lead me to a broader idea and I’ll flesh out the song from there. For me it feels sort of like a puzzle where once I get a general idea of what the song is about or the overall arc of it, I just start filling it in piece by piece, making refinements and edits along the way.
 
Share a musical adventure from this summer with us — an experience that really stood out for you.
 
I released a song called “Dust” that I got to record live to tape with Shane Leonard at his studio in Eau Claire, WI. 

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Q&A with 2025 NewSong Finalist Alex Sheh

Wednesday, October 29th, 2025
Alex Sheh is a singer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist based in the San Francisco Bay Area. His music blends elements of jazz, blues, folk, and pop. His soulful vocals and expressive guitar playing create a warm and inviting atmosphere for listeners. Whether playing original music or timeless classics, Alex brings passion and depth to every performance. He believes in the power of music to share our stories and uplift each other.
 
Alex and and 7 other finalists will gather in Asheville on December 11 to perform at the 24th annual NewSong Competition.
 
 
NewSong Music: What sort of music was playing in your house when you were growing up?
 
Alex Sheh: My parents love music and singing. Mandarin pop music would be playing in the house and they often hosted karaoke parties with their friends. My older sister, an actress and a big fan of musical theater, introduced me to Stephen Sondheim, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and others. I remember listening to Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Jobim, the Oldies station, and Top 40.
 
What was your journey to music? 
 
My music journey started with classical piano and violin lessons as a child. Then I started learning guitar in seventh grade and everything changed – I became very focused on music and started writing songs shortly after. I sang in choirs through high school and participated in the Madrigal choir, which deepened my love for songs. I received my Bachelor’s in music composition from U.C. San Diego, where I studied classical guitar and piano. After graduating, I took private lessons in voice and jazz guitar. Later, I would study jazz piano, bass, and drums.
 
What is the first song you wrote that you were proud of, and why?
 
My first song that I was proud of is called “So Easy.” It was the first song that I wrote, at 13 years old, when my technique was limited. Everything about music felt new and exciting, and it was written instinctively, in a flash of inspiration. It was a song that my friends and family loved, and I loved seeing them connect with the music. This was when I caught the songwriting bug.
 
 
What is your writing process like?
 
My writing process is to improvise the vocal melody while accompanying myself on guitar or piano. Sometimes a specific guitar or piano part will appear first and influence the melody, but they are developed together. I compose by singing and playing into a DAW, so that I can let the ideas flow freely and then listen back and review the material. I sing improvised lyrics when writing, sometimes gibberish, but often these improvised lyrics reveal where the song should go. The music is completed first, and then the lyrics are finalized after. Song ideas can come from many places — my own experiences and learnings, stories that my friends and family share about their lives, music that I love, movies, etc. When I feel emotionally connected to a subject, then I search for the song and try to stay true to its emotional center.
 
Share a musical adventure from this summer with us — tell us about an experience that really stood out for you.
 
My biggest musical adventure this summer was initiated by my piano teacher, Julie Bonk, who is also a great songwriter. She suggested that I participate in the RealPeopleRealSongs Challenge, a 12-week songwriting challenge led by Cary Cooper, an accomplished songwriter who gives back to the songwriting community through her mentorship. Every Sunday we received a one-word prompt that we would use to write and record a song that week. I learned so much through this challenge. The weekly deadline helped me push through limiting beliefs and awaken the songwriter within me.  I met many talented songwriters through this group, and learned from them by observing how they approached each prompt both musically and lyrically.
 

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Q&A with 2025 NewSong Finalist Annie Stokes

Tuesday, October 28th, 2025

A childhood spent alternately in dance studios, buried in books, or outside on the easternmost seam of the Blue Ridge Mountains shaped Annie Stokes’s childhood and teen years, before college allowed her to pursue the study of history and gender (two themes that come up frequently in Annie’s work). After giving a ‘real’ job the (literal) old college try, it became evident to her that her life’s calling was in music and performance. Annie teamed up with producer Austin Bello for her 2023 EP Wild Rose and a forthcoming full length LP. 

