Get to know the SAYS23 finalists in the International 13-18 years old category
This year’s Song Academy Young Songwriter competition attracted nearly 1,000 entries from aspiring young songwriters aged 8-18 across the world, both experienced young songwriters and those who’ve written their first song. The judges were extremely impressed with the originality, creativity & musical bravery of the songs. We interviewed each of the finalists to get to know them and learn more about how they write songs. We’ll add more profiles as we receive them. Stay tuned!
RUBY ARCHER – ‘SHIVER’
What inspired you to write your finalist song? I use music to channel emotion, and every song I had written prior to Shiver was sad and depressing. My intention was to write a happy song, even though Shiver was written from a sad place; it’s about unrequited love, and the feeling or “shiver” you get being around someone unattainable. I tried something new when I wrote this song by putting a jazzy groove to it. It was interesting to combine the emotion behind the song with musical elements not generally thought of as “sad” as it created a totally new meaning and perspective.
What got you into writing songs? I have been involved in music my whole life as my family is very musical. I sang in choirs, learned orchestral percussion, playing in orchestras and ensembles for a few years. I started piano and vocal lessons with a jazz musician, and it seemed to be a great fit for me. I found my comfortable place as a singer songwriter where piano is core to my song writing process. The main reason I started writing songs was because it helped me to express myself, it gave me a pathway to explore emotional issues that I was experiencing as a young teenager. It also helped me get a better sense of my identity. Over time, I realised I could create something unique with song writing that reflected who I really was, that I didn’t have to be like everyone else to be acceptable.
What does song writing mean to you? No matter what is going on in my life, I feel like I have something to fall back on that will create something beautiful out of something painful. Song writing comes from a hidden place in my subconscious, and I have found it to be a wiser place than my conscious self. I trust in it, so I write intuitively and then once I have written the song, I can reflect on it. It’s like a third person perspective on something I am dealing with, and it can give me a new perspective and good advice. I really trust in the wisdom of my song writing process and it has helped me in my many challenges with my mental health.
What is your favourite part of the song writing process? My favourite part is when it is fresh and raw and it’s just me and the song I’ve written. It’s a really special and private moment before I share my music with anyone else.
How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? I might start a song after being inspired by a melody or chord progression that comes to my mind, or it could be something that I am dealing with in my private life that I need to channel into music. If the two things happen at the same time, then that’s ideal.
Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. I wrote Shiver purely with piano and vocals and recorded it as a solo artist last year. Since then, I formed a band (Ruby and the Groovy Doobies) and we won YouthRock 2022 (a band competition in NSW Australia.) As part of the prize, we got to record 3 tracks at Mainstreet Studios in Wollongong. I included Shiver as it had evolved so much since last year as I had evolved so much as a musician. Shiver now has more of a jazzy feel and incorporates a lot more character from the band members. I have also developed more confidence on the keyboard and used improvisation in the recording to make it feel fresh and interesting. The intention in the recording was to capture a full, and live sound as that is where the band has impacted on my development as a song writer and performer.
Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? Amy Winehouse (sigh) Genesis Owusu, Jacob Collier, Florence + the Machine, Amyl and the Sniffers, Snoop Dog, Tim Minchin, Elton John.
What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? Full sends, no half sends. It’s great to know that there is an international community of young song writers out there and that an organisation such as Song Academy is keen to support that community. I think young song writers should take the opportunity to share their work, put themselves out there, even if you don’t win anything. The whole process of entering a song is just positive as it helps strengthen your confidence and self-belief. It’s great to feel part of a community where we are sharing our art and expression. The world needs as many musical story tellers as it can get! There’s absolutely nothing negative and no reason not to enter the competition.
· What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? I like that top industry people will listen to my songs, that young song writers have the opportunity to be heard and to get feedback and guidance. It would be awesome if this connection could facilitate opportunities for me in the future as I am keen to have a career in music as a singer songwriter, and performer, not only in Australia, but also in the UK.
AVA GRACE – ‘ASHES‘
What inspired you to write your finalist song? When I was 13-15, I struggled with a fairly severe eating disorder, along with my best friend at the time, who was in and out of mental health facilities for the same thingI wrote this song when I felt like I was nothing; I truly felt as though I had become the ashes. Through prayer and support from my family, I was able to rise out of the flames of this trial and become better than I was before. This song illustrates my pain and heartache, but also the hope and renewal I gained when I decided to change for the better.
What got you into writing songs? As a kid, I listened to a lot of music. I started putting my feelings into songs. I connected with music and wanted to create something that other people could connect to!
What does songwriting mean to you? Music creates connection, words create connection. Writing music creates connection and helps others feel a little less alone and helps them to know that someone else sees them and feels the way they do.
What is your favourite part of the song writing process? Hearing it all come together for the first time!
How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? I usually have a word or phrase that I really like and write around that.
Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. I was at a really low point in my life, struggling with an eating disorder, and it took me a lot of prayer and time to write this song. I wrote it over a few weeks, mostly writing in my room at home with a guitar or piano.
Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? Taylor Swift, Jake Scott, Lauren Daigle, The Band Camino, Kelsea Ballerini.
What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? If you’re thinking about entering this competition, take a chance and ENTER IT!! You never know what opportunities could come from just entering!
What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? I loved “Coincidence” by Lindsay Liebro, I’d love to collaborate with her!
What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? I love that it’s an international collaboration, it connects and inspires young songwriters across the world.
CLAUDIA MATEOS – ‘BURNIN UP’
What inspired you to write your finalist song? The party theme was always present. However, I had a hard time developing something different. It occurred to me to present the two perspectives on a love affair. What they were doing, feeling and thinking. It is an experience that any teenager could have experienced.
What got you into writing songs? I really enjoyed listening to music from a different perspective. Analyzing the structure, instrumental and vocals. As I play a variety of instruments, I thought it would be great to experiment with my own abilities.
What does songwriting mean to you? Songwriting, to me, means freedom of expression. It is a great way to let your thought and ideas out to others who may or may not think the same. It is a way I heal and relieves my tensions from the week.
What is your favourite part of the songwriting process? My favourite part of the songwriting process is the production. It amazes me how a small detail can change the projection of a song. It perfects the personality and quality of the work creating pleasure for the listener.
How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? I collect memories by writing them, normally in a peaceful environment. Where and how I am at that moment is very important. Being comfortable with expressing my ideas to others around me is fundamental. I usually start with the 6W Who, What, When, Where, Why, How. This method supports any initial ideas and topics I have.
Describe the setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. I worked in a studio. A room with a computer, piano and mic.
Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? In future songs, I would definitely start creating R&B music. This is why I would love to collaborate with SZA and Dua Lipa. It will be very cool to collaborate with David Guetta!
