The Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition has announced their finalists for 2019, with singles from some huge Aussie names such as Odette, The Presets, Emma Louise and Matt Corby among the top 40 shortlist.
There will be four winners announced in July, with major cash prizes of up for $50,000 to be won. Judging the competition are well-known music industry icons including previous winner Isabella Manfredi of The Preatures, triple j unearthed guru Dave Ruby Howe, songwriter Lior and producer Franc Tetaz.
Named after The Easybeats singer-songwriters Harry Vanda and George Young, the competition featured over 3,683 entries from over 48 countries. 23 first-time entrants made it to the top 40.
Previous winners of the competition include Amy Shark, Gretta Ray and Megan Washington, which through the program have helped raise money for music therapy organisation Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia (NRMTA). Through the $50 entry fee, entrants are able to help fund the organisation’s programs that include helping children and adults with disabilities, trauma and behavioural disorders.
In a statement, CEO of the NRMTA Belinda Leonard stated “it means the world to our organisation and the children and adults we work with daily to have the support of over 3,600 songwriters from around the globe, whose competition entry fees go directly to providing much-needed resources for a range of therapies and programs.”
You can stream the full list of shortlisted artists below:
Catch Emma Louise live on her upcoming Lilac Everything tour, presented by Happy Mag, Liberation Records, Select Music, and Habit Music:
Lilac Everything Tour Dates
Thursday September 12 – Sooki Lounge, Belgrave VIC – Tickets
Friday September 13 – Corner Hotel, Richmond VIC – Tickets
Saturday September 14 – Tanks Art Centre, Cairns QLD – Tickets
Thursday 19 September – Brisbane Festival – The Tivoli, Brisbane QLD – Tickets
Friday September 20 – The Factory Theatre, Sydney NSW – Tickets
Saturday September 21 – Byron Bay Brewery, Byron Bay NSW – Tickets
Tickets on sale Friday 7 June at 10am local time via the Emma Louise website.
