Judges Also Include Music Industry Execs From Top Record Labels: Atlantic, Columbia, Capitol, Motown, Sony, Warner, Arista, Curb, Glassnote, and More
Called “the songwriting competition to take note of” by The New York Times, ISC awards more than $150,000 in cash and prizes, shared by 74 winners in 24 categories, including an overall Grand Prize consisting of $25,000 (US) cash, and much more.
Winning ISC is a distinction that has helped many artists go on to achieve greater success. Previous winners have included: Tones and I; Illenium; Vance Joy; Bastille; Fantastic Negrito; R.LUM.R; Gotye; Lindsey Stirling; Kimbra; Dustin Lynch; Faouzia; The Band Perry; Kehlani; Gregory Porter; Passenger; Gin Wigmore; Missy Higgins; For King & Country; Tenille Townes; Adrienne Lenker (Big Thief); Jordan St. Cyr; Tommy Castro; Andrew Bird; Omar Sosa; and many more.
“There are many songwriting competitions in the world, but ISC is the only one whose entrants have the opportunity to have their music heard by a judging panel that includes the top echelon of legendary recording artists/songwriters and high-profile music industry executives,” said Candace Avery, Founder and Director of ISC. “Our judges have consistently told us how much they love listening to the new generation of songwriters and are amazed by the depth of songwriting talent – and we are grateful for their perspective and participation.”
The list of 2022 judges includes:
Recording Artists: Mariah Carey; Gloria Estefan; Coldplay; Tom Waits; Joe Hahn (Linkin Park); Jeremiah Fraites (The Lumineers); Hozier; Trevor Daniel; Brantley Gilbert; James Adam Shelley (Founding Member, American Authors); Tenille Townes; NEEDTOBREATHE; Kristian Bush (Sugarland); Laura Pausini; Ian Felice (The Felice Brothers); Lonnie Liston Smith; Blackbear; Sara Evans; Rosanne Cash; Sidewalk Prophets; Steve Lillywhite; Nancy Wilson (Heart); Krewella; Glen Ballard; ACRAZE; Danilo Perez; Above & Beyond; Chayanne; Sam Feldt; Oumou Sangaré; Jack DeJohnette; Tim Rice-Oxley (Keane); Dave Koz; Sugaray Rayford; James McNally; Jordan St. Cyr; Gordon Goodwin; Chris August; Joe Louis Walker; Ashwin Batish; Carter Burwell; Nicholas Gunn (Limelght); Margaret Cho; and Jimmy Pardo (Comedian)
Industry Judges: Briony Turner (Co-President, Atlantic Records UK); Bruce Iglauer (Founder/President, Alligator Records); Daniel Glass (President/Founder, Glassnote Records); Richard Stumpf (CEO/Founder, Hawkeye Music Group); Ed Vetri (President, Wind-Up Records); David McTiernan (Senior Director, Artist & Label Relations, Vevo); Greg Johnson (VP of A&R, Columbia Records); Golnar Khosrowshahi (President, Reservoir Media Management); Will Speer (Managing Director, Magic Star Records/Sony); Lanre Gaba (Co-President of Black Music, Atlantic Records); Nate Albert (EVP of A&R, Capitol Records); Will McDonald (VP A&R, Elektra Music Group); Kim Buie (VP of A&R, New West Records); Shawn Barron (VP of A&R, Motown); Dan Chalmers (Head Of Music, YouTube, EMEA); Kate Labrel (VP of A&R, Warner Records); Christopher Muller (Global Head of Music Partnerships, YouTube); Jacob Edgar (Founder, Cumbancha); Matt D’Arduini (Sr. VP of A&R /GM, Last Nite Records/Arista Records); Joel Timen (VP of A&R and Publishing, Curb/Word Entertainment); Cory Robbins (Founder/President, Robbins Entertainment); Samantha Jervey (Director A&R, Capitol Christian Music Group); Julie Kertes (Editor/General Manager, Hot Diggity Media); Jacqueline Post (Head of Publishing, Connection Music Publishing); Ben Kramer (Global Lead, Artist and Label Development, YouTube); Leib Ostrow (Founder/CEO, Music For Little People); Katherine Dines (Advisory Board and Magic Penny Award Chair, Children’s Music Network); Claire S. Green (President, Parents’ Choice Foundation); Julia Beyer (Director, ARC Music Productions International); Benjamin Groff (President, Brill Building Music Publishing); Tamara Conniff (EVP, Roc Nation Music Publishing); Carl Caprioglio (Founder & CEO, Oglio Entertainment); and Elena Epstein (Director, National Parenting Product Awards)
For more information and to enter, go to: https://www.
The unrelenting pop-punk renegades hailing from Towson, Maryland has been around since 2003 and have since undertaken an exquisite evolution. They’ve always forged on towards an upward direction, lifting their craft through transformative sonic landscapes in a seamless, impeccable manner.
