02 May 2012 - 0 Comments

The International Songwriting Competition (ISC), the world's foremost global songwriting event, is pleased to announce its 2011 winners. ISC’s Grand Prize for 2011 is awarded to New Zealand native Kimbra for her song ‘Cameo Lover’, entered in the Pop/Top 40 category. Kimbra is the third New Zealander to win the overall Grand Prize, which ties the Kiwis with the Americans for the most ISC Grand Prize award-winning artists; Moana Maniapoto was the recipient in 2003 and Gin Wigmore in 2004. The Grand Prize winner takes home $25,000 in cash (US) and an additional $25,000 in merchandise and services.

Out of over 16,000 international entries, New Zealand artists Annah Mac, Ruby Frost, and Massad received First, Second, and Third Place accolades in their respective categories; many New Zealand artists also received Honorable Mention status in the competition.

Called “the songwriting competition to take note of,” by the New York Times, ISC was established in 2002 and awards more than $150,000 in cash and prizes to amateur and professional songwriters around the globe. Winners were selected from over 16,000 songs submitted from 112 countries worldwide. Judges included iconic artists Tom Waits, Jeff Beck, McCoy Tyner, Kelly Clarkson, Janelle Monae, Ozzy Osbourne, Lucinda Williams, Tori Amos, Wynonna, Keane, and many more. In addition to the high-profile artists, the roster of judges also included five record label presidents as well as other industry leaders, offering songwriters the unprecedented opportunity to have their music heard by influential decision-makers. See below for the complete list of judges.

Winning ISC's highest honor is New Zealand's latest export, the quirky and wonderfully eclectic artist Kimbra. Kimbra has recently exploded onto the international music charts as the featured singer on Australian artist Gotye's current #1 hit song, ‘Somebody That I Used To Know’. Her recent TV performances with Gotye on Jimmy Kimmel Live and Saturday Night Live were electrifying and introduced her to the US public, fortifying her meteoric rise to fame. Kimbra also holds the distinction of having won First Place in the Pop/Top 40 category last year in ISC for her song ‘Settle Down’.

Only 22 years old, Kimbra began writing songs and performing at the age of 10. Spending her early years gigging around her native New Zealand, it was only once Kimbra borrowed a small eight-track recorder from her school’s music department that her songwriting blossomed in earnest. Since then, she has made enormous strides in her career. Her debut album, Vows, was released in 2011 in New Zealand and Australia, and in its first week of release the album charted at #3 in New Zealand and #5 in Australia (peaking at #4 on the ARIA Charts). The album will be released in the US and Canada on May 22 with a deluxe edition released in New Zealand on May 11.

Accolades include winning the 2011 NZ Critics' Choice awards and also the Best Female Artist for ‘Cameo Lover’ at the 2011 ARIA awards.

Even at such a young age, Kimbra already possesses the maturity and musical sophistication of the mavericks she is so often compared to - from vocal legends Nina Simone and Jeff Buckley, to radicals the likes of Prince, and contemporary artists such as Björk and Janelle Monaé. With her distinctive vocals and hook-laden creative songwriting, Kimbra is rapidly establishing herself as a significant talent and a fresh and exciting new voice on the international music scene.

Candace Avery, the Founder and Director of ISC, says this of Kimbra: “We first became aware of Kimbra in 2010 when she entered ISC and won First Place in the Pop/Top 40 category with her song ‘Settle Down’. At that time we knew she was one of those artists who had it. As a songwriter, her eclectic and somewhat quirky songwriting made her stand out. As an artist, she brings her songs to life with her her unique vocal styling and compelling stage presence. We are proud to have her as our 2011 Grand Prize winner.”

In addition to the Grand Prize winner, many other deserving New Zealand songwriters also share the spotlight for winning their respective categories in ISC 2011. These winners represent diverse cultures and range from talented amateurs to seasoned songwriting veterans.

New Zealand Winners Include:

First Place Winner – Adult Album Alternative (AAA)
Anna Heiberg MacDonald (Annah Mac)

Raised on a sheep farm outside of Invercargill, First Place in the Adult Album Alternative (AAA) category is awarded to Annah MacDonald (Annah Mac) for her song “Celia.” Only 20 years old, Annah has already toured with Kelly Clarkson and The Script, and she is currently the opening act for the British pop sensation, One Direction. “Celia” is the current single from her debut album Little Stranger, which was released in September.