What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? It is a great experience where I can meet people with the same aspirations as me, as well as having opportunities to connect with professionals in the music industry. My tips would be to express ideas with personalities, always being yourselves.
What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? I would be very excited to collaborate with any of my colleagues since each and every one has something special.
What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? The supporting and grateful environment, as well as how it is projected to the public and the daily updates.
HARRY TOWBIN – ‘TOXIC’
What inspired you to write your finalist song? I had a low point in my life when I had a lot going on and my friend decided the best idea would be to tell me that everyone hates you, and I slowly started realizing that I was in a toxic relationship with this guy. So I made a song that people could relate too using that as inspiration, as well as using other toxic relationships which included a lot of BS.
What got you into writing songs? I always freestyle and improvised to beats, recently I started taking that seriously and decided I wanted to write it down and start expressing myself through writing as well as rapping.
What does songwriting mean to you? It means a way to get my thoughts out, it means that I can maybe make a career out of what started as a hobby.
What is your favorite part of the song writing process? When my ideas start flowing and I take a second to look at my lyrics and I just say “noice”.
How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? We start with a simple beat and then I start freestyling to see if I can get anything good out, then we find a topic and I freestyle more and I see what comes out of that.
Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. It was a studio set up with my producer Paul Sedkowski. We used a DAW called Cubase, and MIDI instruments for the backing track.
Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? A guy named Ren who’s been blowing up recently thanks to his song “Hi Ren”.
What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? Do it if you wanna see how your songwriting compares to other artists to see where you’re at, but don’t compare yourself to them but find what level you’re at and put your best in it.
What are your favorite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? I don’t have a favorite but if I had to choose it would either be either Claudia M’s the message or Rock Bottom by Claudia M. At the same time though, I like Esperanza and Keisha’s style. So if I could I would like to collaborate with all of them.
What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? It gives me a chance to show what I got. And it gives me a little competition to see what I need to improve on.
SOUTH – ‘WHITE LIE’
What inspired you to write your finalist song? I’m not entirely sure if our world’s flawed view on mental illness, especially depression, can be called an ‘inspiration’, but that’s what my song talks about. There are 2 common beliefs about depression: The first one is that it’s something to be ignored and that the person that suffers from this dreadful condition has to feel guilty for daring to have it. The second one is that it’s not a real illness, and it’s nothing a quick fix can’t solve. I could go on about reasons for which I wrote this song paragraphs on end, but the main idea is simple: “White Lie” is meant to spread the message that mental health matters more than people like to admit it does.
What got you into writing songs? Since I was little I’ve always been surrounded by music, and for as long as I can remember, whenever I saw people smile after listening to a song, or whenever I’d feel deeply moved by a song, I’d think to myself ‘I wish I could write something like that’.
What does songwriting mean to you? I’d say it’s the only way through which I can clearly express myself so that others can understand what I’m saying; it’s my way to share a story or an emotion I have with the rest of the world.
What is your favourite part of the song writing process? I think that sometimes the most enjoyable part of the song writing process is the process itself. There’s nothing quite as satisfying as watching a thought turn into a full song and then getting to listen to the final piece you created – No matter how much I write, it never stops being exciting!
How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? I’m the type of person that avoids sitting down and forcing myself to write, over the years, I’ve noticed that nothing good comes out of it. Song ideas or the ‘spark’ to write a song comes as it pleases, sometimes for no specific reason at all and other times because certain events in my life just ‘create’ it.
Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. I don’t really have a setup, all I used was a piano (to figure out the tonality of the piece and its chords), a laptop (to write the lyrics and the instrumental), and my phone (to record the vocals).
Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? It’s hard to name only one since there are many artists, bands, and classical composers that have inspired me throughout my life and whom I’d be honoured to even just meet, but if I had to say only one name it’d have to be Måneskin. Their music just speaks to me: It’s bold, it’s recognizable and it stands out in comparison to the songs of many other artists and bands nowadays.
What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? I’d definitely tell them to go for it – You have nothing to lose yet so much to gain. Sharing your music with others, whether it’s through a competition or not, means you’ve already finished the hardest part about writing a song; publishing it. When it comes to tips, I believe the best tip I can give to anybody that wants to enter the competition is to not stress themselves about the production quality. At the end of the day, a good song is a good song even without all of the studio effects and the backing vocals.
What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? While I enjoyed listening to all entries from this year’s competition, if I had to pick my favourite one I’d pick “Her” by Mara Fischer; for me, lyrics are the centrepiece of good songs and I believe her lyrics are well thought out and written, additionally, the melody is just so beautiful, I can’t stop listening to it. As for choosing an artist to collaborate with, there are so many good entrants this year that I simply wouldn’t know who to pick!
What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? I like the fact that it’s actually only about the quality of your song, not about the production or how good of a voice you have. I also appreciate the countless opportunities they offered to their contestants including aiding them with the songwriting process and offering them constructive feedback regarding their music.
UNA ROULSTON – ‘THIS’
What inspired you to write your finalist song? My thirteenth and fourteenth birthdays.
What got you into writing songs? I’ve loved music in all forms since I started choir at five.
What does songwriting mean to you? This is my first song, so get back to me with that question in a few years!
What is your favourite part of the song writing process? Thinking up the tune.
How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? A few lines came into my head.
Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. I composed it with my ukulele, then tried out Musescore (a free download) for score notation.
Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? Beach Bunny or Mitski.
What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? Hey, it’s worth a try even if you’ve never written a song before.
What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? I’ve only just heard the news so I haven’t had a chance to listen yet!
What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? I really appreciated the chance to get detailed feedback on how I could make this song – and future songs – better.
PEDRO GIOMO NETO – ‘CYAN’
What inspired you to write your finalist song? So, Cyan is actually the last song I wrote for my third album “Paranoia”. I was finishing up the album on an evening in August and I picked up my guitar just to jam around. I was actually playing Kilby Girl by the Backseat lovers when I came up with the main riff for the song, and from there it just flowed magically. 20 minutes later and the whole song was written! I tried to convey in the song a similar situation to the one I was facing at the time, with the feeling of not belonging anywhere, feeling lonely and left out, a victim of your own thoughts and the struggle to live life as it is, but still with some hope remaining inside.
What got you into writing songs? I fell in love with music at a very young age, due to growing up in a household that listened to music 24/7. When I was 5, I entered a music conservatory in Brazil and started learning classic piano, and this really helped me shape what I wanted to do in life, which is music. Throughout the years, a growing desire to write my own songs and perform them led to me releasing my debut album in December 2020 called “Mistakes”. Inspired by my heroes as a kid such as Queen, Bee Gees, Pink Floyd and Metallica, I wanted to create something meaningful and that spoke to the hearts of people, and that’s what inspired me the most to become the musician I am today.
