The International Songwriting Competition, widely recognized as the world’s premier songwriting event, today announced its 2012 winners.
ISC’s Grand Prize has been awarded to Joshua Hanson of Irvine, California, for his song, “Monsters With Misdemeanors,” which he entered in the folk singer-songwriter category.
Therefore, it only made sense to name Hanson as IRC’s Artist of the Week.
Hanson is the lead singer and songwriter of the award-winning indie folk-rock trio, Yellow Red Sparks, and the son of a lounge-singing mother and a theatrically trained father. From a young age, Hanson was always fascinated with words and how the stories would unfold through the liner notes of some of his favorite songwriters.
His own ability of expression is eloquent and effortless, crafting and delivering candid and poetic lyrics that elicit the slightest hint of bittersweet heartache. “The judges loved the song for its sparse honesty and achingly tender lyrics,” Avery said.
Yellow Red Sparks released their debut self-titled full-length album at the end of January, winning glowing reviews and the attention of music taste makers.
The band was also a buzz band at SXSW 2013 in March, thanks in part to their debut album. In addition to the recognition that comes with the award, Hanson will receive $25,000 and an additional $40,000 in merchandise and services.
The band kick-off a two-week national tour tonight at The Griffin in San Diego. The tour will wind through Colorado, Ohio, Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Pennsylvania, New York, and commence on May 18th in Massachusetts. Needless to say, with the release of their beautifully rich debut, a successful appearance at SXSW, and now the award to Hanson, the band has a promising road ahead of them, and based on their talent, dedication and original approach to songwriting and performance, Yellow Red Sparks are a band that you shouldn’t miss if they’re stopping by your city during their two-week tour.
Robin Hilton of NPR’s All Songs Considered commented on April 22nd:
“The songs of Yellow Red Sparks… are twisted tales told through cinematic, often epic orchestrations. In the group’s spectacular and creepy new video, for the song “A Play To End All Plays,” a couple’s failed relationship is acted out like an old circus sideshow before a finger-wagging audience.
Frontman Joshua Hanson, who appears as the play’s host, indicts the lovers with a surprisingly infectious melody and old-timey instrumentation.”
Listen to the ISC grand prize-winning song, “Monsters With Misdemeanors,” via the Soundcloud embed below. Also, if you let the stream run longer, you can hear other amazing songs from this promising Band to Watch, and talented singer-songwriter. The ISC really hit the bulls-eye this year by awarding the grand prize to Hanson in recognition of his songwriting talents. Scroll down to see the award-winning lyrics.
“ISC’s mission is to inspire and promote greatness in the field of songwriting,” says Candace Avery, director of ISC. “It is humbling to hear so many talented songwriters, and it is gratifying to play a part in the growth of the winners’ careers.” Established in 2002, ISC awards more than $150,000 in cash and prizes to amateur and professional songwriters around the world.
A total of 68 winners from 119 countries worldwide were selected from over 20,000 entries, and for the first time ever, more than half of the winners are from outside the United States. Past ISC winners include Gotye, The Band Perry, Kasey Chambers, Amanda Palmer, Gin Wigmore, King Charles, Kimbra, Passenger, Andrew Bird, to name just a few.
ISC Judges Include Tom Waits, Jeff Beck, Nas, Robert Smith and Black Francis
The 2012 judges included iconic artists such as Tom Waits; Jeff Beck; Nas; Suzanne Vega; Bernie Taupin; Keane, Tegan and Sara, Robert Smith (The Cure); Darryl McDaniels (Run DMC); Mark Foster (Foster The People); Alejandro Sanz; Gerald Casale (Devo); Tegan & SaraBlack Francis (The Pixies), Basement Jaxx, and many more. In addition to celebrity artists, judges also included seven record label presidents, as well as other industry leaders, offering songwriters the unprecedented opportunity to have their music heard by influential decision-makers.
We strongly believe that it’s time for the competition to include influential bloggers as judges too; afterall, bloggers have their fingers on the pulse of talented, and under-the-radar, singers and songwriters, and many work very hard, with little reward; it’s nearly impossible to make a viable living by blogging alone, despite the true value that good blogs provide to the music-loving culture and community. For example, as many of you know, on Indie Rock Cafe, we feature dozens and dozens of such artists every year, which you can read about, and listen to, via the Artist of the Week series, as well as DIY Bands to Watch and the Singer/Songwriter Spotlight Series, all of which we have many posts in the pipeline that will be posted in coming weeks.
As mentioned above, on April 22nd, Yellow Red Sparks dropped a new music video for the song, “A Play To End All Plays,” which was just featured on NPR’s All Songs Considered, and now on Indie Rock Cafe.
Lyrics for “Monsters With Misdemeanors”
Written by Joshua Hanson and performed by Yellow Red Sparks
There’s a chance we could meet
Under the likeness of summer
And there’s a chance we could fall
Under the highlight of winter
There’s a parked car that won’t let me over
And there’s one thing I’ll regret, but you’d be the last
I’m just sick of the monsters that we chase everyday
I’m just sick of the monsters that we chase everyday
Yeah you know, you know
There’s a wonderful plan
I hope to God we’re in it (ready)
And I’ll steer you one more time
Just to show the way
Well there’s passing cars
That love to see me stranded…try it again
And there are four things I’ll forget
But you’d be the last
I’m just sick of the monsters that we chase everyday
I’m just so sick of these monsters that we chase everyday
Yeah you know, you know
And it goes to show
That darling you’ve known
And if I would, I could
But I’ve been there (here) before
And just like Rome
Darling we fall
I’m just sick, I’m just sick
You have lovely eyes and a lovely face
A cold embrace
We have lovely eyes and a lovely faith
A cold embrace
Other ISC Winners in Various Genres and Categories
In addition to the grand prize winner, many other deserving songwriters, ranging from talented amateurs to seasoned songwriting veterans, also share the 2012 spotlight for winning in their respective genres and categories, including prizes for Americana, blues, rock, pop, dance, country, DIY-only, among others. Check out the complete list of the International Songwriting Competition winners for the 2012 competition.
Already the process for the 2013 ISC is underway; get more details by visiting the ISC’s website.
Record Industry Judges
In addition to the artists who served as judges, a number of record label industry folks, from the big labels to smaller labels, also participated in the judging, including Dan McCarroll (President, Capitol/Virgin Label Group); Monte Lipman (President, Universal Republic Records); Alison Donald (Co-President, Columbia Records UK); Ed Vetri (President, Wind-Up Records); Richard Stumpf (President, Imagem Music US); Bruce Iglauer (Founder/President, Alligator Records); Albert Schilcher (VP Music & Music Mktg, MTV International); Angel Carrasco (Sr. VP A&R, Latin America, Sony/BMG); Dan Storper (President, Putamayo World Music Records and Putumayo Kids); Steve Smith (VP of A&R, Aware Records); Cory Robbins (Founder/President, Robbins Entertainment); Lori Tieg (VP of Talent, VEVO); Dr. Demento (Radio Host, The Dr. Demento Show); Steve Lillywhite (Producer); Kim Buie (Head of A&R, Thirty Tigers); Douglas C. Cohn (Sr. VP, Music Marketing & Talent, Nickelodeon); Allison B. Jones (VP of A&R, Big Machine Label Group); Jack Vaughn (VP, Comedy Central Records); Leib Ostrow (Founder/CEO, Music For Little People); and Jamie Masada (Owner, Laugh Factory).