The annual Vanda & Young Songwriting Competition is officially off and away for 2019, with an eye-bulging $50K cash prize up for grabs for the songwriting genius who takes out the top honours.
It’s the biggest prize of any songwriting comp in the whole world FYI, with previous winners including the likes of Amy Shark (2018), Gretta Ray (2016), Husky Gawenda (2014), The Preatures’ Isabella Manfredi (2013), and Kimbra (2011) and other top finishers including Gotye, Meg Mac, and Gang of Youths’ frontman David Le’aupepe (so, you know, the competition is fierce).
There’s also cash prizes for the runners-up, including a 2nd place bonanza of $10K thanks to AMPAL (Australasian Music Publishers Association) and a bronze medal award of $5K.
For the 2nd year in a row, there’s also an ‘Unpublished’ category on offer, which comes with a $5K cash prize for the winner (Brisbane’s Grace Shaw AKA Mallrat took home the inaugural honour in 2018 for her song ‘Better’).
Entry costs $50 per song, with 100% of the proceeds going to help the important work of Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia (NRMTA).
This year’s winners will be decided by a judging panel of 63 influential artists, producers, media and music industry professionals, including award-winning songwriter Lior, previous Vanda & Young first-place winner Isabella Manfredi of The Preatures, triple j Unearthed’s Dave Ruby Howe and more.
Entries close 11.59pm (AEDT) on 12th April and you can find out more info right here.
Happy hitmaking!