Their most recent full-length album, ‘Wake Up, Sunshine’ stands to be their most hopeful work. Released in 2020, it represented the band in their most comfortable, uplifting form. While the band has never really stayed the same, they’ve been consistent with the way they carried their music through fearless and unforced experimentation, striving to be the best version of themselves with every album.
PULP: Your latest album ‘Wake Up, Sunshine’ is feeling quite encouraging – could you elaborate more on how the record came to life?
ALEX: We decided to rent a house in the desert and all live under the same roof for most of the album-making process. It felt very natural, and I think it really reconnected us to the band in a way we didn’t necessarily expect. We had so much FUN making this music, and I think that really shows.
PULP: You’ve said the album is a reminder of “coming to terms with who you are” – is that a mindset you’ve always had? Or did the difficult past couple of years bring it on?
ALEX: The record’s a reflection of the times, looking inward at ourselves and where we are as people now in our 30’s making music and living this crazy dream, but we wrote and recorded the album before the pandemic, and before things started to feel really difficult for everyone… But I think as the world changed so drastically, some of the songs on the record evolved to have new meanings for people, and that helped it connect even more. We just hope it brought people comfort in difficult times.
PULP: You’ve mentioned before that it’s been a long time since the four of you made a record under one roof, is it something you’ve paid a lot of thought to?
ALEX: It felt really important to go through that process at the time. We all needed to remind ourselves what we love so much about being in this band together.
PULP: What are some other lyrical themes on the record?
ALEX: I think it explores love, vices, betrayal, and generally just how we fit into the world as individuals.
PULP: What’s the most powerful track for you and the others each?
ALEX: That’s a tricky one! It’s hard to choose. But Basement Noise really feels special to us. It’s a reflective song about the beginnings of the band and an appreciation for how far we’ve come. The adventure never ends.
PULP: Is there a specific influence for this record?
ALEX: I look at Wake Up, Sunshine as a celebration of all the eras of All Time Low, so I think we were our own biggest influence on that one.
PULP: What have you learned about yourself over this pandemic break?
ALEX: That I play way too much Fortnite.
PULP: Did any of you have worries as you got back to the studio?
ALEX: I think we all had some worries that we might’ve forgotten how to make music but we’re already proving ourselves wrong on that!
PULP: Do you have any goals that you would like to achieve now that the tour (or concert) industry is back on its feet? How excited are you to be back in Manila soon?
ALEX: Just keep playing shows, bringing people together and having a great time celebrating individuality and community. We are SO SO excited to finally be coming back.
PULP: Any special messages you’d like to leave for your Manila fans?
ALEX: We love you so much! Thank you for continuing to support us the way you do, and we cannot wait to play for you all!
ALL TIME LOW LIVE IN MANILA, with special guests CHICOSCI, is happening on August 15, 2022, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Gates open at 6:00 PM, show starts at 7:00 PM.
Tickets on sale at all SM Tickets outlets nationwide and online via www.smtickets.com. Tickets are priced at P9,500 (Royalty), P6,500 (VIP A), P5,000 (VIP B), P4,500 (Patron), P4,000 (Lower Box A), and P3,500 (Lower Box B). Ticketing service charges apply.
For more show information, visit www.pulp.ph and keep your eyes glued to our PULP LIVE WORLD social media accounts:
Progression, or more generally, change, is a constant in music; in order to adapt and survive, you must grow and develop – and no band knows that more than midwestern metal act Of Virtue. What began as a humble, promising metalcore act born from the blistering chill and barren fields of mid-Michigan has erupted into an internationally recognized and critically acclaimed alternative powerhouse. From opening slots on regional metalcore tours to reaching #28 on Billboard’s Current Hard Music chart, performing in over 30 countries across three continents and accruing a staggering 6 million plus streams on Spotify alone, Of Virtue’s growth is nothing short of jaw dropping.
Today, Of Virtue released their second single via Arising Empire called ‘Hypocrite‘! Produced by Andrew Baylis (Sleeping With Sirens) & Evan McKeever (VRSTY), mixed and mastered by Dan Braunstein, known for his work for Spiritbox, Dayseeker, Volumes and visualized by Dana Willax & Orie McGinness (Bad Omens, Wage War, Kingdom of Giants) this blistering new track by modern metal experience Of Virtue will hit you straight in the face and leaves no doubt that this 4 piece is going to blow up pretty fast.
“Hypocrite is all about the negativity building up inside of us. Everything that you hate about yourself, looking at you in the mirror. We know who we are but we refuse to change, eroding our potential by burning bridges in the meantime.” – Of Virtue
Follow the band’s socials:
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | Official Website
Fans of local hard rock and heavy metal do not have to wait any longer as leading lifestyle clothing brand Macbeth Philippines brings its first grand production of the year in the form of the launch of its official artist CHELSEA ALLEY.
