Aussie Artists Top The List of 2009 International Songwriting Competition Finalists
Thursday, 11 March 2010
For the first time ever, Australia leads all countries second only to the USA in both the number of entries and finalists in the prestigious International Songwriting Competition (ISC). Out of almost 15,000 entries worldwide, 44 Australian artists are finalists and 73 are semi-finalists in the 2009 competition.
For a complete list of 2009 ISC finalists and semi-finalists, please visit: www.songwritingcompetition.com/winners.htm
For a complete list of Australian finalists, see below.
The US-based International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is pleased to announce its 2009 finalists and semi-finalists. Selected out of almost 15,000 entries from 100 countries, they represent all genres of contemporary music. Australian entries represent the largest group of entrants from any country next to the USA, beating out Canada for the first time ever.
ISC, now in its ninth year, is the largest international songwriting competition in the world. Over $150,000 (US) in cash and merchandise is awarded to 65 winners, including an Overall Grand Prize winner who receives $25,000 (US) in cash and over $20,000 in prizes. However, winning ISC isn't just about the cash and prizes. The recognition, exposure, and ability to access US-based music industry executives add to the reasons to enter and benefits of winning.
Winners will be announced in April and are selected by ISC’s prestigious panel of judges comprised of high-profile recording artists (Tom Waits, Robert Smith of The Cure, Kings of Leon, Robbie Williams, Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20, and many more) and industry executives, including Presidents of record labels Epic, Sire, Universal Republic, Nettwerk, A&M/Octone, Alligator, and Putumayo (see complete list of judges below).
The selection process for ISC finalists and semi-finalists is rigorous as each song is carefully evaluated by a listening committee. Although the criterion for various categories differs, the selection process is the same in that ISC is looking for the very best songs, reaffirming its belief that “it’s all about the song.”
Candace Avery, Founder and Director of ISC, states "I am continually impressed by the Aussie music scene and the creativity of its songwriters. We receive a lot of entries from all over the world, but the Australian entries seem to have an edge of creativity and originality that tops other countries. Maybe it’s the support of radio stations such as Triple J that allows independent artists to think, write, and sing “outside the box”. Other markets don’t have this kind of airplay for independent artists. As a result, we eagerly look forward each year to hearing what is coming out of Australia.”
All 2009 ISC finalists' songs are currently posted online as part of the People's Voice - an online voting contest that allows the public to listen to and vote for their favorite ISC finalist. The winner of the People's Voice is selected solely by public vote and is in addition to, and completely separate from, the regular winners who will be selected by the prestigious ISC judging panel. To listen to the 2009 ISC finalists' songs and to support your favorite Aussie artist, go to: www.songwritingcompetition.com/PVWelcome2008.htm
2009 Judges:
Recording Artists: Kings of Leon • Tom Waits • Journey • Rob Thomas (Matchbox 20) • Timbaland • Wynonna • Jeff Beck • Loretta Lynn • McCoy Tyner • Steve Winwood • Michael W. Smith • Alejandro Sanz • Robbie Williams • Black Francis (The Pixies) • Robert Smith (The Cure) • Adele • James Mercer (The Shins) • Jerry Lee Lewis • Jeremy Camp • Darryl McDaniels (Run DMC) • John Mayall • Chris Hillman (The Byrds) • Youssou N’Dour • John Scofield • Gary Lightbody (Snow Patrol) • Ray Wylie Hubbard • Matt Thiessen (Relient K) • James Cotton • Sasha • John Digweed • Robert Earl Keen • Jeffrey Steele • Mario • Toots Hibbert (Toots & The Maytals) • Craig Morgan • DJ Tiesto • Baaba Maal • “Weird Al” Yankovic • Sandra Bernhard Industry Executives: Monte Lipman (President, Universal Republic Records) • Seymour Stein (Chairman/CEO, Sire Records) • Amanda Ghost (President, Epic Records) • Ric Arboit (President, Nettwerk Music Group) • James Diener (President, A&M/Octone Records) • Amy Doyle (Sr. VP Music & Talent, MTV) • Brian Malouf (VP A&R, Walt Disney Records) • Mitchell Cohen (VP A&R, Verve Music Group) • Kim Buie (VP A&R, Lost Highway) • Rick Krim (Executive VP Talent & Music Programming, VH1) • Dan Storper (President, Putamayo World Music) • Bruce Iglauer (Founder/President, Alligator Records) • Lisa Ramsey Perkins (Sr. Director A&R, Sony Nashville) • Angel Carrasco (Sr. VP A&R, Latin America Sony/BMG) • Cory Robbins (President, Robbins Entertainment) • Steve Lillywhite (Producer) • Douglas C. Cohn (Sr. VP Music Marketing & Talent, Nickelodeon) • Dr. Demento (Radio Host, The Dr. Demento Show)