Annie and seven other finalists will gather in Asheville on Thursday, December 11, to connect and perform at the 24th annual NewSong Music Performance & Songwriting Competition, held at The Grey Eagle. Tickets are on sale here.


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

Annie Stokes: My mom was really into ’90s country and bluegrass — we were always listening to Trisha Yearwood and Alison Krauss. My grandmother introduced me to musicals, so I listened to a lot of Stephen Sondheim as a young kid. These two very different genres gave me my love of ballads and theatrical musical and lyrical choices while also keeping me rooted in folk instrumentation.

What was your journey to music? 

I grew up doing musical theatre, so I had a lot of vocal training and was adjacent to instruments my whole life. I taught myself guitar when I was in college, and proceeded to teach myself a handful of other instruments. But I’ve certainly learned from other musicians, and wouldn’t be half as decent as I am now without mentorship.

What is the first song you wrote that you were proud of, and why?

The first song I wrote that didn’t suck was called “Wrecker,” and to this day, I’m proud of it because it was when I realized that I possessed the ability to write songs. It wasn’t some mystery that I was locked out of.

What is your writing process like? 

I generally start with a lyrical idea or theme and then write the melody. Every now and then, a riff will come to me first, but I consider myself to be a writer and lyricist at heart, so generally I’ll start with lyrics. I write almost exclusively on guitar. In terms of when and where, I’m trying to be a little bit more structured with how I write. An artist I opened for a while ago told me that “the muse honors people who honor her,” which means that you have to be intentional with the time and space you make in your schedule to be creative. You can’t just wait for a good song to pour out. With two young kids and a handful of jobs, that can be tough, though.

Share a musical adventure from this summer with us. 

We played the main stage at Steppin’ Out Fest in Downtown Blacksburg this summer, and that was incredibly special. I played the acoustic stage at the same festival a few years ago, and it was a “pinch me” moment to be able to look at the massive mainstage that we were able to play on. 

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Q&A with 2025 NewSong Finalist Dustin Dale Gaspard

Monday, October 27th, 2025

In 2024, singer-songwriter Dustin Dale Gaspard received a professional scholarship from CODOFIL to study at Université Sainte-Anne. Now, he’s making history on “The Voice” as the first contestant ever to sing in Cajun French on the show—a truly unique talent shining a national spotlight on Louisiana’s Francophone culture.

Dustin and seven other finalists will gather in Asheville on Thursday, December 11, to connect and perform at the 24th annual NewSong Music Performance & Songwriting Competition, held at The Grey Eagle. Tickets are on sale here.

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

Dustin Dale Gaspard: Swamp pop, vintage soul, trad Cajun, and ’90s country — a whirlwind of sounds.

What was your journey to music — were you classically trained? From a family of musicians? Self-taught?

No training, no family musicians. I was a drunkard kid and street rat trying to make art through pure discovery and conviction.

What is the first song you wrote that you were proud of, and why?

I’m proud of every song in the moment, it’s a testament to my life and the story. Early on it was emotional, then came an overcompensation of density, now it’s in reverence and hopefully a little more digestible. 

What is your writing process like?

I compartmentalize my steps, but it’s a structured chaos. There’s all this paint to choose from and sometimes it’s splattered in a plate, or it’s kept in its proper container but it’s definitely all color-coded correctly. Lyrics, then music, then organized thoughts — but it starts when a melody smears through those colors. It’ll dictate which palette it wants to be born from. That spark will tie itself to some words, or a guitar line, or even a story that needs to be told.

Share a musical adventure from this summer with us — an experience that really stood out for you.

Well, I was on a TV show called “The Voice” and it absolutely has sky-rocketed what I thought was a pretty normal artistic life into a possible opportunity to legitimately change the world. The most beautiful take-away was seeing other artists making those same sacrifices and risking it all, and even in our despair there remained vulnerability and triumph. That’s the artist’s way.