Second Place Winner – World Music
Opetaia Foa’i (Te Vaka)

Winning Second Place in the World Music category for the song “Lovely World” is songwriter Opetaia Foa’I of the band Te Vaka. Opetaia has been described as “one of New Zealand’s finest songwriters,” and “a true son of the Pacific,” as the recipient of the Senior Pacific Artist award in 2005. Te Vaka has been featured at various world music festivals, including the WOMAD festival in Seattle, Washington (USA). They have also been hailed by BBC as “the world’s most successful band playing original contemporary Pacific music.”

Third Place Winner  - Pop/Top 40
Jane de Jong (Ruby Frost)

Third Place in the Pop/Top 40 category for the song “Hazy” is Jane de Jong, who goes by the name of Ruby Frost. Winner of MTV’s 42Unheard competition in 2009, and since signed Universal Music, she has released two EP’s and is currently working on her debut album, Volition.

Honorable Mentions

“Free” - Amy McFarlane, Brent McFarlane (Reckless Mack) – Wellington, New Zealand – Dance/Electronica

“TheSingingBush” – Eddie Rayner (RBR) – Auckland, New Zealand – Instrumental

“Forget About Me” - Massad Barakat-Devine (Massad) – Auckland, New Zealand – Teen

2011 JUDGES

Recording Artists: Tom Waits; Tori Amos; Jeff Beck; Lucinda Williams; My Morning Jacket; Kelly Clarkson; Ozzy Osbourne; Keane; McCoy Tyner; Wynonna; Francesca Battistelli; Janelle Monae; Billy Currington; Tegan and Sara; Massive Attack; Simon Le Bon and Roger Taylor (Duran Duran); Michael W. Smith; Alejandro Sanz; Johnny Clegg; Jeremy Camp; Ray Wylie Hubbard; John Mayall; Craig Morgan; Basement Jaxx; James Cotton; Sandra Bernhard; Trombone Shorty; Robert Earl Keen; Black Francis (The Pixies); Mose Allison; Robert Smith (The Cure); Amadou & Mariam; Darryl McDaniels (Run D.M.C.); Toots Hibbert (Toots & The Maytals); and Matt Thiessen (Relient K)

Industry Executives: Monte Lipman (President, Universal Republic Records); David Massey (President, Mercury Records); Brian Malouf (VP A&R, Walt Disney Records); Bruce Iglauer (Founder/President, Alligator Records); Angel Carrasco (Sr. VP A&R, Latin America, Sony/BMG); Ric Arboit (President, Nettwerk Music Group); Anastasia Brown (Music Supervisor, FORMAT); Dr. Demento (Radio Host, The Dr. Demento Show); Allison Jones (VP of A&R, Big Machine Label Group); Steve Lillywhite (Producer); Dan Storper (President, Putamayo World Music Records and Putumayo Kids); Kim Buie (A&R and Artist Manager, Thirty Tigers); Douglas C. Cohn (Sr. VP, Music Marketing & Talent, Nickelodeon); Trevor Jerideau (VP of A&R, RCA Records); Antony Bland (Co-Owner, CandyShop Management); Steve Smith (VP of A&R, Aware Records); Leib Ostrow (Founder/CEO, Music For Little People); and Cory Robbins (Founder/President, Robbins Entertainment)

Sponsors included: Presonus, Lowden Guitars, Sennheiser, Posse, Mrs. Fields Cookies, ASCAP, Berklee College Of Music, D'Addario, Thayers, Onlinegigs, SongU.com, The Music Business Registry, SongTrust, Independent Mastering, Indie Venue Bible, George Stein, Esq., Sonicbids, Taxi, and music Submit.

ISC is now accepting entries for 2012. Go to http://http://www.songwritingcompetition.com/ for more information and an entry form.

For a complete list of 2011 ISC winners and to hear the winning songs, go to http://www.songwritingcompetition.com/winners

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