Liverpool Acoustic Songwriting Challenge 2012
For Immediate Release:
Monday 3rd September 2012
Liverpool’s unique songwriting challenge returns 8th September
The Liverpool Acoustic Songwriting Challenge is a truly unique event where songwriters are challenged to write a new, original song inspired by the art on show at Mathew Street’s View Two Gallery. We know what you’re thinking… “Unique? Really?” Well, as far as we know there isn’t an event like it anywhere in the world, so we’re quietly confident about the claim.
Returning for its second year, the Liverpool Acoustic Songwriting Challenge 2012 launches on the afternoon of Saturday 8th September.
From 1pm to 4pm the View Two Gallery on Mathew Street will be open for songwriters to have a look round and be inspired by the art on display. To enter the challenge, each songwriter chooses a piece of art and has one month to write a brand new song inspired by it, and submit it as a recording (along with a copy of the lyrics and a photo of the art). The judges will listen to all the submitted art-inspired songs and select ten to be performed at the Showcase Final on the evening of Friday 23rd November where they will pick the Judges Award. The audience will pick an Audience Favourite too.
The winning songs in the two categories – Judges Award and Audience Favourite – will be professionally recorded and filmed at Liverpool’s Crosstown Studios.
Jon Lawton, owner of Crosstown Studios and one of the judges in 2011, said “Last year’s songwriting challenge was a great experience to be involved in, and as it turned out, a much more difficult task in selecting the winners than I first imagined. The competition really helped to showcase some of Liverpool’s best underground musical talents and I can’t wait to see who we end up working with this year!”
Last year’s other judge, local songwriter Stephen Langstaff, is joined this year by Kaya Herstad Carney – musician, singer, organiser of Threshold Festival, and lecturer in Popular Music Performance at the University of Chester.
Liverpool Acoustic’s Graham Holland said “We held this event for the first time last year and were amazed at the imagination, creativity and talent of our local songwriters. This unique event combines Liverpool’s duel passions for art and music, and once again we’re laying down a challenge to the region’s talented songwriters to show what they can do.“
The Songwriting Challenge is open to all ages, and last year’s geographical restrictions have been removed to enable songwriters from outside Merseyside to enter. Arrangements will also be put in place for anyone who wants to enter but can’t make it to the Entry Event on 8th September. Details of this will be available on the Challenge website.
The Liverpool Acoustic Songwriting Challenge is free to enter, and there is no charge for entry to the View Two on Saturday 8th September. The same afternoon Liverpool Acoustic will also be hosting their popular Liverpool Acoustic Afternoon in the top floor performance space between 1pm and 4pm. This event features booked guests Terry Gray, and Challenge judge Kaya, plus open mic. Refreshments will be available from the bar.
Entry to the Showcase Final on Friday 23rd November is by ticket only, available in advance from 26th October or on the door for £5. All money raised will be split between Marie Curie Cancer Care and Garston Animal Rescue in memory of Liverpool Acoustic team member Sharon Jones who died in May 2011.
Full details of the Challenge can be found at liverpoolacoustic.co.uk/
2011 WINNERS
Judges Award 2011: Simon Madison – Brother of Fur
Watch Simon playing his winning song at last year’s Showcase Final here.
Listen to Rob’s song recorded at Crosstown Studios here.
The facebook events can be found here and you can 
them too.
Full details of all Liverpool Acoustic live music events can be found at liverpoolacoustic.co.uk/live
Performance details
Liverpool Acoustic Songwriting Challenge 2012
Entry Event
Saturday 8th September 2012
@ The View Two Gallery, 23 Mathew Street, Liverpool L2 6RN
1.00pm to 4.00pm
Free entry
Performance details
Liverpool Acoustic Afternoon
Terry Grey and Kaya, plus Open Mic
Saturday 8th September 2012
@ The View Two Gallery, 23 Mathew Street, Liverpool L2 6RN
1.00pm to 4.00pm
Free entry