International Songwriting Competition
The International Songwriting Competition (ISC),[1] founded in 2002,[2][3] is an annual songwriting contest for both amateur and professional songwriters. There is no physical event to attend as the competition is held online, and anyone in the world can enter.[4][5][6] Each year the competition gives away over US$150,000 in cash and prizes,[7][8] including $25,000 in cash to the overall Grand Prize Winner.[9][10][11] Additionally, ISC offers an opportunity for artists to have their songs heard by celebrity artists[12][13] and music industry executives.
Overview
Depending on the category, submissions are judged on the following criteria:[14]
- Creativity
- Originality
- Lyrics
- Melody
- Arrangement
- Overall likability
There are 24 categories artists can enter:[15]
- AAA (Adult Album Alternative)
- AC (Adult Contemporary)
- Americana
- Blues[16][17]
- Children's Music
- Christian,[18]
- Comedy/Novelty[19]
- Country
- EDM (Electronic Dance Music)
- Folk/Singer-Songwriter
- Hip-Hop/Rap
- Instrumental
- Jazz,[20]
- Latin Music
- Lyrics Only[21]
- Music Video
- Performance
- Pop/Top 40
- R&B/Soul[22]
- Rock
- Teen[23]
- Unpublished
- Unsigned
- World Music[24]
Winners
Previous winners of the ISC include:
- Gotye[25]
- David Kushner[26]
- Tones and I[27][28]
- The Band Perry[29]
- Gregory Porter
- Faouzia[30]
- Illenium[31]
- Gin Wigmore[32]
- Tom Cardy[33]
- R.LUM.R[34]
- Kate Morgan[35]
- Vance Joy[36]
- Kimbra[37]
- Hattie Oates[38]
- The Teskey Brothers[39]
- Amy Shark[40]
- Altered Five Blues Band[41]
- Ivy-Jane Browne[42]
- Lindsey Stirling[43]
- Passenger[44]
- bodie[45]
- Sophie Hanlon[46]
Judges
The ISC has celebrity judges and high-profile industry executives on the panel.[47] Past and Present judges include:
Unsigned Only
Unsigned Only is a sister competition and category to the International Songwriting Competition (ISC), launched in 2012 by the same team that founded ISC.[58] It is an annual international music contest exclusively for artists not signed to major record labels.[59] In fact, ISC introduced an “Unsigned Only” category to provide unsigned songwriters a level playing field within its own contest.[60] Unlike ISC’s focus on songwriting, Unsigned Only spotlights the artists themselves – even allowing cover songs – and aims to discover and mentor new independent talent.[61][62]
Each year, Unsigned Only awards winners in multiple genre categories (e.g. Rock, Pop, Country, R&B, etc.), as well as an overall Grand Prize known as “Artist of the Year.” Winners share in over $150,000 in cash and prizes, including a $20,000 USD grand prize for the top artist.[63]
Winners
Previous winners of Unsigned Only include:
- AJ Mitchell[64]
- Charlotte Sands[65]
- Faouzia[66]
- Tia P.[67]
- Ingrid Andress[68]
- Anna Wolf[69]
- Eric Ethridge
- Jared Porter[70]
- Wes Mack
- Lara Johnston[71]
- Auggie Velarde[72]
- Trudy Lynn
- Marquis Hill
- Orlando Kallen[73]
- Beddy Rays
Judges
Notable Unsigned Only judges include:
- Robert Smith (The Cure)[74]
- Aimee Mann[75]
- LeAnn Rimes
- Jill Scott[76]
- Rodney Atkins
- Nancy Wilson
- Nicholas Petricca[77]
- Janiva Magness
- Ruthie Foster
- Evelyn Glennie
- Miles Kane
- Anthony DeCurtis[78]
References
- ^ "The ASCAP Resource Guide: Songwriting Competitions". www.ascap.com. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
- ^ "Last Call for International Songwriting Competition Entries". downbeat.com. 2003-08-22. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
- ^ "A Few Questions about the International Songwriting Competition". bandzoogle.com. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
- ^ "Jack O'Rourke wins prestigious International Songwriting Competition". Irish Examiner. 2016-05-03. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
- ^ "Aussies dominate six categories in global songwriting competition". The Music Network. 2021-05-03. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
- ^ "Call for entries: 2021 International Songwriting Competition". Music In Africa. 2020-08-31. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
- ^ Courtney, Ian (2021-03-10). "The Finalists Announced For The International Songwriting Competition 2020". CelebrityAccess. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
- ^ "International Songwriting Competition 2020". www.wcbe.org. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
- ^ "International Songwriting Competition 2019 announces Australian winners | Loud Mouth - The Music Trust Ezine". 2020-05-30. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
- ^ "Vance Joy wins International Songwriting Competition". www.lowdenguitars.com. Archived from the original on 2020-02-19. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
- ^ "Tones And I Wins 2019 International Songwriting Competition Grand Prize". Rolling Stone Australia. 2020-05-11. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
- ^ "Tanya Tucker, Kristian Bush, Cam Among International Songwriting Competition Judges". MusicRow.com. 2020-07-10. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
- ^ "Record breaking number of Australian Songwriters honoured in US-Based International Songwriting Competition". The AU Review. 2021-05-03. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
- ^ "2019 International Songwriting Competition: Enter Now!". Musicnotes Now. 2019-05-05. Archived from the original on 2021-07-27. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
- ^ "2020 International Songwriting Competition Regular Deadline Approaching Soon". Music Connection Magazine. 2020-09-15. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
- ^ "International Songwriting Competition". Blues Festival Guide Magazine and Online Directory of Blues Festivals. 2014-05-08. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
- ^ "Tennessee Jazz & Blues Society – International Songwriting Competition". August 15, 2014. Archived from the original on 2021-07-27. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
- ^ "Trevecca grads take home awards in international songwriting competition". www.trevecca.edu. Archived from the original on 2021-07-27. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
- ^ "2015 International Songwriting Competition". AMPAL. 18 September 2015. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
- ^ "Shunzo Ohno wins overall grand prize in International Songwriting Competition". www.trumpetguild.org. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
- ^ Boyle, Conor. "Ireland's Gordon Barry Wins International Songwriting Competition". Hotpress. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
- ^ Geurts, Jimmy. "Bradenton-raised R.LUM.R wins grand prize at International Songwriting Competition". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
- ^ "Hastings Band Third In 2020 International Songwriting Competition". NZ Musician. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
