The Songwriting Prize
What is The Songwriting Prize?
Every year we host a nationwide songwriting competition, The Songwriting Prize, inviting songwriters, from all across Australia, to write and/or submit an original song in response to a mental health theme.
The Songwriting Prize judges shortlist eight songs from set groups to perform at a regional Semi Final. We have held regional Semi Finals in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, with the aim to expand to all states of Australia. The finalists, from across our Semi Finals, will then go on to perform at our Grand Final, with one winner taking out the coveted spot of The Songwriting Prize Overall Winner.
Over the years, we have seen thousands of musicians come through our songwriting competitions. Previous winners include Tempus Sun, Seb Mont, Leonie Kingdom, Velvet Bloom, NEAV and 2021’s winner; BOI.
2022 Semi Finals are here!
After preliminary, and Top 50, judging has been completed we now turn our attention to the Regional Semi Finals, taking place in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane between 16th Sep-13th Oct. The Semi Finalists will take to the stage to perform their entry, responsing to this year’s theme of “Feeling Better”.
Full lineups, and ticket links, are below for three incredible events showcasing some of Australia’s best up-and-coming artists.
Melbourne Semi Final – Friday 16th September
- Caisha Sprout – Seeing In Colour
- Charlie Wilde – Antithesis
- EIJSMA – Even If It Kills Me
- Jacqui Lumsden – System Overload
- Mathilde Anne – Dancing In The Living Room
- Matthew Gilbert – Out Of The Contempt
- Maz Green – Ten Feet Tall
- Peak Park – For Tomorrow
- Timothy Wolf – I’ll Be There
Sydney Semi Final – Friday 30th September
- Abbey Lane – Baby Steps
- Anirban Jee – Move Out
- Dary Doe – Baby You’ll Be Fine
- Ella Powell – Along The Way
- Jess Spahr – Warrior
- Machine On A Break – Magic Pill
- NeonHoney – Holding Space
- Tina Rez – So Fine
- Turpentine Babycino – Wage Gap
Brisbane Semi Final – Thursday 13th October
- Aspy Jones – Hush
- Folkestone Avenue – How To Be Alone
- Jaylien – Devil’s Embrace
- Jess Irvine – Electricity
- Kaypo – Little Love
- Rae Leigh – Love Me
- Sam Syrah – I Know You Know
- SAMMM. – Stronger Now
For Songwriters
Over the past five years, thousands of songwriters have submitted their songs for the competition. The Songwriting Prize is the first competition in Australia with a mental health focus, so we encourage artists to be raw, vulnerable and write something to reflect each years’ theme.
We welcome songs from all genres and categories. Songs might be just lyrics, music, or both. We do not judge based on the quality of the recording, or the performance, but on the songwriting itself, and its relation to the theme.
The theme for the 2022 competition is “Feeling Better” and entries closed on 17th Jul 2022.
For Music Fans
After the preliminary round is completed each year, we invite you to attend one of our regional Semi Finals across various locations in Australia, and also to our Grand Final, to show your support for emerging artists performing at their most vulnerable.
Each event will feature each shortlisted song, being performed live by the songwriter or another musician. Our events have been described as “supportive”, “spell-binding” and “healing”. Be prepared for a night of community building, togetherness and incredible music.
Where words fail, music speaks. -Hans Christian Andersen