Music News - 11 NZ Songwriters Honoured in US-Based 2014 International Songwriting Competition
05 May 2015 - 0 Comments
The U.S.-based International Songwriting Competition (ISC), widely known as the most revered songwriting competition in the world, announced its 2014 winners. With over 18,000 entries submitted from 118 countries, a total of 11 New Zealand artists are honoured in the competition, garnering three First Place wins, two Second Place wins, and eight Honourable Mentions.
You've heard of Kimbra. You've also heard of Moana and The Tribe.... Both of these are current ISC winners who coincidentally also garnered the overall Grand Prize in previous years. But, have you heard of Joe Morton?
Taking home First Place in the Unsigned Only category and Second Place in Lyrics Only for the song Giants, Joe Morton might just be New Zealand's best kept secret. He is an aspiring musician who lives at the ends of the mountain shadow, within earshot of the ocean, in remote New Zealand. A singer/songwriter and self taught multi-instrumentalist, Morton occasionally travels out of the wop-wops to share his songs and stories to small audiences in rural New Zealand. His stunning song Giants was a tremendous hit with ISC and the judges who embraced the song, honouring it with two wins, as well as an Honourable Mention in the Folk/Singer-Songwriter category.
"Many of our New Zealand winners are already established artists, whereas some of them are virtual unknowns who deserve to be recognized for their talents and accomplishments," says Candace Avery, Founder and Director. "ISC's mission is to provide a way for artists to have their music heard and recognized on an international scale. Let's not forget that ISC was the first to discover and expose the talents of NZ superstar Gin Wigmore, so could Joe Morton be next? Maybe... an artist like Joe Morton exemplifies what ISC is all about, and we are so pleased to be able to honour him and the many other wonderful New Zealand artists."
In addition to the NZ winners, the overall Grand Prize is awarded to Australian singer/songwriter Vance Joy for his songRiptide. This marks the first time in the 14-year history of the competition that any song has received perfect scores from every judge. Upon hearing the news of his win, Joy said, "It is such an honor to win this songwriting prize. Writing songs is what gives me a feeling of purpose. I'm proud to receive this award voted on by my songwriting peers." The song is being called an instant classic by both critics and fans alike, not only in the USA but also across the world. Joy's career is clearly on the rise, with sold-out tours, worldwide chart success, and critical acclaim.
This year's winners were selected by a panel of judges which includes, among others, American Authors, Pat Metheny, Sarah McLachlan, Bastille, Avicii, Sara Evans, Keane, Casting Crowns, Darryl McDaniels (Run D.M.C), Newsboys, Wayne Shorter, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, London Grammar, Taylor Goldsmith (Dawes), Gerald Casale (Devo), Dan McCarroll (President, Warner Bros. Records), Craig Kallman (Chairman, CEO, Atlantic Records), Mike Smith (President, Virgin EMI Records), Jeff Castelaz (President, Elektra Records), Ted Cockle (President, Virgin Records UK), and many more.
Created in 2002, ISC awards more than $150,000 in cash and prizes to winners of the competition. Winners range from amateur songwriters who are just starting their careers to professional songwriters who have years worth of experience. The Grand Prize winner is awarded $25,000 in cash, in addition to more than $45,000 in merchandise and services. Previous ISC winners include Bastille, Passenger, Kate Miller-Heidke, Lindsey Stirling, Gotye, The Band Perry, Kasey Chambers, Gin Wigmore, King Charles, Kimbra, Gregory Porter, Omar Sosa, For King & Country, and many more.
The 2015 International Songwriting Competition is now accepting entries, and more information can be found at: http://www.songwritingcompetition.com/.
For a complete list of 2014 ISC Winners and to hear the winning songs, go to http://www.songwritingcompetition.com/winners.
New Zealand Winners:
First Place
Kimbra - 90s Music - Pop/Top 40 and Music Video
Kimbra's unique musical style draws from many different genres but sits deeply rooted in the pop vein. She was the 2011 ISC Grand Prize winner and is one of New Zealand's most prominent musical artists, having won a Grammy in collaboration with Australian artist Gotye in 2013 for the song, "Somebody That I Used To Know." Kimbra's latest album, The Golden Echo reinforces that she is one of the most adventurous and creative artists on the pop scene today.
Joe Morton - New Plymouth, NZ - Giants - Unsigned Only
Second Place
Moana Maniapoto, Paddy Free, Scotty Morrison (Moana and The Tribe) - Auckland, NZ - Upokohue - World Music
Moana Maniopoto is widely considered to be one of New Zealand's most successful indigenous acts. A self-professed political junkie whose lyrics are rooted in the NZ landscape, she is known for pushing the boundaries of Maori music and is also a respected documentary filmmaker. A NZ Order of Merit recipient, she is also the winner of many awards, including the ISC Grand Prize in 2003.
Joe Morton - New Plymouth, NZ - Giants - Lyrics Only
Honourable Mentions
Bad Blood - Alexander Wildwood (Mount
Maunganui, New Zealand) - AAA (Adult Album Alternative)
Eden -
Patrick Shanahan, Alex Louise Wilson (Auckland, New Zealand) -
Dance/Electronica
Giants - Joe Morton (New Plymouth, New Zealand) -
Folk/Singer-Songwriter
Grenade - Sam Browne (Auckland, New Zealand)
- Rock
Heaven's Never Been So Far Away - Chris van de Geer, Lani
Purkis, Kurt Shanks (Auckland, New Zealand) - AAA (Adult Album Alternative)
My Darling - Late Night Poets (Auckland, New Zealand) -
Folk/Singer-Songwriter
Size Doesn't Matter - Craig Smith
(Queenstown, New Zealand) - Children's Music
Welcome Back - King
Britt, Bill Urale (Wellington, New Zealand) - R&B/Hip-Hop
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