The Liverpool Acoustic Songwriting Challenge closes for entries on Sunday 4th October.
Launched on 5th September this is a truly unique event where songwriters are challenged to write a new, original song inspired by a work of art.
Now in its tenth year the Songwriting Challenge welcomes back judges Stephen Langstaff (songwriter/musician/producer), Jon Lawton (Owner, Crosstown Studios/producer), Kaya Herstad Carney (Threshold, Parr Street Music School), Luke Moore (composer/Operation Lightfoot) and Robert Vincent (singer/songwriter).
To enter the Challenge a songwriter must visit the Liverpool City Region (Merseyside and Halton) during the entry period of 5th September to 4th October and choose a piece of art that inspires them to write a new song. The songwriter or songwriters (collaborations are allowed) can choose any work of art on public display in the Liverpool City Region during the entry period, whether a painting, mural, statue, sculpture, stained glass window, pavement art, or anything else generally accepted as ‘art’.
Songwriters have one month from the launch date to write the song and submit it as a recording along with a copy of the lyrics and a photo of the art. The judges will listen to the art-inspired songs and mark each one on lyrics, melody, composition and originality.
The ten highest scoring songs will be announce at the end of November and will be performed at the Showcase Final on Saturday 16th January 2020 at Leaf on Bold St where the Judges’ Award winner will be announced. The audience at Leaf will be able to vote for which song wins the Audience Favourite award.
The winning songwriters in the two categories – Judges Award and Audience Favourite – receive the following prizes:-
- Song professionally recorded by judge Jon Lawton at Liverpool’s Crosstown Studios.
- A two hour vocal or songwriting lesson, from judge Kaya Herstad Carney at Parr Street Music School.
- A cello lesson or a cello part on the song recording, from Operation Lightfoot’s Luke Moore.
“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!”
Jon Lawton, owner of Crosstown Studios and judge
The writers of the winning songs in both categories will also receive two hours of vocal coaching or songwriting support at Parr Street Music School from musician, singer, singing teacher and co-organiser of Threshold Festival Kaya Herstad Carney.
“It’s always exciting to hear what the songwriters come up with. It inspires me as an artist and it often helps me find new gems for Threshold.“
Kaya Herstad Carney
The writers of the winning songs in both categories will also receive a cello lesson or a cello part on their song recording, courtesy of musician and composer Luke Moore from Operation Lightfoot.
Liverpool Acoustic’s Graham Holland says:-
“I can’t believe this is the tenth year we’ve been running the Liverpool Acoustic Songwriting Challenge. Every year the region’s songwriters never cease to amaze me with their talent and creativity, combining their love of art and music to create something truly special. The judges Stephen Langstaff, Kaya Herstad Carney, Jon Lawton, Robert Vincent and Luke Moore really do have their work cut out to rate them all and pick a winner. I don’t envy them in the slightest!“
Judge and Patron of the Songwriting Challenge, songwriter and producer Stephen Langstaff says:
“The Liverpool Acoustic Songwriting Challenge is a great idea. For nine years I’ve watched it inspire newly emerging songwriters in our city into create some great and interesting songs. And mixing visual arts with music is always good fun too.”
The Songwriting Challenge is open to anyone of any age living in the UK. However, entrants must have visited the Liverpool City Region (Liverpool, Sefton, Wirral, St Helens, Knowsley, and Halton) between 5th September and the closing date of 4th October.
The rules and conditions of entry are available on the Songwriting Challenge website.
challenge.liverpoolacoustic.co.uk
The Liverpool Acoustic Songwriting Challenge is free to enter.
Entry to the Showcase Final in January 2021 will be by ticket, available in advance from 7th December. All profits 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.