Manitoba Songwriters Up for International Songwriting Honours

Several Manitoba singer/songwriters are finalists and semi-finalists in this year's prestigious International Songwriting Competition (ISC).

Ruth Moody's "Storm Comin'", which can be heard on The Wailin' Jennys JUNO Award-nominated album Bright Morning Stars, is a finalist in the Gospel/Christian Music category. Her song "Cold Outside", off her JUNO-nominated solo release, The Garden, landed a semi-final spot in the Folk/Singer-songwriter category.

Jaylene Johnson's "When It All Goes South," co-written with Halifax-based sister act The Keats, is a finalist in the country category. Johnson was an ISC finalist last year, and also had a couple of co-writes in the semi-finals.

Also a finalist last year, Scott Nolan is up for the Americana category, this time for his song, "You Rock, We Roll" off his 2011 release on Transistor 66 Record Co., Montgomery Eldorado.

Manitoba is also well-represented in the list of semi-finalists, which includes Abstract Artform, Avery Eramchuck, Desiree Dorion, Arun Chaturvedi, The Details, Ken Pinchin, Keri Latimer, Carjackmatt, Owen Dacombe Street, Chris Freeman, Tom Racine, and Jason "Rupness" Russell with expat Maiko Watson.

This year's ISC attracted over 16,000 entries from over 100 countries, judged by top artists like Tom Waits, Tegan and Sara, Tori Amos, Janelle Monae, and Black Francis as well as industry big wigs like David Massey (President of Mercury Records) and Ric Arboit (President Nettwerk Music Group). 

Fans can get in on the ISC action by voting for their favourite songs until March 31 at songwritingcompetition.com. Winners will be announced in late April or early May.

FINALISTS
Jaylene Johnson, Sharlene Loveless, Jolene Keats - "When It All Goes South" | Country
Ruth Moody (The Wailin' Jennys) - "Storm Comin" | Gospel/Christian Music
Scott Nolan - "You Rock, We Roll" | Americana 

SEMI-FINALISTS
Avery Eramchuk - "The Right Track" | Teen
Desiree Dorion, Arun Chaturvedi, Bart Dupas - "Turn To Me" | Country
Jon Plett, Sean Vidal, Keli Martin, Shaun Gibson (The Details) - "Weightless In The Dark" | Rock
Ken Pinchin - "Don't Cut My Claws" | Comedy/Novelty
Keri Latimer - "Kindred Spirit" | AAA (Adult Album Alternative)
Matthew Moskalyk (Carjackmatt) - "I Fall Down" | Rock
Owen Dacombe Steel - "Twig Eater" | Folk/Singer-Songwriter
Ray Martin, Chris Freeman - "Days Like This" | Country
Ruth Moody (The Wailin' Jennys) - "Cold Outside" | Folk/Singer-Songwriter
Shea Malcolmson (Abstract Artform) - "Things Aint What They Used To Be" | R&B/Hip-Hop
Tom Racine - "The Hunting Song" | Comedy/Novelty