2017 and 2018 have been stellar years for Gold Coast singer/songwriter Amy Shark and the celebrations are far from over after it was announced today that she has taken out the top prize in the 2018 Vanda & Young Songwriting Competition with ‘Adore’.
Courtesy of APRA AMCOS, Alberts and BMG, Amy has received A$50,000 – the largest first prize for any songwriting competition in the world – saying, “It’s such an honour to win the 2018 Vanda & Young Song Comp for Adore. I wrote this song in my bedroom and it’s a testament to what just one piece of music can do and how important it is to keep doing what you love. I’m proud to be part of a legacy of songwriters that together have raised over $1 million dollars for Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia.”
Amy Shark was finally able to commit to being a full time musician when ‘Adore’ soared to the prestigious #2 spot on Triple J’s 2016 Hottest 100, followed by winning two ARIA Awards (Best Pop Release and Breakthrough Artist) in 2017 and Pop Work of the Year at the 2018 APRA Music Awards. Her debut album, Love Monster, is to be released on 13 July and Amy has just announced she will embark on the national Love Monster tour commencing in Adelaide on 24 August.
Amy also receives an additional A$5,000 Show Group travel package awarded in honour of the late Graham Fear OAM, the greatly-admired Show Group GM and long-time Nordoff-Robbins board member and supporter who passed away in December 2017.
Amy joins previous winners of this prestigious competition, Gretta Ray (2016), Husky Gawenda (2014), Isabella Manfredi (2013), Kimbra Johnson (2011) and Megan Washington (2009).
1st Place – A$50,000: Adore
Amy Shark (Published by Mushroom Music Publishing)
2nd Place – A$10,000: Let Me Down Easy
David Le’aupepe of Gang of Youths (Published by Universal Music Publishing)
3rd Place – A$5,000: The Heart is a Muscle
David Le’aupepe of Gang of Youths (Published by Universal Music Publishing)
Unpublished Work – A$5,000: Better
Grace Shaw aka Mallrat (Unpublished)
Voting results were extremely tight for this year’s prize pool and the organisers and judges have given the following entrants an honourable mention:
David Le’aupepe (Gang Of Youths) – Do Not Let Your Spirit Wane
David Le’aupepe (Gang of Youths) – What Can I Do If The Fire Goes Out
Angie McMahon – Slow Mover
Ruel – Don’t Tell Me
Amy Shark – Weekends
Hatchie – Sure
Gordi – On My Side
Ainslie Wills – Running Second
Alex Lahey – Love You Like A Brother
Dean Lewis – Be Alright
Amy Shark photo by Bobby Rein Photography