- ^ "International Songwriting Competition Announces 2020 Finalists | World Music Central.org". 2021-03-11. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
- ^ "Where Are They Now? 9 Sonicbids Artists Who Won the International Songwriting Competition". SonicBids. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ "David Kushner Wins Grand Prize at International Songwriting Competition". Music Connection. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ "Tones And I Wins 2019 International Songwriting Competition Grand Prize". Rolling Stone Australia. 2020-05-11. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
- ^ Daniels, Karu F. (18 November 2020). "'Dance Monkey' is the 'Most-Shazamed' song of all time". nydailynews.com. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
- ^ Welsh, Dylan. "Where Are They Now? 9 Sonicbids Artists Who Won the International Songwriting Competition". blog.sonicbids.com. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
- ^ Hoogstraten, Laurie; Alfa, Ismaila (17 September 2017). "Faouzia, 17-year-old singer from Carman, Man., signed to U.S. booking agency". CBC News. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
- ^ Manthey, Aric M. (27 April 2018). "Illenium Takes Top Prize in Global Songwriting Competiton [sic]". EDM.com - The Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
- ^ "Auckland teen's tribute takes rich US songwriting prize". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
- ^ "2022 International Songwriting Comp Aussie winners". APRA AMCOS. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ "Tampa Bay native R.Lum.R wins International Songwriting Competition grand prize". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
- ^ "International Songwriting Competition (ISC) Announces Its 2017 Winners". Recording Magazine. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ "Vance Joy's 'Riptide' Wins Grand Prize in 2014 International Songwriting Competition". Billboard. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
- ^ Cashmere, Paul (2012-05-01). "Kimbra Wins International Songwriting Competition". Noise11.com. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
- ^ "2022 International Songwriting Comp Aussie winners". APRA AMCOS. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ "Tones and I takes out $70,000 grand prize in International Songwriting Competition | NME Australia". NME | Music, Film, TV, Gaming & Pop Culture News. 2020-05-10. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
- ^ "International Songwriting Competition". www.girl.com.au. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
- ^ "The Altered Five Blues Band CD: Holler If You Hear Me (CD)". Bear-family.com. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
- ^ "Previous Winners". International Songwriting Competition. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ "Previous Winners". International Songwriting Competition. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ "Previous Winners". International Songwriting Competition. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ "Previous Winners". International Songwriting Competition. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ "Previous Winners". International Songwriting Competition. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ "International Songwriting Competition | The #1 Song Contest for Songwriters". songwritingcompetition.com. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
- ^ "Coldplay, Dua Lipa, and Tom Waits Among Judges for 2019 International Songwriting Competition (ISC)". Music Connection Magazine. 2019-07-02. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
- ^ "Lorde, Tom Waits, Chris Cornell, Bastille to Judge 2016 International Songwriting Competition". Billboard. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
- ^ "Lorde, Tom Waits and Bastille to act as judges for International Songwriting Competition | NME". NME | Music, Film, TV, Gaming & Pop Culture News. 2015-07-21. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
- ^ "Tanya Tucker, Kristian Bush, Cam Among International Songwriting Competition Judges". 2020-07-10. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
- ^ "Call for entries: 2021 International Songwriting Competition". Music In Africa. 2020-08-31. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
- ^ "Judges". International Songwriting Competition. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ "Judges". International Songwriting Competition. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ "Judges". International Songwriting Competition. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ "Judges". International Songwriting Competition. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ "Judges". International Songwriting Competition. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ "Unsigned Only". unsignedonly.com. 2025-09-17.
- ^ Redacción EC (2023-08-29). "Cantante Daniela De Izcue es finalista en concurso de música "Unsigned Only"". El Comercio (in Spanish). ISSN 1605-3052. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
- ^ "Q & A with Unsigned Music Competition". APRA AMCOS. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
- ^ "Events Calendar". www.ascap.com. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
- ^ Connection, Music (2025-03-10). "UNSIGNED ONLY MUSIC COMPETITION IS NOW UNSIGNED ONLY MUSIC AWARDS CELEBRATING INDEPENDENT ARTISTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD". Retrieved 2025-09-17.
- ^ Connection, Music (2024-09-19). "AJ MITCHELL CROWNED GRAND PRIZE WINNER in Comp". Retrieved 2025-09-17.
- ^ "AJ MITCHELL CROWNED GRAND PRIZE WINNER IN 2024 UNSIGNED ONLY MUSIC COMPETITION". Music Connection. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ "Unsigned Only Music Competition 2023 announces winner". Play MPE. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ "Previous Winners". Unsigned Only. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ "Previous Winners". Unsigned Only. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ "Previous Winners". Unsigned Only. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ "Previous Winners". Unsigned Only. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ "Previous Winners". Unsigned Only. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ "Winners". Unsigned Only. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ "Winners". Unsigned Only. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ "Winners". Unsigned Only. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ "Judges". Unsigned Only. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ "Judges". Unsigned Only. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ "Judges". Unsigned Only. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ "Judges". Unsigned Only. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ "Judges". Unsigned Only. Retrieved 17 September 2025.