Legit Song Contests?

[vbvoice]

Since I'm new to the biz, what song contests are legit? I know there are song sharks out there and scam artists. I want to know which contests are the ones to submit to and would look good on a "resume."

[NathanNasby]

This was the first year that I really got into the songwriting competition but I did some research before I started forking out the larger dollars. Also, SOCAN had a good article on some of the Canadian artists who have placed in the larger international competitions for the 2011 season.

The ones that I've entered are

ISC (International Songwriting Competition) http://www.songwritingcompetition.com/
UK songwriting competition - http://www.songwritingcontest.co.uk/ (I was fortunate enough to get 2 songs into the semi finals and 1 that was a borderline final, as well as 4 other commended songs)
The Song Of The Year 2012 - http://www.songoftheyear.com/ (I received a runner up award in this contest, http://songwriter.songoftheyear.com/chameleon.htm )
JLSC (John Lennon Songwriting Competition) - http://www.jlsc.com/
Unsigned Only Music Competition (A spin off created by the ISC for indie artists) - http://www.unsignedonly.com/
2012 IAMA (International Acoustic Music Awards) - http://www.inacoustic.com/

2 other contests that I have entered and placed in the top 3 are the Singers Universe and Songwriters Universe - http://www.singersuniverse.com/

I consider all of these legit competitions and placing in any of them would look good on a resumé with an emphasis on JLSC, UKSC, ISC and UOMC.

I hope that helps!

I will also add that most of these songs are judging the overall song and not the production level. It can also be very costly to enter these contests at any where from 20-30 per song entered. It's a good idea to get some feedback on whether a song has potential in a competition setting. After all you song will be pitted against tens of thousands of song from all over the world. You need to be fairly confident that your song has what it takes.

[vbvoice]

Wow thanks, and congrats on placing! That's great.

[NathanNasby]

No worries! Glad to help. haha, when I saw your post I laughed to myself because that was me a while ago going through the exact same thing! Which contests are cons, which ones are worth entering etc? Best of luck!

[NathanNasby]

Oh, I forgot that there was only one other thing I was going to recommend.

When I first started looking into these contests I got frustrated with how to keep track of deadlines and entry dates etc. With a few I missed the cutoff because I had different contest deadlines mixed up in my head. After that I started a spreadsheet with each contest and put the entry dates and such with each contest so I could keep track of what to shoot for. Also, a lot of these contests host mini contests through out the year for special events like Valentine day etc. They usually have a news feed update that you can sigh up for so you get emailed when something is coming up that you should know about. That really helps too.

[vbvoice]

Thanks, I noticed that. Great advice!

Most haven't announced 2013 yet - or I had to sign up for the newsletter to find out. I've already submitted to singer/songwriter universe since that's an ongoing monthly deal.

I must say, it is intimidating when you listen to the winners. Forces you to eat a little "humble pie" and step up your writing game!

[NathanNasby]

Absolutely. It was a great move for me to start entering in comps for that alone. It's easy when you get insular to forget how much better you can get, until you start holding up your material against something better. Certainly is a good push.

Do you have your music posted anywhere? I'd love to have a listen! What kind of music are you creating?

[vbvoice]

This is what I have uploaded to taxi. They're just tracks from my album I release last year.

http://taxi.com/A-1413-1948

I've written in other styles, as well as instrumentals, but my in-home production knowledge is slightly above amateur. I've learned a lot more since the studio album last year and and I'm working on another string of songs that are different from this "middle of the road" AC style.

Are you the singer/songwriter type, or just songwriter? And are you looking to have a singing career as well?

I checked out your stuff and I love the variety. I especially love the Celtic pieces!! (But I'm biased, being of Scottish decent and all...)

[NathanNasby]

Wow Justin, very nice tunes and vocals! The recordings are very good as well. Did you do your own recording work?

I noticed your music theater background! Very cool. I put in 4 years with a music theater company and some of the best times I ever had. It was also the most learning and improvement I ever put into my voice. Hard not to improve when your are singing so many hours in a day with a theater and vocal director cracking the whip !

I have a lot of ambitions with my music right now. At the moment I'm just chasing whatever breeze brings in some cash to keep my studio running. I did a lot of live performing for a while and that is my first love, and singing professionally is a close second there. I also write all my own songs and do studio work for other artists (Lyric Revisions, mastering, recording etc.) Just recently though I got the idea that I wanted to pitch my music to film t.v. and the big labels, and that is what brought me here. Here's hoping big success for both of us.

All the best with your projects. You have a great talent. Keep in touch.