Husky Gawenda has won the 2014 Vanda and Young Songwriting Contest for his song ‘Saint Joan’ with his band Husky.
Gawenda has picked up $50000 for first prize courtesy of APRA AMCOS and Alberts. The Vanda and Young Songwriting Contest offers the largest first prize for any songwriting contest in the world. “I’m honoured to win the Vanda and Young Songwriting Competition,” Gawenda said in a statement. “That the competition supports Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy, a great cause, makes it particularly rewarding. It is a big thrill for me for ‘Saint Joan’ to have been chosen from among so many great songs.”
Meg Mac, one of Australia’s artists to watch in 2015, won second prize for her song ‘Roll Up Your Sleeves’. “I am so proud to have ‘Roll Up Your Sleeves’ a part of this competition and couldn’t be more excited to have it recognised along with some of my favourite songs. It’s also really special that songwriters can come together like this and money can be raised for Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy. Thank you to everyone at APRA AMCOS and the Vanda and Young Songwriting Competition,” said Meg.
David Le’aupepe won third prize for ‘Poison Drum’, performed by his band Gang of Youths.
Sydney songwriter Andy Bull won the Encouragement Award for his song ‘Baby I Am Nobody Now’.
APRA AMCOS CEO, Brett Cottle, said, “Folk, pop, soul, rock, electro – our winners this year really showcase the diversity and quality of original music being created in Australia. Husky’s song ‘Saint Joan’, our grand prizewinner, is everything a good song should be. In second place, Meg Mac’s ‘Roll Up Your Sleeves’ continues on an impressive trajectory, while David and Andy’s winning songs resonate with fans across Australia and the world. I’m confident each of these songwriters will make the most of this opportunity and inspire others to keep creating. This year the Vanda & Young Songwriting Competition raised $170,000.00. This is an incredible achievement and I want to thank every songwriter that donated $50 to this cause by entering their song.”
David Albert, CEO of Alberts, added, “2014 is a special year for Alberts as we celebrate 50 years of our record label, Albert Productions. Our association with Nordoff-Robbins, APRA AMCOS and the Vanda and Young Songwriting Competition continues our tradition of supporting important community initiatives and great songwriting. Alberts’ congratulates Husky, Meg, David and Andy, and thanks all the entrants for their continued support of such an important cause.”
Previous competition winners were Isabella Manfredi (2013), Kimbra Johnson (2011) and Megan Washington (2009).
Vanda and Young Songwriting winners 2014
1st Place – AU$50,000: ‘Saint Joan’
Husky Gawenda (Mushroom)
2nd Place – AU$10,000: ‘Roll Up Your Sleeves’
Meg Mac (Unpublished)
3rd Place – AU$5,000: ‘Poison Drum’
David Le’aupepe (Published by Universal Music Publishing)
Encouragement Award – AU$2,000 and production package: ‘Baby I Am Nobody Now’
Andy Bull (Unpublished)
