Songwriting Challenge closes this Sunday 7th October 2013

Only one week left to enter Liverpool’s unique Songwriting Challenge

Songwriters have only one week left to enter the Liverpool Acoustic Songwriting Challenge 2013 as entries close at 5pm on Sunday 6th October.

For anyone new to the concept, the Liverpool Acoustic Songwriting Challenge is a truly unique event where songwriters are challenged to write a new, original song inspired by the art on show at Mathew Street’s independent View Two Gallery. The people behind this event know what you’re thinking… “Unique? Really?” Well, as far as they know there isn’t an event like it anywhere in the world, so they’re quietly confident about the claim.

To enter the challenge each songwriter must visit the View Two Gallery and choose a piece of art that inspires them enough to write a new song. They then have until the deadline to write the song, record it, and submit it as a recording along with a copy of the lyrics and a photo of the art. The judges will listen to all the submitted art-inspired songs and score each one on lyrics, melody, composition and originality. The top ten placed songs will be performed at the Showcase Final on the evening of Friday 22nd November where the Judges’ Award winner will be announced, and where the audience will be able to vote for an Audience Favourite winner too.

The winning songs in the two categories – Judges Award and Audience Favourite – will be professionally recorded at Liverpool’s Crosstown Studios.
Jon Lawton, returning judge and owner of Crosstown Studios, says:-

“The Songwriting Challenge is a great experience to be involved in. The competition really helps to showcase some of Liverpool’s best underground musical talents and I can’t wait to see who we end up working with this year!”

Also returning as judge for this year’s Challenge is Kaya Herstad Carney – musician, singer, organiser of Threshold Festival, and lecturer in Popular Music Performance at the University of Chester. Kaya says:-

“I enjoyed it last year and am really looking forward to being involved again.“

Vanessa Murray, winner of the Judges’ Award last year, says:-

“Taking part in the Songwriting Challenge was a great experience as it tested my abilities and made me look at songwriting from a different point of view. I also enjoyed listening to other entrants’ interpretations of pictures they were inspired by. Overall the Songwriting Challenge is a great platform for local musicians and I highly recommend entering.”

Liverpool Acoustic’s Graham Holland says:-

“The standard of songs last year was incredibly high and  I was amazed by the imagination, creativity and talent of our local songwriters. This unique event combines Liverpool’s duel passions for art and music, and once again we’re laying down a challenge to the region’s talented songwriters to show what they can do.“

The Songwriting Challenge is free to enter, and is open to anyone of any age living in the UK. The only criteria is that they must have visited the View Two Gallery between 6th September and 5th October this year. The gallery is open Thursday and Friday from 12pm to 4pm, and Saturday from 12pm to 5pm. Other viewings can be arranged by appointment.
viewtwogallery.co.uk 0151 236 9444

For anyone unable to record their song themselves, our friends at Vizea Sound vizeasound.co.uk have once again kindly offered to provide a quick, no-frills recording for free.

Songwriters are asked to read and agree to the rules before entering. A copy of the rules and full details of the Songwriting Challenge can be found at challenge.liverpoolacoustic.co.uk
Entry to the Showcase Final on Friday 22nd November will be by ticket only, available in advance from 25th October or on the door for £5. All money raised will be split between Marie Curie Cancer Care and Garston Animal Rescue in memory of Liverpool Acoustic team member Sharon Jones who died in May 2011.

2012 WINNERS

Judges Award 2012: Vanessa Murray – I Don’t Wanna Lose You Like This
Watch the video for Vanessa’s winning song here.

2011 WINNERS

Judges Award 2011: Simon Madison – Brother of Fur
Watch Simon playing his winning song at last year’s Showcase Final here.

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Songwriting Challenge closes this Sunday 7th October 2013