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Q+A with NewSong finalist Erika Lewis

Monday, December 30th, 2024

Known for her lengthy tenure touring and busking with beloved New Orleans jazz band Tuba Skinny, prolific songwriter and singer Erika Lewis has been churning out American originals all her own for the past several years. From classic country to cosmic Americana to dreamy indie folk, Lewis continues to dip her toes more deeply into an ever-expanding pool of roots music styles. Her new record A Walk Around the Sun is a testament to Lewis’ songwriting prowess and exceptional vocal ability.

Erika will join seven other finalists to network and compete at the NewSong Performance & Songwriting Competition finals on Saturday, March 15, at Citizen Vinyl. Find tickets here.

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

Erika: Motown, Blues, Country, Jazz, Soul 

What inspired you to become a songwriter?

Singing and making up melodies have always been a sort of default mode for me. And I like poetry, so it was sort of a natural progression of self expression. Also, I was very inspired by other people making music around me.

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

Liliana Hudgens 

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

I live in Asheville and noticed the competition was being held here. And I’ve always had a stop and go relationship with songwriting and just feeling very ready to put more energy into it, hopefully by working on a new album in the coming year. So I thought this contest would be a good incentive.

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

My first studio album A Walk Around the Sun was released in 2022.

 

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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, March 15, 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.

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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.

 

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Q+A with LEAF Songwriter Competition Finalist Andy Sydow

Tuesday, April 30th, 2024

In a career spanning more than a decade, Americana, rock, folk, singer-songwriter Andy Sydow has released several albums and singles, toured internationally, received Triple-A airplay (Alibi, 2022 and Keep On Driving, 2023), been a finalist in the Kerrville New Folk Songwriter Competition (twice!), and supported numerous acts including Shane Smith & The Saints, Dick Dale, Chuck Prophet, Tab Benoit, Samantha Fish, Lucero, and Anders Osborne.

Andy is one of eight finalists selected to showcase and compete in the LEAF Singer Songwriter Competition, Presented by NewSong Music, at LEAF Retreat on May 11.

NewSong Music: What is the most recent song you wrote and what inspired it?
Andy Sydow: Well, it’s still a working title, but right now it’s called “Jam On Toast.” It’s not about putting jam on toast, that’s just a line in the third verse that stuck out to me. It’s also an odd name for a song, and I like that! “Jam On Toast” is about getting stuck in a rut and going through the motions. I’ve struggled with feeling that way some lately so I guess I wrote it as a remedy for that. My friend Nic Clark co-wrote the song.
 
What was your journey to becoming a musician — are you classically trained or self-taught?
My parents put me in piano lessons in elementary school and I stuck with it through high school and then majored in jazz piano in college at CU Denver. I also played the saxophone in concert band and jazz band through high school, and my dad taught me guitar in high school as well. Growing up, we often went to this radio show in Boulder called “eTown.” I got to see so many amazing artists from week to week including Natalie Merchant, Jackie Greene, Ben Harper, and Keb’ Mo’. One show in particular that stands out was seeing Buddy Guy at “eTown” as a 10 year old. Buddy saw me in the audience and walked over and handed me his pick and let me play his polka dot guitar in the middle of a song! I didn’t know how to play at the time, but the rush of getting to be a part of the show really gave me the performance bug. 
 
What music was playing in your house while you were growing up?
My parents had a pretty big CD collection to pick from! A few that come to mind as I’m thinking about it now are Eric Clapton, Dave Matthews, Sarah McLachlan, Tom Petty, and Rush. I was also always big into movie soundtracks for the films I was watching as a kid. Star Wars, Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Jam and Shrek are a few that jump out off hand.
 
If you could co-write a song with anyone, who would it be, and why?
Dead or alive? Ok… I’ll answer both. Alive – Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes. He words things in ways that are truly unique, yet the listener knows exactly what he’s saying. It’s poetic without being too cryptic. Dead – I’d love to write a wild, twisted rock anthem with Warren Zevon. 
 
What has most surprised you about being a singer-songwriter?
The community is incredibly supportive. I don’t know what I expected when I got into this as a teenager, but it wasn’t this. The community is wonderful. It has also surprised me how many non-music related skills I’ve learned through this journey.

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Q+A with LEAF Songwriter Competition Finalist Admiral Radio

Sunday, April 21st, 2024

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