Now in its 13th year, the International Songwriting Competition is one of the highest-profile competitions in the music industry, with hundreds of thousands of dollars in prizes and an illustrious panel of judges. Accepting entries from songwriters at any point in their careers, many winners of the ISC have gone on to top the charts all over the world. All Sonicbids members have the opportunity to submit their music to the ISC until September 18, 2014. Check out some of the past Sonicbids winners – many of whom are now household names.
Artist: Kimbra
Hometown: Melbourne, Australia
Sound: Jazz/R&B-influenced pop with a contemporary, electronic edge
ISC prizes won: Pop (2010, 2011), Grand Prize (2011), Performance (2012, 2013), Music Video (2013)
Where is she now? For her collaboration with Gotye (see below) on "Somebody That I Used to Know," Kimbra took home Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 55th Grammy Awards. She was also recently featured on John Legend’s song “Made to Love,” and released her second full-length record, The Golden Echo, on August 19.
Artist: Kasey Chambers
Hometown: Southern Australia
Sound: Classic country infused with Delta blues, backwoods folk, and anthemic rock
ISC prizes won: Folk (2010), Children’s Music (2010), Americana (2010), Performance (2010), Country (2010), Grand Prize (2010)
Where is she now? Chambers released her seventh record, Bittersweet, on August 29, along with a music video for the track "Wheelbarrow."
Artist: The Band Perry
Hometown: Ridgeland, Mississippi
Sound: Powerful, female-fronted country rock with tight, co-ed backup harmonies
ISC prize won: Country (2007)
Where are they now? The Band Perry released two albums since 2010, producing a combined five singles that have charted into the Top 10. They were recently nominated for CMT Performance of the Year and Group Video of the Year at the CMT Country Music Awards, and nominated for the Choice Country Group at the Teen Choice Awards.
Artist: Gotye
Hometown: Bruges, Belgium/Melbourne, Australia
Sound: Electronic pop with elements of Peter Gabriel and Sting
ISC prize won: Folk (2007)
Where is he now? Since 2011, Gotye has won five ARIA Awards and three Grammys for his album Making Mirrors and the track "Somebody That I Used to Know." Recently, he released a collaboration with Melbourne-based artist Spender entitled "Hotel Home Via Gotye."
Artist: Matt Corby
Hometown: Sydney, Australia
Sound: Ambient alternative rock heavily steeped in gospel roots
ISC prizes won: Folk (2010), AAA (2012)
Where is he now? After his third EP, Into the Flame, garnered 6x platinum status in Australia, Corby released his Resolution EP in 2013, with its title track reaching #5 on the ARIA Charts.
Artist: The Parlotones
Hometown: Joahannesburg, South Africa
Sound: '80s-influenced glam rock meets soulful alternative pop
ISC prizes won: Performance (2008, 2011), Music Video (2008, 2009, 2011, 2012), Rock (2009, 2011), AAA (2011), Adult Contemporary (2011)
Where are they now? Numerous albums and EPs have helped The Parlotones reach multi-platinum status in their home country of South Africa. In 2013, they released their seventh album, Stand Like Giants, and seventh EP, Shake It Up.
Artist: Greg Trooper
Hometown: New York, NY
Sound: Americana folk singer/songwriter with hints of Otis Redding and Hank Williams
ISC prizes won: Folk (2006, 2010)
Where is he now? Some of Trooper's songs have been picked up and recorded by Steve Earl, Billy Bragg, and Vince Gill. Last year, he released his 10th studio album, Incident on Willow Street.
Artist: JES
Hometown: New York, NY
Sound: EDM-rock propelled by powerhouse vocals and a stomping rhythm
ISC prizes won: Dance (2007, 2008, 2011), Pop (2011)
Where is she now? Earlier this year, she collaborated with Cold Blue and Dennis Shepard on a single entitled "Runaway."
Artist: The Rescues
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Sound: Tight harmonies over laidback pop/rock melodies and indie-hot jams
ISC prize won: AAA (2009)
Where are they now? The Rescues' third album, Blah Blah Love and War, debuted in 2012.
Want to see your name added to this list one day? Apply to the International Songwriting Competition today!