What does songwriting mean to you? For me, songwriting is the pathway to conveying messages and feelings that cannot be expressed by words alone. It is a way to produce artistic pieces which will connect to different people and cause an impact on them.
What is your favourite part of the song writing process? From my experience, the most fulfilling part of my songwriting process is when you do a first run-through of the song. That’s when I usually feel the biggest spark and decide on whether I love the song or not. It is my favourite part because it really helps me think of a final product and also helps me see the potential of the songs I write.
How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? For me it usually starts with me messing around with the guitar until I find something that sounds alright, and this leads to me developing it and trying to find a melody to accompany it. Once I start humming the melody while playing, there’s a point where I just think of some lyrics to accompany it on the spot and that’s how the spark usually appears. If I see something is promising then I finish it and record it. If not, I may just make a voice note of it in case I want to revisit it in the future :)
Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. Well, for Cyan, I used my classic setup I’ve gathered through the years to record everything. I have an old condenser which I really love recording with, a nice semiacoustic guitar, a telecaster for some of the leads and an electric bass that I borrowed from a friend to get the songs done. I usually write my drum parts on the drum kit and try to replicate it with midi. For the electronics, I have a Focusrite interface I’ve been using for a while and a small guitar amp, which I used to get the kind of “feedback” sound of the guitar from, and worked perfectly for me!
Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? Although I am a diehard fan of Metallica, my dream artist to collaborate with would definitely be Mac Demarco. There are a lot of similarities in the song making process that I believe would make a collaboration extremely nice and fulfilling.
What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? It really is worth the try! I found out about the competition through a former teacher who has really helped my career grow, and I decided to shoot my shot. My tips for them is to really choose the song which you think is your best one and make sure it’s nicely recorded. Having a nicely recorded song can really make a difference when weighing in all the factors, and can help you get further!
What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? My favourite other entry for this year is definitely “Blessing” by John Dionisio. The way the song flows and the lyrics of it really touched me, and I am so happy that it made it to the 30 finalists! I would love to collaborate with John, and I feel like something great could come from it.
What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? My favourite aspect of it is how every person who sent an entry had the chance to be on the spotlight at least for a little bit in the Song Academy socials. I feel like this is very important for the development of other young artists like myself and can serve as an incentive to keep going and continue producing music.
VICKY GAO – ‘LAST DAY BEING 17’
What inspired you to write your finalist song? I began envisioning my song “last day being 17” when my childhood best friend turned 18. At the time, I was still 17 and had about a year left before I turned 18, so I wrote the song with the expectation of the perspective I anticipated having when I did turn 18. The song is an ode to the dual nature of reminiscing and feeling uncertain about getting older, particularly at the milestone of leaving the known boundaries of childhood.
What got you into writing songs? Ironically, I started writing songs during one of the most hectic times of my life—junior year of high school. It was and is a creative outlet that allows for me to process things going on in my life and in the world and pushes me to reflect authentically and profoundly.
What does songwriting mean to you? For me, songwriting is a mode of communication and human expression that invites others to share in exploring fundamental human experiences and emotion.
What is your favourite part of the song writing process? My favorite aspect of the songwriting process is developing a story or evolving a message through lyrics. I often keep a running list of potential lyrics and experiment with ideas thoroughly before fully settling on lyrics for a song.
How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? A lot of my songs are initially inspired by a controlling metaphor upon which I’ll develop a story. These metaphors are usually from strokes of inspiration late at night or when I’m thinking about how I feel about a certain situation or experience.
Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. I wrote the lyrics and chords of “last day being 17” with my piano at home over the course of about a week. At that point, I had no plans to release it or even share it with people other than my close friends. However, a couple of months later I had the opportunity to collaborate with a local producer (goodbyealex) to record and produce my song and ended up releasing it on all streaming platforms.
Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? Phoebe Bridgers
What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? I would say to take a chance and enter into the competition! I had no expectations for how I would do going into it, but it is such a great opportunity to not only get your own music out there but also to discover and get in touch with other songwriters around the world.
What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? “Coincidence” by Lindsay Liebro is so catchy and fun to listen to! I’d love to collaborate with her.
What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? I really like how open it is to anyone who is interested no matter their experience or skill level. I also really appreciate the accessibility to an international community of young songwriters!
SOFIA KEMPA – ‘THAT TINY HOUSE IN MY BRAIN’
What inspired you to write your finalist song? I was looking for writing prompts online, and I came across the prompt: Write about something from someone else’s experience. I’d never done that before, so I thought I’d give it a try. Of course, I still wanted to write something with meaning behind it, something that people could possibly relate to. So, I wrote about what it might be like for someone to be trapped in a relationship. Whether it be romantic, platonic, parental, anything. I was inspired by this idea, to write about someone practically living inside your head, and how you’re unable to get them out.
What got you into writing songs? In freshman year I was in a relationship, and Valentine’s day was coming up. So along with the gifts I got my partner, I wrote three songs for them. They were the first songs I ever fully wrote and produced, so the quality and lyrics weren’t the best. But I remember being so happy hearing the finished product for the first time. So I chased after that feeling, again and again, song after song.
What does songwriting mean to you? Songwriting is something special. Your spirit is spread out in ink. Your thoughts, feelings, and person are merged with your paper. And then sharing it with others – which is incredibly difficult to do, you might as well expose all your deepest secrets to the world. That’s what songwriting feels like to me. Every song I write feels like I’m letting everyone see my innermost secrets, the hidden things I like to keep in the corner of my mind. Although it sounds scary, there’s also bliss in it. Knowing people understand who you are is one of the best feelings to me.
What is your favorite part of the song writing process? I can name a few. Like when I come up with a line that perfectly represents what I wish to say. Or when I’m producing a backing track and I create a sound that makes me so joyful, I can’t help but smile with pride that outweighs me. And when I finally hear the finished product, the pure happiness that courses through my veins feels so fulfilling.
How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? Most of the time, I wait for a spark to happen, because I don’t like forcing words out. But, if I really want to write, I’ll look for a prompt online or ask one of my friends if they have anything they’d want to write about. I play a few chords, sing random words and melodies, and then it all comes together naturally.
Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. For writing, I had my notes app. For production, I had my computer, Garageband, my guitars, MIDI keyboard, headphones, and an interface for my guitar.
Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? Leith Ross. Hands down. Leith ross. I’m absolutely obsessed with their lyrics, musicality, sound, vocals, everything. Leith is the one artist who truly inspires me, and I aspire to make music that makes people feel the way their music makes me feel. If I ever got the chance to work with Leith Ross, I would probably pass out before I’d get the chance to say anything.
What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? Do you have any tips for them? I’d tell them to do their best, and to trust themselves. Whatever they submit for judging, they should just be proud that they were brave enough to enter their art. I’d also tell them to enter other contests, which’ll give them more opportunities if they win.