Macbeth Presents: Chelsea Alley – 1st Strike will be the band’s first official public appearance after being formed at the height of the pandemic in 2020. Happening this April 29th, 2022, at The Elements at Eton Centris, everyone is invited to the biggest and loudest rock show of 2022 as the event is 100% free admission to all. It will also feature three up and coming opening acts, namely popular pop-punk outfit SNAKEFIGHT, Baguio-based hard rock act DIVINA, and the dazzling CARISSA (aka Carissa Ramos) who are surefire musical superstars-in-the-making, and who will definitely pump-up the crowd and warm-up the stages for the evening’s salvo of gloriously heavy music. Incidentally, bassist Jose Siscar of local female-fronted modern metal act EVEN and PHILIA – another local heavy rock act featuring celebrity Arci Muñoz on vocals – will be handling live bass duties for the show.
CHELSEA ALLEY, composed of the surviving members of Philippine heavy metal legends SLAPSHOCK – guitarist Lean Ansing and drummer Chi Evora, joined by guitarist Ariel Lumanlan (currently also of ARCADIA fame and formerly of CHICOSCI), and vocalist John Borja, a seasoned live performer and a one-time contender to front international rock superstars STONE TEMPLE PILOTS, released their debut single “Heneral” last Christmas of 2021. The track is a heartfelt-yet-pummeling tribute to the late Slapshock frontman and their dear friend Jamir Garcia.
Brought by the band’s loyal fanbase’s excitement to see their first live performance, Chelsea Alley: 1st Strike promises to be nothing short of amazing and ground-breaking for both veteran and new fans of the collective and of the genre in general. It will indeed be a rock show that is one for the books.
For more information, you may check out Macbeth Philippines’ official Facebook page here. (hyperlink: https://www.facebook.com/MacbethPH)
Internationally acclaimed artist Amy Sheppard is packaging up her pop stylings and fusing them with country influences, today releasing her debut solo single Nothing But Wild. While definitely not her first official foray into the genre, previously already a Golden Guitar Award winner for her vocals on Lee Kernaghan’s Spirit of the Anzacs, Nothing But Wild offers an up-tempo and affably jangly stomper that fans can also catch in action this weekend at the Toyota Tamworth Country Music Festival and KIX Live in the Park, as well as CMC Rocks QLD later this year.
Nothing But Wild gifts the perfect salve for those who have had their wanderlust evaporate throughout the global pandemic, as travel and leaving one’s own four walls have become distant memories over the past few years. Infused with plenty of country-pop flair, Nothing But Wild also sees Amy stylistically explore deeper into hues of sparkling zest and sharp warmth, with plenty of driving beats, smooth melodics and catchy hooks helmed emphatically by Amy’s powerful lilts. Delving beyond her storied tenure fronting the multi-platinum selling band Sheppard, this triumphant solo project has, in fact, been multiple years in the making, with Amy embracing the hurdles that have accompanied her professionally, while also proudly displaying her seasoned songwriting and charming sense of adventure, as Amy elaborates, “Nothing But Wild explores my innate desire to regularly escape the city in order to reconnect with my wild side and natural surroundings. Having a sense of adventure and having someone to enjoy it with invigorates my soul and reminds me of what’s important in life: love, nature and spontaneity. I’ve tried to blend my favourite elements of both the pop world and the country world. I love storytelling, rich harmonies and finding a blend of the live and midi which I find to be captivating whilst still holding authenticity.”
Evolving from a gradual and collaborative process, Nothing But Wild has also emerged from Amy’s previous experience writing and singing with artists like Kasey Chambers, The Wolfe Brothers, Lindsay Rimes and Phil Barton. And drawing inspiration from some stellar country pop queens like Kasey Musgraves, Kelsea Ballerini, Maren Morris and Taylor Swift, Amy knew early on in the process that she was onto something special with this brand new track, as she continues, “I wrote Nothing But Wild in Nashville with Lindsay Rimes (an Aussie songwriter/producer based in Nashville) and Trannie Anderson (Nashville songwriter). It felt so natural and fun to write, I instantly knew it was going to be the lead single.”
