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 and 2020’s winner; Niamh Watson.
2021 Grand Final
After five incredible regional semi finals, in Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, Sydney and Melbourne we now turn our attention to the Grand Final, taking place on Sat 22nd Jan 2022 at The Great Club in Marrickville.
Grand Final – Saturday 22nd January
- Alison Newman (SA) – Pieces Of My Pain
- Bernardine (WA) – Horizon
- BOI (NSW) – Addiction
- Eimhin (QLD) – Lately
- GOLDHEIST (NSW) – Love Letter to a Year Most Bizarre
- Heart & Home (QLD) – Little Things
- Ivoris (VIC) – Peace
- Jayden Williams (QLD) – Strangers
- Jen Lush (SA) – Gold Thread
- Jess Irvine (QLD) – Recovery
- Joan & The Giants (WA) – Just For You
- LaHi (NSW) – Mental Wars
- Nicko Steel (VIC) – Going Through The Motions
- Paige Black (VIC) – Finding Me
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 2021 competition is “Recovery”.
2020 Prizes:
The Overall Winner:
- One full day in a studio to record your winning entry professionally courtesy of Studios 301.
- 3 hour listening party in studio 2 for the winner, + friends, for an exclusive listen to the new track courtesy of Studios 301.
- 1-year access to exclusive 301 curated events including Studios 301 Socials courtesy of Studios 301.
- Single/EP release photo shoot package courtesy of RIDLEY ST.
- Courtesy of Fire Entertainment:
- A one-hour artist management strategy session
- 25% discount on all artist services INCLUDING: radio & playlist promotion, marketing, PR and Social Media Management
- Free entry to one Fire Entertainment Q&A Music Industry Event. (Valued at $ 99 each)
- Mental Health Music Course training session courtesy of Listen Up Music.
- + all Grand Finalist prizes.
The Grand Finalists:
- Song entry on the worldwide Songwriting Prize 2020 charity album release courtesy of Listen Up Music.
For Music Fans
Once we narrow down the entries, we invite you to attend one of our regional Semi Finals in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and/or Sydney, 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