What are your favorite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? I really loved “Slip Away” by Scarlett Elise and “Cyan” by Pedro Giomo. I was so intrigued by their sounds, it would be so cool if I got the chance to work with them.
What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? I think the main thing I love about this competition is that it’s international! It provides opportunities for young artists all around the world, not just in one fixed place.
LINA SKALLI – ‘SO HARD’
What inspired you to write your finalist song? To be frank, my inspiration came from wanting to turn these emotions and “ugly” feelings into something I could be proud of, something pretty that might help me make sense of my emotions along the way. I felt betrayed and isolated at the time and couldn’t help but tie a connection to the relationships around me. Finally, I chose to write a song describing just how real but also petty, and a little bit over the top an average teenage girl could be.
What got you into writing songs? Song writing is like therapy made easy. I get to pour everything that weighs on me out and put in melodies. I’ve always had such a deep and heavy passion for all kinds of music that making my own has become my therapy. Every step of the way has taught me more about myself.
What does songwriting mean to you? Songwriting, to me, means taking control of my rabid thoughts in a way. It’s like taking ownership of all the craziness you feel is out of your control. I love writing my songs because when in the process, I realise that despite my honestly, my words remain relatable and that brings me closure in a way.
What is your favourite part of the song writing process? My favorite part of the songwriting process is definitely when I find the rawest and most honest and even sometimes embarrassing thing to say, but proceed to give it a cute melody. I love the irony of it all and the universe I create in my mind along the way. I just love how wide and tangible the world of music is.
How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? To write a song, I usually start my identifying what mood or atmosphere I am feeling to dig for a vibe. Once I’ve done that I decide to look at all the things that are currently weighing me down which could come from the past, future, or present. I think of a nostalgic memory or so and picture a story. To put it in short, I romanticise an experience of mine and write it down from the perspective of someone I would never introduce to my friends. Someone absolutely delusional, straight out of a movie.
Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. I used the studio which collaborates with our school and is run by a professional writer/producer who mentors me, where I go to once a week in order to develop my songwriting skills. In there we’ve got the basic equipment such as a sound proof room, a mic, and a computer where we write down ideas.
Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? A dream artist to collaborate with would be Melanie Martinez or Lana del Rey as they shaped who I was from early childhood, my taste rapidly shifted to rap and r&b so Frank Ocean would be my most current dream collab, but they remain massively significant in my life.
What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? I would tell them to just go for it! You can only gain from the experience and there isn’t much to lose either. As long as you’ve submitted work you’re proud of and that depicts who you want to be seen as a songwriter, you’ve already surpassed yourself.
What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? I would love collaborating with Harry Towbin one day as his song has originality and I love that in an artist! I also never collaborated with any male or rapper in general in music and just think it would make such a fun experience.
What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? I love that this competition allows for such a big opportunity. I’m very grateful to have even gotten into quarterfinals and genuinely feel so pleased to be part of the whole process. I think it’s just so nice to have such an inclusive and open occasion for this wide range of ages to shine and gain confidence along the way.
CLAIRE KETELHOHN – ‘DECEMBER’
What inspired you to write your finalist song? The song December came from a place of mourning. It was initially about the loss of the magic that holidays always seem to have when you’re a kid, but at its core it’s mourning the loss of childhood itself. I wrote it all in one day in the middle of December when I realized I couldn’t get myself to be as happy as I thought I should be.
What got you into writing songs? Coincidentally, I also started playing guitar in a December, specifically December 2019. After obsessively listening to Everything You’ve Come to Expect by The Last Shadow Puppets, I decided I had to learn guitar. Something in that album just picked me up and shook me. My sister gave me her old guitar and taught me some basic chords. The following spring I wrote my first song. It was seven minutes long and all over the place, but I’ve been able to scrap it for parts since then. It was just something that happened; I never questioned it. It felt as natural as learning to walk.
What does songwriting mean to you? Songwriting is more of a journal than I’ve ever had. I’ve never been able to commit myself to the constant entries a diary warrants––regardless of how many times I’ve tried––but songwriting managed to become a daily activity. It’s documentation and expression, as well a portal to somewhere else when I need it to be.
What is your favourite part of the song writing process? When the idea first hits and it really hits you, and you can’t stop writing words––that sort of frenzy is definitely the best part.
How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? Each song is a unique case. The spark can start from a feeling, from a melody, or from a chord. Often, for me, it starts from a phrase; a sentence or two I want to build something around.
Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. I kept my setup for this song quite minimal: just me and my guitar for the writing, then the addition of a Blue Yeti USB microphone and my mac for the recording.
Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? Most of my dream musicians to collaborate with are dead, I’m afraid. If I could bring them back, I think it’d be Jeff Buckley or Leonard Cohen. Of those still with us, I have to say Stevie Nicks, though I don’t know if I’d be able to get any real songwriting done, since I’d be too busy telling her what an honor it is to work with her.
What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? My advice is two-fold. First, don’t write anything with the sole intention of winning––write something because you mean it. Second, don’t let nerves or self-doubt get in the way of sending in your song; It’s an amazing opportunity to be heard and you shouldn’t let yourself by held from that, even by your own fears.
What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? Are you gonna love me? by Noah Robertson has a lovely sound but manages to keep a certain edge in a cool way. The start of HAND by Frederic Thesinger is something I find so enticing melodically. Still my favorite is probably Oak tree by Jayden Pope; it feels like something I could grow old to in a way I really love. I think I could make something really good with any of these songwriters; all three have the kind of sound I like and an ability for production that I lack and would benefit from. I think we could all elevate what we’re doing with some collaboration.
What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? I like how open its doors are. With the lack of bias towards the recording quality of each song, I feel it broadens its scope to a lot of really good songwriters that could otherwise be overlooked simply because they have less resources.
SEASIDE FEELS – ‘WAITING IN LINE’
What inspired you to write your finalist song? We usually start with some lyrics, in this case the chorus which we thought was catchy, and built around that.
What got you into writing songs? It’s just something we’ve always done together. It’s fun and helps us process things.
What does songwriting mean to you? Songwriting is very important to us, as a form of self expression. We play a lot of gigs in our home town, Dubai, and find that audiences want to hear original music, not endless covers. So songwriting means we get more bookings too!
What is your favourite part of the song writing process? The initial idea and playing with different melodies for the chorus.
How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? Usually in the evening when we are getting ready for bed, an idea sparks. Much to our parents’ annoyance!
Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. We write in a very low tech way, with a note pad and acoustic guitar, basically. As it develops into a viable song, we record it on a phone, just so we have the components. Eventually it comes together and we record it on the Ableton Live home studio.
Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? The Paper Kites write some really beautiful songs, we’d love to work with them.