ISC is now accepting entries for 2010. For an entry form or to enter online, please go to: http://www.songwritingcompetition.com
ISC Sponsors: Gibson, ASCAP, Berklee College Of Music, Disc Makers, D'Addario, Shure, JamHub, Thayers, FanCue, M-Audio, Onlinegigs, SongU.com, The Music Business Registry, Tanager AudioWorks, Shari's Berries, Independent Mastering, Indie Venue Bible, George Stein, Esq., Sonicbids, Taxi, music Submit, CelebrityAccess, and Alphabet Arm Design
Australian ISC 20009 Finalists:
- 8 Ball Aitken – “Yellow Moon” – Blues - Brisbane, QLD
- Alexander Burnett (Sparkadia) “Mary” - AAA (Adult Album Alternative) - Sydney, NSW
- Andrew Cochrane, Simon Boyce (Andrew Cochrane) – “Don't Come Over ‘Til I'm Over You” – Country - Mackenzie, QLD
- Andrew James Redford - “City” – Teen - Maroochydore, QLD
- Andrew Thomson, Kahl Wallace, Charles Thomas, Jhindu (The Medics) – “Joseph” - Rock - Paddington, QLD
- Andy Bull – “Small Town Girl” - Pop/Top 40 - Sydney, NSW
- Ben Stewart – “Love Is A Cruel Machine” - AAA (Adult Album Alternative) - Brisbane, QLD
- Cam MacKellar – “Where I'm Calling From” - Lyrics Only – Killcare, NSW
- Candice Monique, Christopher Coe (Metals) “Drop Ya Guard” - Dance/Electronica -Melbourne, VIC
- Charlie Bailey (Chasing Bailey) – “The Right Time” - Pop/Top 40 - Waverton, NSW
- Chris Cheney (The Living End) – “White Noise” – Rock - Melbourne, VIC
- Colin Germano (Col Meredith) – “Colostomy Bag” - Comedy/Novelty - Noosa Heads, QLD
- Danielle Caruana (Mama Kin) – “Tore My Heart Out” - Adult Contemporary (AC) - Fremantle, WA
- Daxton P Monagahn (Daxton) – “Moody Liz” – Blues - Sydney, NSW
- Emma Hewitt, Anthony Hewitt (Missing Hours) – “Not For You” - Adult Contemporary (AC) - Geelong West, VIC
- Garth Adam – “The Boat” - AAA (Adult Album Alternative) - Edgecliff, NSW
- Jai Pyne, Xavier Naughton, Ivan Lisyak (The Paper Scissors) – “Howl” – Performance - Sydney, NSW
- John Mackay (Children Collide) – “Social Currency” – Rock - Melbourne, VIC
- Jon Toogood (Shihad) – “One Will Hear The Other” – Rock - Melbourne, VIC
- Kavyen Temperley, Stuart MacLeod, Joel Quartermain, Steve Parkin (Eskimo Joe) - “Foreign Land” – Rock - Perth, WA
- Kevin Mitchell (Bob Evans) – “Pasha Bulker” - Pop/Top 40 - Fitzroy, VIC
- Leonie Polley (Diamond Trick) – “I Like Girlz” - Dance/Electronica - Geelong, VIC
- Marcela Taylor – “Sand Storm” – Instrumental - Melbourne, VIC
- Mark Isaacs (Mark Isaacs Resurgence Band) – “Minsk” – Jazz – Bonnet Bay, NSW
- Mason Rachinger – “Seen Her b4” – Performance - Palm Beach, QLD
- Matt Ellis – “Heart Of Mine” – Americana - Sydney, NSW
- Matt Joe Gow (Matt Joe Gow And The Dead Leaves) – “Come What May” – Americana - Melbourne, VIC
- Michael Tomlinson (Yves Klein Blue) – “Polka” – Performance - Brisbane, QLD
- Nadia Sunde – “The Goat And The Goose” - Children’s Music - Gold Coast, QLD
- Nathan Hudson (Faker) – “This Heart Attack” - Pop/Top 40 - Sydney, NSW
- Nicholas Green, Michael Sullivan, Peter Carter (Heartbreak Club) – “Chin Up” - Rock - Sydney, NSW
- Nicola Watson – “Windmills” - Folk/Singer-Songwriter - Hotham Hill, VIC
- Roma Waterman – “Footsteps Of My Father” - Gospel/Christian - Melbourne, VIC
- Russell Berther, John Chaplin-Fleming (Scared Weird Little Guys) – “1985” - Comedy/Novelty - Melbourne, VIC
- Ryan Ritchie (True Live) – “Look To The Skies” - R&B/Hip-Hop - Dingley, VIC
- Sam Buckingham – “Feel Like Walking” - Folk/Singer-Songwriter - Sydney, NSW
- Sarah Blasko – “Bird On A Wire” - Folk/Singer-Songwriter - Darlinghurst, NSW
- Shane Howard, Abie Wright, Warwick Wright (Street Warriors) – “Solid Rock (Street Warriors Version)” directed by Matthew Chuang - Music Video - Greenacre, NSW
- Simon Berckelman, Joel Beeson (Philadelphia Grand Jury) – “The Good News” - Performance - Strawberry Hills, NSW
- Thomas Savage, Alexander Gow (Oh Mercy) – “Get You Back” - Adult Contemporary (AC) - Melbourne, VIC
- Tom Poulter, Angela Cox (Tom Poulter) – “Every Time” - Gospel/Christian - Shellharbour, NSW
- Tommaso Parisi (Tom Ugly) – “Bad With Love” – Teen - Sydney, NSW
- Troy Cassar-Daley – “I Love This Place” – Country - Bulimba, QLD
- Walter De Backer, Kristen-Jurgen Schroeder (The Basics) – “With This Ship” – Rock - Melbourne, VIC
For the list of 2009 semi-finalists, go to: www.songwritingcompetition.com/Semi-Finalists_2009.htm
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