Inaugural UTAS Stephen Schwartz Songwriting Award presented to: LOUISE ANTON
Monday, 28 June 2010
Songwriter Louise Anton has been awarded the inaugural UTAS STEPHEN SCHWARTZ SONGWRITING AWARD. Musical theatre composer Stephen Schwartz and University of Tasmania Professor Kevin Purcell were on hand to present Louise with her award at Song Summit, APRA|AMCOS’s biannual conference for songwriters and composers.
L- R: HarryVanda, Stephen Schwartz, Louise Anton, Kevin Purcell (UTAS), Michael Kerker (ASCAP. Photo by Tony Mott. Courtesy Song Summit
“This is such an honour and it’s my very first songwriting award. Thanks to the University of Tasmania for providing this award and to Stephen Schwartz; I am really honoured to be the inaugural recipient. Thank you to Harry Vanda, a wonderful producer, mentor, friend, everyone at Flashpoint music. And finally, thank you to APRA who have always supported me,” said Louise.
Louise was recognised for her outstanding songwriting for the work “Here I Am”. The album was produced by legendary songwriter and producer, Harry Vanda. Said Professor Kevin Purcell: “one of the most impressive things about the album was the absolutely amazing production by Harry Vanda; a brilliant songwriter in his own right.”
This new prestigious Award valued at $10,000 is offered to advance the career of an emerging individual songwriter or song writing team. From 2011, the Award – presented by the University of Tasmania and APRA - will form part of the biannual APRA Professional Development Awards (PDAs). Applications for the 2011 PDAs open later this year.
About Louise Anton
Louise is a singer/songwriter and has been a professional musician for more than twenty years. Singing is her first instrument and piano a close second. She has been writing songs since age 9 and has always combined singing, melody and music.
‘It’s rare for me to write without all three elements coming together at the one time. To me, songwriting is an expression of emotion, and at times is a purging of good and bad experiences onto the page. As I’m writing I feel peace, joy, frustration, excitement, sadness, anger, many emotions and not one songwriting experience has ever been the same as another…except for the ultimate elation at finishing a piece’.
Louise finished recording her debut album ‘True Believer’, with Producer Harry Vanda, and has since been seen gigging around Australia with her band promoting the album.
‘I’m proud of this work, it’s a gorgeous display of easy listening, adult contemporary pop which has been produced to a world class standard. Working with Harry has been exceptional as our vision has been the uniquely the same all the way throughout the project. He’s been my mentor and I’ve been blessed to learn more about the art of songwriting and recording from him’.
Louise and Harry recorded only one cover for this otherwise completely self-penned album. ‘Who’ll Speak For Love’ is a beautiful, haunting love song and was written by Burt Bacharach and Sir Tim Rice. I met Burt at one of my gigs and he suggested I record the song…he thought it would suit my style.
In the meantime Sir Tim Rice and Louise met on his latest visit to Sydney where she they talked about the trials and tribulations of being a songwriter.
Over the years Louise has developed quite an impressive resume of work that includes opening for Dionne Warwick at The Sydney Opera House, backing for various local and international artists including Tom Jones, Sting, Shirley Bassey, The Wrights, Neil Finn, John Farnham, Alex Lloyd, Don McLean, Renee Gayer, Australian Idol.
She’s performed on various TV variety shows over the years but is still most recognized as one half of ‘The Nissan Cedrics’ from Roy & HG’s Club Buggery and is also highly regarded as one of Australia’s most sought after session singers.
Louise is currently working in Asia with her band, to great acclaim, and is enjoying many new opportunities.
But first and foremost she’s an artist who writes her own lyrics and pairs it with music. ‘I myself am a work in progress and am constantly challenged by the ever-evolving craft of songwriting. The way our music can change and grow with every experience we have is thrilling to say the least’.
I’m honoured to be the inaugural recipient of ‘Stephen Schwartz Award’.
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