What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? Do it! There is something very special about receiving encouragement and support from experts in their field. Song writing can be quite a lonely experience and to have that feedback is hugely valuable. Choose your best song and enter that, produce the best version of it you can. Rather than half a dozen all recorded quickly on your phone. Put time and effort into the production.
What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? Honestly we are in awe of all of the entries and acts. It would be a great laugh to hang with them and write and perform together!
What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? We like that it is well run, we know exactly what is asked of us and we feel it has gravitas.
SUMMER BRENNAN – ‘BILLBOARD CITY’
What inspired you to write your finalist song? I wanted to write a song about overcoming insecurities and anxieties concerning what other people thought of me.
What got you into writing songs? I attended a songwriting camp in 2019, and during Covid I channelled all my time and energy into it.
What does songwriting mean to you? Songwriting allows me to be my authentic self and express my feeling and thoughts in a creative way.
What is your favourite part of the song writing process? My favorite part is when you are deep in the story and invested in that emotion and how the song develops from it.
How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? I find that spark through an emotional experience or sitting in my room fiddling with my keyboard.
Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. I used my keyboard to develop and write the song, then took it to a friend who is a producer to help me record it.
Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? Taylor Swift. She is the most talented writer of my generation.
What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? Don’t try to be anyone else; stay authentic to who you are is much better than trying to mimic another artist.
What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? Cyan by Pedro Giomo is a really cool song. Loved the production too.
What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? I like that it’s open to all ages and countries. Song Academy offers lots of support to upcoming songwriters. I really appreciate the community it cultivates.
JESSI JOY VILLA – ‘AIR’
What inspired you to write your finalist song? I wanted others to understand how important poetry is to me and how connected I feel writing it. I wanted to tell people that it’s not as simple as writing some words down and hoping that it rhymes. It’s more about understanding your emotions and reflecting on how you acted based on those emotions or situations for that matter.
What got you into writing spoken poetry? What got me into poetry was because I wanted to express the importance of poetry and how it has helped me through life. Poetry is my voice because since I’m premature, my voice is very low and people can barely hear me when I speak, so poetry became a way for me to be heard but without the strain of having to project my voice.
What does poetry/songwriting mean to you? Writing poetry means the world to me. It was away from me to escape since I didn’t have many friends or sometimes any at all. I was bullied quite a lot so it was a way to empower myself and tell myself that… one day you will be heard and be an inspiration for other people that struggle with being understood.
What is your favorite part of the spoken poetry process? My favorite part about this process was when I heard my own voice on the recording, thanks to Paul Sedkowski, my producer. It was powerful to me because I finally realized that you don’t have to change yourself to be heard. For a long time I thought that I would never be understood or listened to but once I heard my own voice I realized Even if a crowd doesn’t give you the time of day, there will always be that one person that relates to you and understands your struggle.
How do you usually start a spoken poem? How do you find that spark? I usually find the spark by mentally walking through my life and seeing if I can write something that future me would look back on and say “Look at what you wrote a year ago, and look at where you are now. You’re a fighter and you’re loved, good job:”
Describe your setup that you use to write your #SAYS23 entry. I wrote my poetry then I went to the studio, put music in the background of it, to I wrote a poem then I went to the studio and we started adding music and sounds until I came to the Final cut.
Who would you be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? I would love to collaborate with Halsey! Even though a lot of songwriters dig deep into the emotions when they’re writing music, I feel like she really touches my heart when I hear her music.
What would you say to someone aged 8 to 18 who was thinking about entering the Song Academy young songwriter competition next year? The only tip I would give is: Write what makes you feel happy and right what makes you feel unique, don’t please other people because in the end you are the person that has to live with that piece of writing for the rest of your life whether you regret it or not.
What are your favorite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the others entries would you like to collaborate with? One of my favorite entries is from Esperanza G. “Feel Good” because it’s very positive and upbeat. Another one that I really liked is Keisha S. “Sumpin” because I like the harmony of the song. But the one I would like to collaborate with is Esperanza G. because I really like that it’s very positive and uplifting and helps others feel good with you.
What do you like about the Song Academy young songwriter competition? I like that it gives us a chance to really challenge us to be the best writers and best versions of ourselves that we can be.
ANDREI SERBAN – ‘(I LIKE YOUR) GREEN EYES BABY’
What inspired you to write your finalist song? My inspiration came from the fact that I want to be heard, I want to be a pleasure for the listener and I want everybody to know me and my music.
What got you into writing songs? My desire to discover and create new things, not just listening to a song, more like finding my own style.
What does songwriting mean to you? It means a way of expressing myself and giving my emotions to people and making them vibe to my music.
What is your favourite part of the song writing process? I really enjoy the process of an idea, starting from scratch and writing the song bit by bit makes me stay stuck on the piano making the whole thing.
How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? I usually start writing a song on piano and as I go through it and thinking more at some point the good idea strikes.
Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. I used my piano, my voice, my microphone and a music software which I learnt from youtube.
Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? I would really like to collaborate with Ed Sheeran, Charlie Puth and Bruno Mars. These are my favorite musicians.
What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? A piece of advice I’ll give them will be to write the best song they can write, show it to everyone, post it and never give up on their dreams no matter how hard the road is.
What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? The problem is that I don’t know how I can listen to the other songs but I’m sure I might find someone to collaborate with.
What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? I believe that this competition is a great opportunity to be seen and maybe get into people’s attention. Who knows? I really think it’s great.
SCARLETT ELISE – ‘SLIP AWAY’
What inspired you to write your finalist song? I wrote Slip Away when I was about to leave for college, and I was feeling a sense of urgency to find out if the guy I liked felt the same way about me. It often seemed like he liked me back, but I wasn’t certain, and I felt as if I needed a definite answer before I could move on and leave for college.
What got you into writing songs? I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t writing songs. I used to record little melodies into my iPod and write lyrics in my notes app and in journals, and I would perform them for my family. More recently, I’ve been writing songs way more frequently because I’ve found that if I can put my feelings and heartbreak into words and melodies, it’s much easier to understand and cope with.
What does songwriting mean to you? Songwriting means so much to me, because it’s my method of understanding my own complicated feelings and it’s my way of coping with the world. I also love sharing my thoughts and feelings through song, as I feel like it can unite people and allow them to realize that they’re not alone. I don’t know what I would do without songwriting. It’s been a wonderful gift from the Lord.
What is your favorite part of the song writing process? My favorite part of the songwriting process is right when you finish writing the first verse and chorus, and you feel such a sense of satisfaction and release. That point of the song is when you know if it’s going to be a good song or not, and it’s such a wonderful feeling when you step back and listen to it again, realizing that you just captured exactly what you were feeling and you finally feel as if your thoughts have been untangled!
How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? I usually start a song when I’m feeling overwhelmed by a certain feeling or confused by my own thoughts, and I’ll sit down at the piano and begin playing around with chord progressions until I find something that matches what I’m feeling and the lyrics begin to flow!
Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry: I originally wrote the song on piano, then my friend helped me by embellishing the chord progression on his guitar. Then, we went to a recording studio at the home of the talented Zach Luper, and after hours and hours of recording, we had the finished product!
Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? I would love to collaborate with Jenna Raine or Lily Williams or Haley Joelle!! They’re all so very talented!!
What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? I would definitely recommend entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition, because it’s a great opportunity to get your music heard by an encouraging community of young songwriters who have very similar goals to your own!! Plus, it doesn’t feel like your regular competition because the contestants as well as those in charge of the competition are very kind and encouraging throughout the entire process!
What are your favorite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist) would you like to collaborate with? I would love to collaborate with Ava Grace who wrote the amazing song, Ashes!! She is so very talented and has a beautiful voice and meaningful lyrics! Everyone did such a lovely job though, and it’s so inspiring to witness so many young people writing music!
What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? I love the fact that this competition is looking for the quality of the songwriting rather than just the production quality or the instrumentation. I also love how encouraging everyone has been to each other throughout the course of the competition so far!
MIA BENITA – ‘FIRE’
What inspired you to write your finalist song? It was a first love heartbreak
What got you into writing songs? Because I love to express my thoughts and ideas in song
What does songwriting mean to you? At my tender age of 14 I think it’s a BIG chunk of my life
What is your favourite part of the song writing process? All of it, from first lines in a notepad or voice recorder to finalizing the song in studio
How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? I think that it begins with my moments in life, be it sadness and it’s reason for being or happiness with it’s butterflies and joy
Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. Was going through the heartbreak and had to find a way to express myself and in a almost therapeutic flow it voiced my pain at the time…music and song are powerful tools in finding your voice of expression
Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? Wow!…tough one, so many…I guess I’d have to mention 4 – Alicia Keys, Sia, H.E.R. and Raye
What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? I’d say…if you like expressing yourself through song – just do it. Tips: Don’t fear emotional output, write from the heart, write it for you
What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? That’s really difficult to answer…but all I can say is that everyone that has made it this far would be an interesting contender for a collab, there’s so much incredible talent :)
What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? I think that it’s an absolutely amazing opportunity that they give young songwriters to put their works on a large communications platform and gives them the opportunity to be heard. Great job #SAYS23.
JAKE MURDOCH – ‘BEE-SIDE’
What inspired you to write your finalist song? My passion is SDG’s and Bees are in real danger at the moment.
What got you into writing songs? In the beginning I co-wrote my first song with a producer and then gained the confidence to write on my own. The greatest honour in the world is to have co written a yet to be released song with the co founder and main songwriter Mr Andrew Farriss from the band INXS.
What does songwriting mean to you? Songwriting gives me the ability to express my emotions and things that I am passionate about.
What is your favourite part of the song writing process? I enjoy thinking of the story of the song and what I am going to write about.
How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? I start a song by finding a good melody on the guitar and then make the lyrics.
Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. Because I am passionate about saving the bees and have the knowledge of what is happening to them it was easy to write the lyrics. During the recording process the producer and I changed some of the chorus around and some words in the verses to make them better.
Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? I already have written with my dream co writer and hope to continue writing with Andrew. We are regularly in touch and he is just an absolute genius musician and songwriter. Oh and he is the most humble and nicest man as well.
What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? Go for it. The support for young people is incredible. My tips would be is stay true to yourself. Be yourself!
What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? I wouldn’t mind collaborating with someone from a different country than me as that would be very exciting and perhaps use multilingual. I sing in 3 different languages now so a forth would be exciting for me.
What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? I like the opportunity it gives young people and the encouragement is awesome.
LINDSAY LIEBRO – ‘COINCIDENCE’
What inspired you to write your finalist song? I was inspired by my own delusions :)
What got you into writing songs? I grew up looking up to Taylor Swift, so by the time I was in 2nd grade, I wrote my first song and haven’t looked back since!
What does songwriting mean to you? It means absolutely everything to me. Without it, I don’t know how I would process my emotions or be able to explore different perspectives through song.
What is your favourite part of the songwriting process? My favorite part is sharing it with other people and seeing how it connects to them. It is such an honor to be able to have that shared experience with others and to make people feel those emotions.
How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? So one fun thing about me is that there is always something for me to be delusional about, so I basically never run out of ideas. Usually, I’ll grab my guitar, start playing a progression, and go with whatever lyric ideas come out of my mouth first.
Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. I wrote the first verse and chorus of “Coincidence” in my bedroom. When my label said they liked it and that it should be my next single, I finished the rest in an hour. Then I worked remotely with a producer to create the track, and I recorded vocals with the awesome Lauren DeMichiei in Pittsburgh.
Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? Mother Taylor (Swift) <3333
What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? I would say that even if you are just thinking about it, go for it! Write from the heart and have fun with it.
What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? I really loved “Billboard City” by Summer Brennan! I’d love to collab with her!
What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? I really like how it brings musicians from all over the world together!
SWAGSOCKS – ‘JELLYMAN’
What inspired you to write your finalist song? It is a feministic song about a guy that we call Jellyman. He is a popular guy and even if he behaves really badly all the girls love him. We were inspired by some guys in our school and how they are ”getting away” with anything and still the girls love them.
What got you into writing songs? We started playing the violine at 5 years of age, we LOVE all sorts of music, singing and dancing and have been in several musicals ( Annie, Sound of music etc). We have always wanted to have our own popgroup so we started our popgroup ” Swagsocks ” a year ago, downloaded Logic and started composing and learning the software through youtube clips. We have realised that it is so easy and fun writing music and so far we have released four songs.
What does songwriting mean to you? It means EVERYTHING! This is what we want to do when we grow up. We love composing together, recording, mixing and completing a full song.
What is your favourite part of the song writing process? When you realise that the song is ”coming together” that it is actually becoming a full pop song.
How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? We usually start with a chord on the piano or a sample from splice, we then present it to eachother and get an approval from eachother to continue. We do a lot together.
Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? Bruno Mars, the Beegees ( if they were active), Jamirquai, Stevie Wonder.
What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? Make sure to listen to your recording several times, ask friends what they think before you master it. Do you have all the important parts in the song? Is the sound ”fresh” and innovative?
What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? We really like ” I like your green eyes baby” by Andrei Serban. It is a fun, catchy and up-tempo beat. We love fun songs that you can dance to and that has some funk to them.
What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? That any person can take part in the competition in the world and that people from different cultures can meet through the music they create.
NOAH ROBERTSON – ‘ARE YOU GONNA LOVE ME’
What inspired you to write your finalist song? My song ‘Are you gonna love me’ is a song about future love. It’s really about how the scenario might play out in years to come.
What got you into writing songs? Listening to music from my favourite musicians and playing music inspires me to writing songs.
