Vanda & Young Songwriting Competition
The Vanda and Young Song Competition is run bi-annually - the next Competition will open for entries in 2013.
Kimbra Announced as 2011 Winner
$200,000 Raised for Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia
[L-R] Kimbra, Gotye, Jenny Morris, David Albert
After receiving over 4000 entries from talented songwriters across the globe, APRA|AMCOS and Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia are proud to announce Kimbra (Kimbra Johnson) as the Winner of the 2011 Vanda and Young Songwriting Competition for her song 'Cameo Lover'.
Voted by the 18 member music industry judging panel, Kimbra is joined by Catherine Britt in Second Place for her song 'Sweet Emmylou' and Gotye (pronounced Gore-ti-yeah, Wally de Backer) in Third Place for his song 'Somebody That I Used To Know'.
Congratulations go to all three winners!
Spending her early years gigging around her native New Zealand, Kimbra's debut album 'Vows' will be released in September. 'Cameo Lover' is the second single from the album and is "a call back to embrace love again" to someone who's become disconnected and retreated into isolation. Kimbra is set to brighten up stages across the country with appearances at Splendour In The Grass and Parklife, as well as a headlining national tour in support of the album.
Kimbra said of her win, "Thanks to APRA|AMCOS, Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia, sponsors and the judges for the honour of receiving first prize, it's a great gift being able to write and share songs and even more amazing to be recognised this early on in my career. You never imagine where a song can lead when you write it, it's awesome to have the hard work that went into Cameo Lover acknowledged at this level."
'Sweet Emmylou' is one of three #1 singles for Catherine Britt from her fourth and self-titled studio album. Catherine has spent six years living in Nashville and has toured, performed and recorded with some of music's most respected names including Kasey Chambers, Paul Kelly, Sir Elton John, Shane Nicholson and Tim Rodgers.
Catherine Britt said, "As a song writer you are always striving to create something that you hope people can relate to and that might make a difference in their lives, and to be recognised by your peers for these efforts is an honour".
Gotye is the music-making mantle of Wally De Backer, songwriter, producer and all-round one-man band. Since the creation a few years ago of his album 'Like Drawing Blood' that became something of an underground classic, Gotye recently released the single 'Somebody That I Used to Know [featuring Kimbra]'. It's the second single from Gotye's forthcoming album 'Making Mirrors' and as it recounts with heartbreaking clarity the fall-out of a fading relationship, it is equally an exercise in emotional punch and classy restraint.
Gotye said, "It's exciting and flattering to be amongst such great company. Thank you for listening."
Further details on the Winners (including a bio, photo and YouTube link to the winning song), the Top 12 Finalists and the Top 40 Highly Commended songwriters can be found on the winners page
With 100% of the $50 AUD entry fee going directly to support Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia, over $200,000 has been raised for the charity – an increase of $70,000 on the amount of money raised in the Vanda and Young Songwriting Competition's inaugural year.
Since 1984, Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia has promoted and developed the understanding, training and practice of creative music therapy. The therapists work with children and adults, utilising music's interactive and participatory nature as an agent for change and healing. To find out more, go to: www.nordoff-robbins.com.au.
The Vanda and Young Songwriting Competition is open to all songwriters whether published or unpublished, be they professional, amateur, local or international and regardless of genre. The Top 12 Finalists (all from Australia and New Zealand) were announced on Monday and are listed below in alphabetical order:
- Alex Burnett – Sparkadia - 'China'
- Catherine Britt – Catherine Britt - 'Sweet Emmylou'
- Husky Gawenda – Husky - 'Tidal Wave'
- Jessica Chapnik Kahn – Appleonia -'Lost At Sea'
- Katy Steele – Katy Steele - 'New Born'
- Katy Steele – Katy Steele - 'Brother'
- Kevin Mitchell – Jebediah – 'She's Like A Comet'
- Kimbra Johnson – Kimbra – 'Cameo Lover'
- Mark Sholtez – Mark Sholtez - 'The Mystery Of You'
- Ohad Rein – Old Man River – 'You're On My Mind'
- Tobias Priddle – Boy In A Box – 'Moon Comes Up'
- Wally de Backer – Gotye – 'Somebody That I Used To Know'