Branching out on her own as a solo artist, and reinvigorated as a country pop star in the making, Amy has spent the past three years writing and building towards this debut solo release. And while a country turn on her own may seem somewhat distant from conjuring pop earworms with her siblings and garnering over one-billion combined song streams under the Sheppard moniker, Amy has always had a special place in her heart for country flavours – and she’s only just getting started, as she explains, “I actually grew up listening to a lot of country music. My father is a MEGA country music fan and growing up he always had CMC on the TV. He used to blast country music to wake us up in the morning. In the 90’s, my idols were Shania Twain, Faith Hill and LeAnn Rimes, to name a few. As a member of Sheppard, I’ve been fortunate enough to spend most of my career in the pop world, but along the way we’ve also spent some time in the country music world and we have in fact won a Golden Guitar Award thanks to Lee Kernaghan including us in ‘The Spirit of the ANZACs’ single. We’ve played many country music festivals and rodeos and the thought of entering the country music scene has been on my mind for as long as I can remember. I’m finally doing it.
Be sure to catch Amy Sheppard live in all her solo glory, Friday April 22, in Tamworth for the Tamworth Country Music Festival, as well as Saturday April 23 in Tamworth for KIX live In The Park. Amy will also appear onstage in Queensland this September as part of CMC Rocks QLD.
Nothing But Wild is out now. Listen here.
FOLLOW AMY SHEPPARD
Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify
Friday, April 15 – Today, multi-platinum selling superstar G-Eazy has released a new track titled “Angel,” the song was written for his mother, Suzanne Olmsted, and arrives on her first birthday since her passing last Fall. Listen here.
G made the song with a close circle of friends, the background vocals are Devon Baldwin and Vida Simon, as well as the same choir, led by Tim Davis, that was used on his previous song “Faithful.” Additionally, Goody Grace plays the drums, guitar and bass guitar, and it was co-produced by G and Zac Brunson.
“Grief can be a difficult thing to navigate. It’s definitely not a linear process and it comes at you in waves. There will never be enough words to describe the feeling of losing your best friend, or the desire to see them again. In a literal sense, I tried to capture that feeling of longing in the lyrics of the song. But “Angel” is so much more than a song or a tribute. My mom was more than just my mom, she was everyone’s mom. She was everyone’s teacher. She was everyone’s inspiration. Nothing made her happier than loving people and sharing her creativity with the world. Her energy continues to live on through me, through those she connected with, and through those she inspired. That’s part of why creating “The Dandelion Scholarship” is so important, her light will be able to continue to live on through countless others in so many ways,” said G-Eazy.
In tandem with the release, G has also announced an annual college scholarship in honor of his mom, “The Dandelion Scholarship.” Through his charity, The Endless Summer Fund, the scholarship will award $15,000 to one US college-bound high school senior pursuing an arts major and the recipient will be announced April 15th (his mother’s birthday) each year. Further details on this year’s recipient and how students can apply in the future are to be announced.
About G-EAZY
Multi-platinum recording artist and producer G-Eazy has established himself as a leading force in the music and touring world. His third full-length studio album The Beautiful & Damned (2017) debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200, garnered two No. 1 radio hits – “No Limit” ft. A$AP Rocky & Cardi B and “Him & I” ft. Halsey – and has since been certified platinum by the RIAA. The 7x platinum single “No Limit” has been streamed over 1 billion times worldwide to date. The Beautiful & Damned followed his platinum-certified sophomore album When It’s Dark Out (2015), which featured the 5x platinum single “Me, Myself & I” with Bebe Rexha.
Known for his smooth raps, pristine production and dexterous range, the Bay-area rapper has performed on Saturday Night Live, MTV Video Music Awards, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and many more. He has won a People’s Choice Award for “Favorite Hip-Hop Artist”, named one of Forbes “30 Under 30” and covered publications such as GQ Italia, Rollacoaster, Numero NL, XXL and Flaunt. His influence also spans the fashion world where he’s frequently hailed as the James Dean of rap for his dapper style, and regularly appears on GQ’s best-dressed and grooming lists. Additionally, he will continue his partnership with PUMA, recently announcing their first collaborative shoe is in the works to be released in 2020. PUMA will also continue to support his philanthropy, The Endless Summer Fund – a non-profit dedicated to helping Bay Area under-served youth reach their full potential and strengthening the community – and their joint program, “From The Bay to the Universe” in which G-Eazy selects a group of developing musicians to support their artistic efforts.
In 2021, the rapper delighted fans with the long-awaited release of his critically acclaimed fourth studio album, These Things Happen Too. These Things Happen Too is the sequel to his debut LP, These Things Happen, and highlights G’s growth since the 2014 breakout album. The 19-track album showcases G’s multi-faceted artistry with a diverse, yet eclectic body of work, and marks his first full-length record since 2017’s critically-acclaimed The Beautiful & Damned. The genre-spanning tracklist includes hard-hitting hip-hop anthems such as “Instructions” ft. YG, while also leaning into the pop sphere on tracks like “Breakdown” ft. Demi Lovato and “Faithful” ft. Marc E. Bassy. Closing out 2021 on a high career note, 2022 is shaping up to be an even bigger year. Stay tuned for what’s next from the rapper.
Please wait for further announcements. Thank you!