What does songwriting mean to you? I love listening to lyrics and their meanings. It’s sometime like a puzzle, finding the best pieces and fitting them into the idea to create a great story through music.
What is your favourite part of the song writing process? Song writing for me always starts with my guitar and a melody. I love writing and composing music and then wrapping lyrics around it.
How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? Sometimes the spark just comes from the music component and I go from there. The lyrics are sometimes what is happening at the present time, sometimes it’s creating possible scenarios about the future and sometimes it’s just an idea or concept inspired by life or others around me.
Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. My set up is just my guitar and notebook. Once I had the melody and lyrics I moved to my pedal board, plugged in my amp and worked on the solo.
Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits), John Mayer and Paul McCartney. That would be mind blowing!
What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? I say…Just do it! Write it – share it!
What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? Roe Byrne – Set me on fire.
What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? I love how the competition values young people and their creations.
FRÉDÉRIC THESIGER – ‘HAND’
What inspired you to write your finalist song? I was with my friend when I wrote this song. He was going through a tough time in his life (in terms of relationships) and I knew I had to help. So I proposed writing a song. He had never written before and yet, like magic, in 15 minutes we wrote one of my favourite songs to date.
What got you into writing songs? I’ve wanted to be a songwriter since I could speak! However, the true moment of realisation for me is when I first heard Elvis Presley at 6 years of age. I was truly blown away by what exceptional music can achieve, and that passion has only gotten stronger since.
What does songwriting mean to you? It means everything to me. Truly. I can’t go through any good, bad or confusing times without writing a song about it. It’s how I’ve always functioned. Apparently I was writing songs as a three year old!
What is your favourite part of the song writing process? My favourite part of the song writing process is coming up with a lyric or a melody that you really love, when you achieve the difficult task of expressing the contents of your soul in a way which feels almost completely perfect…no other feeling could surmount that, at least not for me.
How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? When I’m ready to write a song I can feel it. I like to think I’m in tune (pun intended) with my creative self. When I feel ready to write a song, I will let myself slip into the mood of it and begin writing. You will only achieve your best work if you listen closely to what your body tells you.
Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. My setup was rather simple. I bought a microphone (Shure SM7b) and built my own acoustic booth, for the vocals. For the guitar I went to my school’s music department and recorded the guitar with a microphone and a laptop. Only the drums were recorded ‘professionally’. It is definately possible to make a really great home-studio sound with the right equipment and by using my production knowledge I managed to smooth out any flaws in the audio.
Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? There are so many musicians and bands that I respect so much but to work with Jacob Collier would be the biggest honour of all. Having gone to one of his concerts, I can certainly confirm that Jacob Collier is quite simply a genius. I would love to learn how he explores the language of music in such an unbelievably unique and astounding way. I would, it must be said, also love to work with the lyrical genius that is Kendrick Lamar, one day.
What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? There is no such thing as being born as a great musician, you’re born with the drive to become great. So work hard, accept failures and most importantly listen to feedback, it’s all about improving yourself. If you can refine and exercise that creative muscle and get more comfortable with your artistic self, then nothing can stop you.
What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? Whilst there were so many great entries, I felt Ruby Archer’s on ‘Shiver’ had really great vocals and some really interesting production, I really enjoyed that entry. I also enjoyed Summer Brennan’s entry too, once again som really brilliant vocals are displayed in that song. Finally, I very much appreciated Sofia Kempa’s production value in ‘That tiny house in my brain’. Needless to say, I would love to collaborate with all these artists, working with musicians is likely the best way to develop and grow as a musician.
What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? Giving an opportunity for young and up-and-coming artists is truly admirable, having these competitions is very helpful to allow musicians to evolve, as well as be given a chance to get the recognition they deserve. I appreciate the ‘Song Academy Young Songwriter Competition’ a lot for that very reason.
JOSH DIONISIO – ‘BLESSING’
What inspired you to write your finalist song? For this song, I believe I just wanted to encapsulate that powerful, yet somewhat indescribable feeling of having an immense adoration and love for someone. One that feels distinctive from anything one has ever felt before. Often, we feel incredible amounts of gratitude to receive blessings in our life and simultaneously, a duty to make the most of it and cherish it with all of our hearts. In similarity, it doesn’t matter what it takes or how long it takes to make that person a significant part of your life because you are sure this individual is tailored and meant to be in your life. A person that you know you want to cherish and keep. Therefore, regardless of anything you need to get through, it will be worth it all in the end. My Mum has also always repeated the principle that ‘patience is a virtue’ ever since I was little. So once I got the initial lines of the chorus — “I don’t mind waiting if I have to, cause they say patience is a virtue”, I knew I had something special to work with.
What got you into writing songs? I remember writing my first song when I was about 9 years old. It was for fun and I didn’t really think much of it. Then about a year or two later I started writing again just because of how enamoured I felt being able to put all my thoughts and feelings into a tune that could be sung. Then ever since it’s been a part of every single one of my days and is something I genuinely cannot live without anymore. Not to mention, Ed Sheeran also played an integral role when it came to finding out my love for songwriting.
What does songwriting mean to you? In continuation to my answer to the previous question, to me, songwriting is something I simply cannot live without and really, is an abundance of many beautiful things. For me, I view songwriting as a place I could consider a second home. A place where I can be my truest and most vulnerable self. My form of therapy. A friend who has no judgment, who listens and allows me to speak and sing with coherence and true emotion. Songwriting allows me to connect with people I may not even know. It gives me the opportunity to appreciate every little thing in this grand life of ours. It allows me to appreciate the art that words, alongside even the smallest set of chords can create and make people feel through their speakers or headphones, wherever, whenever, and whoever they may be. Songwriting is my muse. My safety. One of my favourite things in the world.
What is your favourite part of the songwriting process? Every single part of it. Without a doubt. The first part is just as important as the last. Just like the first lyric and the last; and the first verse and final chorus. All of it. I adore. The freedom of being able to put the rawest of thoughts and feelings into a piece of paper or notepad to form the most captivating phrases and sentences I find powerful beyond measure.
How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? Usually, I pick up my guitar, play a tune, and put down whatever it is I feel at that very moment. Inspired by Ed Sheeran, I write songs every single day. Honouring his ‘dirty tap water’ analogy, there will be days and songs that don’t sound or feel as good when writing (hence, the dirty water), but with consistency, continuation, and perseverance, clean water will soon flow from the dirty water tap and that is how you know you’ve got something special. But you’ve got to be willing to take the steps in writing those songs that don’t satisfy you as much first. Which is something I’m still working on. It’s a daily venture for improvement. All in all, It makes everything more worthwhile once even that ounce of clean water/spark/good song occurs. It’s a magnificent feeling and it only keeps me going.
Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. I was in my bedroom sat on my bed, with my guitar, laptop, and my voice recorder on with my notepad out.
Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? Without a doubt, Ed Sheeran. He is the biggest reason I do what I do. He has inspired me in multitudes and sanctioned me the realisation that this is my passion and what I love to do most. In my opinion, the greatest songwriter in the world. It would have to be Ed Sheeran, and I cannot wait to meet him.
What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? Have faith in yourself. Send your song in, don’t fear anything. You never really know. Regardless of the results, keep writing and always keep going. Always. Every song deserves to be heard. Every artist deserves to be heard. Be you. You’ve got it.
What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? Some of my favourites: October – Joey Wilbur, Everything I’ll Miss – Sofia Kempa, Heartbreak? – Faith Louise, Fourteen – Skye Bishop, Self-Esteem – Joe Goodall. Quite frankly, the opportunity to collaborate with any one of these talented artists and individuals would be a privilege and honour. Collaboration is one of the most beautiful aspects of this industry and music as a whole. Sometimes even, the more the merrier. This, may it be one, or two, three, or all of the artists I mentioned above or more; like I said, it would be an absolute privilege and honour to have any of the opportunities given to collaborate.
What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? I appreciate the invaluable opportunity it gives the youth like me, a chance to be heard and a chance to breathe even a bit of the illustrious dream of being that artist one has always dreamed of. To be heard, to be seen, to be appreciated. At least for me. The priceless opportunity the Song Academy Young Songwriter Competition has given me is one I will never take for granted.
RAE – ‘PUPPY LOVE’
What inspired you to write your finalist song? I really took inspiration from the idea of an innocent, young love; a feeling of “us against the world.” I love to write and tell the stories of people I’ve never met. By simply imagining this situation, I kept getting more ideas and was able to turn it into a beautiful love story!
What got you into writing songs? I started writing songs at 12 years old when I started playing the ukulele! Learning an instrument made writing songs so much easier and songwriting just started to click. I l really loved music and wanted to take part in making it through whatever way possible. Since then, I’ve not only worked to better myself in that skill, but I’ve grown to love it even more!
What does songwriting mean to you? Songwriting is one of my absolute favorite things to do. It’s such a great creative outlet and I love being able to make something that is my own! I also love to share those creations by collaborating and showcasing with others. I really enjoy the individuality of each person’s writing and hearing what they have to say. It’s a special experience that connects both the writer and the listener and I think it’s so cool that people with different experiences can relate to each other through lyrics and music!
What is your favourite part of the song writing process? My favorite part of the songwriting process is writing the lyrics for a chorus. I love to tie the verses together and come up with a common theme for a song!
How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? I usually start a song with a chorus! Sometimes, ideas will just come to me randomly, so I’ll write them down and use them for later. Other times, I like to take inspiration from movies and books!
Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. I originally wrote the song on my guitar. I ended up producing it with the Focusrite Scarlet Studio interface and microphone set, Yamaha keyboard, and Logic X Pro.
Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? I would love to collaborate with Noah Kahan! He’s such a fantastic writer and I love his sound.
What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? I would tell them to go for it!! It’s always so good to get feedback on your songs and put yourself out there. Enter every competition or contest you can to challenge yourself, better yourself, and learn more about your craft!
What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? Tamara Hendin’s “Hymn for the homesick kids” is one of my favorites!! Her writing is so beautiful and it fits so wonderfully with the chords she chose for that song. I feel like our writing styles are similar and I would love to collaborate with her! I would also love to collaborate with Summer Brennan. “Billboard City” is so catchy and high energy!
What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? I like that the Young Songwriter competition mainly focuses on the lyrics and composition of a song, rather than how well it’s produced. That is a very unique yet refreshing trait for a competition to have because it opens up opportunities and feedback for everyone!!
JOEY WILBUR – ‘OCTOBER’
What inspired you to write your finalist song? I wrote this song about a relationship that started in the month of October. To me, October represents a change in the seasons. The leaves turn colors, and it’s beautiful for a while, but eventually the leaves turn brown and fall off the tree. This represents how change can be both good and bad. The first verse of this song represents the beauty of October, and how I was willing to sacrifice everything in order for the relationship to work, the second verse represents the leaves turning brown, and the days getting shorter, which is the start of the impending end. The last verse represents when winter finally hits, and the beauty is completely gone.
What got you into writing songs? I started writing songs when I was about 10 years old. Me and a friend of mine had decided we were going to start a band. I began writing songs for it. None of them were very good, as anyone’s first song might be, just regurgitations of things that I had heard on the radio, but it was something I quickly grew to love and enjoy.
What does songwriting mean to you? Songwriting has become a huge part of my life. Whenever something significant happens in my life, writing songs has become a way to process the craziness of life. It has become a form of therapy for me. I have a deep appreciation for all songwriters, because it is often very difficult to share our deepest emotions that are put into the lyrics of our music. For me, I often find that I have trouble articulating exactly what I feel, so songwriting offers a way for me to say the things that words can’t.
What is your favourite part of the song writing process? This is a difficult question for me. I would have to say that my favorite part varies from song to song, and the music, melody, lyrics, and production all have significant impacts on the final production of the song. If I had to pick one, it would probably be the lyrics. I enjoy listening to songs that have deep meanings behind them, where you have to listen multiple times to truly understand the message of the song.
How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? Usually it will hit me out of nowhere. Either someone says something that sparks inspiration, or I find inspiration while deep in thought. After that I will write it down in my notes app, and begin writing about it when I get to my guitar. All of my songs start out on an acoustic guitar.
Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. I wrote, recorded, and produced all of October in my basement studio using a focusrite audio interface, a microphone, and a rubber bridge acoustic guitar that I got from a small shop in LA. The rubber bridge deafens the tone, which is kind of symbolic of the relationship dying.
Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? My dream artist to collaborate with would probably be Ed Sheeran. His music has had a lasting impact on the way I write my songs, and he wrote the first song I ever learned how to play on guitar “Thinking Out Loud” with Amy Wadge, who is a part of the judging panel for this competition, so the fact that she might be hearing my songs is kind of a starstruck moment for me. Other artists I enjoy are Jeremy Zucker, Lizzy McAlpine, Phoebe Bridgers, and The 1975.
What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? Just do it. I submitted a few of my songs last year not expecting much from it, and ended up winning. This competition really focuses on the lyrics aspect of the songwriting, which I like. If you are thinking of submitting something, submit the songs that are the most personal to you; that’s what people want to hear.
What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? My favorite entry this year would probably be “Coincidence” by Lidsay Liebro. I like the production and the instrumentation of the track along with the lyrics. She has a really cool sound that I really like.
What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? I like that this competition offers a unique opportunity for your songs to be heard. There aren’t that many competitions for just songwriting, so I really like that this competition offers that to kids all over the world
