The Mountain Stage NewSong Contest is in its 11th year and it’s the most exciting one yet. This year’s grand prize winner will have the opportunity to record a brand new album at the Echo Mountain Recording studio with producer Iestyn Polson (David Gray, Patti Smith, David Bowie). But, that’s not all. The winner will also have an exclusive performance at Lincoln Center for Performing Arts in 2013 and will be featured in a live performance on National Public Radio’s highly acclaimed Mountain Stage show. And finally, the winning artist will also make an appearance at the 2013 Sundance/ASCAP Music Café in Park City, UT. We caught up with Arthur Alligood and lead vocalist Ben Lubeck of Farewell Milwaukee, the two previous NewSong Contest winners, and we asked them about their experience participating in the contest. If you want to submit you can do so here, make sure to get your submission in before the Regional Deadline of July 31, 2012!
Arthur Alligood:
Sonicbids: What year did you win the contest?
Arthur Alligood: 2011
SB: Tell us about the song that you submitted, what's the story behind it?
AA: Well, I submitted three songs, all from my last record. They were Gavel, Keep Your Head Up, and Turn It Over.
SB: Do you have any memories or milestones that stand out from your experience in the Mountain Stage NewSong contest?
AA: My favorite memories involved meeting all the other contestants and just hanging out. It's always a blessing to be a part of something and come away with good friendships.
SB: How did winning NewSong help you as a songwriter? How did it help to advance your career?
AA: Winning the contest just gave me a little more confidence in my abilities as a songwriter. As far as my career goes, it has helped to legitimize my artistry and given me a bigger platform to keep going.
SB: What advice would you give to songwriters who are submitting to NewSong, or any song contest for that matter, this year?
AA: I would say simply, just be yourself. Submit the songs you feel best represent you. If you make it to the live contest don't change anything. Trust in who you are and what you've done. You can never go wrong with being true to yourself.
Farewell Milwaukee:
Sonicbids: What year did you win the contest?
Ben Lubeck: I was a finalist in 2010
SB: Tell us about the song that you submitted, what's the story behind it?
BL: “Find Some Grace For Me” - a song I wrote about finding solace in rock and roll and music in general when relationships/ life are a total drag. Music is a constant in our lives when everything else can be so rocky.
SB: Do you have any memories or milestones that stand out from your experience in the Mountain Stage NewSong contest?
BL: The entire experience of going to New York City and playing my songs in the same town that some of my idols played/lived in... is something I'll never forget. To submit a scratchy demo and have them with recognized by these incredibly talented and well respected judges is humbling..and then to play these tunes in the largest city in America for some of the top record producers is an incredible opportunity. For a dude like myself, who writes these tunes on his couch by a lake in Minnesota..it doesn't get much better than that. To see something you create, take on a life form of its own...and act as a vehicle that takes you to New York and share them for some of your idols...that's mind blowing...I try not to think too much about it.
SB: How did winning NewSong help you as a songwriter? How did it help to advance your career?
BL: I've learned a lot about songwriting through New Song. Also, learned a lot about the music business. Through relationships I've developed through the contest, and inspiration gained by participating and hearing the stories of the other contestants. A year after my new song experience, I was contacted by Gar and Lauren and they invited me to play a New Song Series at The Lincoln Center Atrium. Having that on my musical resume is something I would have never dreamed of happening when I submitted my application in my Long Lake, Minnesota living room.
SB: What advice would you give to songwriters who are submitting to NewSong, or any song Contest for that matter, this year?
BL: Be yourself, that's what is going to interest people the most. Everyone has an interesting story. Share it. Share the song you believe in most.
The Mountain Stage NewSong Contest is still accepting submissions. The deadline to submit is September 15, 2012!
