International Songwriting Competition

TESTIMONIALS AND QUOTES FROM PRESS, JUDGES, AND ENTRANTS....

"In my darker moments, I doubt my very ability to be able to make relevant music that is of value to
others. Being recognised by the ISC will be something I know I will be able to look back on in those
moments of doubt as a very real and tangible reason to continue creating through the rough patches.
The emails of congratulations have been flooding in from other entrants and it really does make Kate
and I feel connected to a larger creative community. I want to thank you for founding a wonderful competition such as this that recognises the craft of songwriting. It is a craft that I am fascinated to the
point of obsession with - as I can only assume you are, given the amount of work that must go in to
creating and organising a huge ongoing event such as this. Thank you for making this happen. The prize
list is extraordinary! It is like being six years old on Christmas morning."
Keir Nuttall, Co-Grand Prize Winner, 2008 (with Kate Miller-Heidke)

"Sometimes I dream up songs, sometimes I get them right when I interpret them into my equipment. 'Lonely' hit me like a nightmare at 4am half asleep next to my girl, I got up then and there and put it together, 808s, my busted morning voice - "lonely want you around", some synths and guitars, simple. We were on tour in NZ with Justin Timberlake sitting in the hotel room when the melody came, and then minutes later the line "remember this mister you the floor and me, tying my wrists up to start a family, now it's the same room but the walls inside have changed, I was your baby, now its just my name" I watched Paris take a beat with a melody and turn it into a song with a story of depth and truth right before my eyes. Then we won this contest, with judges of such pedigry I can't even begin to list. It's such an honor to know that artists that I have loved my whole life, believe that what we do is something good and true, without any industry influence or marketing spend we are told that what we wrote is something good, its eternally encouraging.
Ryan Ritchie, 2008 First Place Winner of the Pop/Top 40 category (with Paris Wells)

"Thank you again for this great honor, I cannot tell you what an amazing feeling of validation it has given me. When I wrote this song I knew it was important, but I never imagined it would mean something like this for
me. Thank you for believing in "songs.""
Scott Leger, Grand Prize winner, 2006

Judging the competition: I was astounded at the quality and range of abilities on show - the originality, honesty, and depth of so many of the words, the charm, vivacity, and catchiness of the tunes, and the often staggering energy, skill, and intensity of the performances - the talent left me at times breathless! Judging ISC 2006 was a real pleasure."
Robert Smith, The Cure

"In addition to great prizes, ISC offers the unique opportunity to have your music heard by the most
impressive group of judges from a variety of industry backgrounds in any songwriting competition.
This makes ISC the songwriting competition to take note of."
The New York Times

"This is a serious competition and judged by a panel of judges with unparalleled experience in the
international music industry.”
Anthony Healey, Director New Zealand APRA

"We're always been impressed with the talented songwriters who participate in the ISC. This is a great A&R source to find new artists."
Monte Lipman, President, Universal Records

"If ambushing your favorite bands with UPS'd cassettes and CD-Rs tossed on stage hasn't gotten your band noticed yet, the 2006 International Songwriting Competition should be right up your alley. Brian Wilson, Tom Waits, Robert Smith, Isaac Brock, and more are all judging the contest. Hell, the ISC is parked in your alley giving away free ice cream...Sheesh, talk about the chance of a lifetime."
Pitchfork

“The ISC is a huge songwriting competition. Not only will songwriters get to vie for the big prizes, but
they’ll also get the opportunity to present their work to a panel of judges that includes top industry folk.”
Chart Attack

The (2005) International Songwriting Competition offers you the chance to win cash and prizes and
to have your music heard by some of the most influential and high profile members of the music and
recording industry.”
Guitar News Weekly

The ISC is a blessing to songwriters of every genre.”
Parade Of Stars

“The fact that someone with no professional contacts of any kind could make it this far in a competition
of this stature helps restore my faith in the process. “Let Me Become Me” was recorded on an average
home computer, and uploaded directly to the ISC at the 11th hour of the entry deadline.”
Erik Ashley, 2003 Peoples Voice winner

“I continue to be impressed by the ISC. In a sea of independent artist scams otherwise known as
competitions, ISC stands apart and above as a beacon of light (and I’d say this even if I had not won anything!)”
Paul Brill, 2003 First Place winner, Lyrics Only category

“Winning the ISC is the highlight of my composing career. The prizes are fantastic. But to me they are a
bonus to the confidence boost this has given me as a songwriter, and as an artist whose career has been
rooted in my culture. Radio stations celebrated my win in their news bulletins, with one even describing
me as 'a national treasure!”
Moana Maniapoto, 2003 Grand Prize winner

“I believe that the foundation of music is songs, and songwriters are the brick layers of this foundation.
I’m proud of how ISC is encouraging these songwriters to become better at their craft and build a
solid foundation for the future.
Bebe Winans

"Winning my category in the ISC has been amazing for me. Besides the initial hype upon the announcement, not to mention all the prizes, I've been blessed with so many opportunities and have met some great people.
My own career as a "performing songwriter" has benefited mainly because of the publicity that the win generated but also, artist managers and artists have been contacting my manager (and/or myself) ever since, to ask if i'd like to co-write. I've accepted most and many new songs have been born and brought into the world. This continues and it feels good. I'm writing with everyone from Idol contestants to up & coming young " country" folk, to well established writers/artists who somehow heard that I'd be a good choice to write with. Because I live and breathe music, I'm very grateful."
Karl Broadie, First Place winner of the AAA/Roots/Americana category in 2005

“Got myself a co-write with a great writer I’d been trying to get a write with for a solid year...after he saw me on the ISC winner’s list. Good start!”
Blu Sanders, First Place winner of the Country category in 2007