Get to know the SAYS23 finalists in the UK/Ireland 13-15 years old category

This year’s Song Academy Young Songwriter competition attracted nearly 1,000 entries from aspiring young songwriters aged 8-18 across the world, both experienced young songwriters and those who’ve written their first song. The judges were extremely impressed with the originality, creativity & musical bravery of the songs. We interviewed each of the finalists to get to know them and learn more about how they write songs.  We’ll add more profiles as we receive them.  Stay tuned!

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STUART VEITCH – ‘PROMISES & REGRETS’

What inspired you to write your finalist song? When I was 7, I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Since then the treatment for Diabetes has come a long way and one of these new treatments is called an insulin pump. I started insulin pump therapy when I was 13, however, it didn’t work as well as I had hoped and on some days it felt like it was actually making things worse. So I wrote this song about overcoming these challenges.

What got you into writing songs? I have been singing my whole life.  When I started to learn guitar I used it to communicate and process my feelings through writing songs. Ever since then I have been writing songs about things that happen in my life and how these events make me feel.

What does songwriting mean to you? Songwriting is a part of who I am. I have been writing songs for years and I always have ideas popping into my head. I use it as a way to express my feelings and I hope people can relate to the stuff I write about. I love writing songs, but I also love sharing them with others and seeing their faces when I perform a new song to them.

What is your favourite part of the song writing process? I love writing the lyrics as it is one of the most important parts of a song. You get to tell a story and bring the whole song to life. This is the part where you get to express your feelings and tell a story that people can relate to.

How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? I usually start with a recording of a melody that has popped into my head one day and then get the chords. Once I have the structure, melodies and chords, I then write the lyrics. I sometimes write a chord pattern first and then write the melody over that. But I normally start with the melodies.

Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. I wrote and recorded my song using a little setup in my bedroom.

Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? I would love to collaborate with Ed Sheeran. He plays guitar like me and has been a big inspiration.

What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? Go for it. Believe in your abilities and reach for your dreams. You never know what could happen!

What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? One of my favourites is Fourteen by Skye Bishop.

What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? I like how it gives me the chance to get my music out there and share it with others so people can hear it. Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.

IONA CAMPBELL – ‘ANOTHER TIME’

What inspired you to write your finalist song? My inspiration was the 6-month period of anxiety disorder I had last year. After I got better, I thought I could write a song that might reassure anyone struggling with the same issue.

What got you into writing songs? I think I wrote my first song when I was 6, but I only really got into it when I started secondary school. I wrote a song about an annoying group of girls I knew, and then got more into songwriting after that.

What does songwriting mean to you? It’s a fun hobby with a lot of creative freedom, and a good way to express yourself. I really enjoy seeing a song come together and I find that it always seems to distract me from anything I’m worried about.

What is your favourite part of the song writing process? Writing the lyrics and fitting them to the chords. It’s the most satisfying part, in my opinion.

How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? Sometimes I just randomly get an idea for a line of the song and work from there, but usually I think of a theme first and then write the chord progression. Then I write the lyrics.

Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. Sometimes I would add to the lyrics on the school bus in the mornings. However, mostly I wrote the lyrics and chords on our family’s iPad, sitting at the piano. After that, I just recorded the basic piano part and vocals into GarageBand.

Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? Probably Lin-Manuel Miranda – I love his musicals, especially Hamilton. I think he’s good at writing catchy songs that convey emotion.

What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? I’m not very knowledgable about any of this yet but I’d probably say: Make sure the message of your song is relatable and easily understood. Also, show your songs to other people to get feedback – it’s more helpful than you might think. Finally, I know it’s a cliché, but have fun, and don’t give up.

What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? My favourites are Pathological Liar (Elizabeth Ehinfun), If You Were (Mayonnaise) and Fourteen (Skye Bishop). If I could, I would collaborate with Mayonnaise because I like their song idea and the lyrics seem very well-crafted and poetic.

What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? I like that it’s available to everyone. There aren’t many restrictions and so the competition is pretty accessible (which is why it appealed to me – a long and difficult entry process always puts me off).

NEVAEH – ‘INSIDE AND OUTSIDE’

What inspired you to write your finalist song? I am autistic and obviously that means I deal with things in a slightly different way, there has been times that I have been bullied for being different and I wanted to show through my lyrics how it felt when I was bullied. I released it on the first day of anti bullying week to help promote the importance of stamping out Bullying.

What got you into writing songs? I find it hard to talk and answer people’s questions, so creating songs helps me put across my thoughts. I still need a lot of guidance, support and encouragement when I am writing, but I am learning all the time.

What does songwriting mean to you? I am hoping that I will be able to help other people, just like me see the power in music and give them the confidence to express themselves in song writing.

What is your favourite part of the song writing process? Getting goose bumps when I get to sing the lyrics to a produced backing track.

How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? I haven’t written that many yet, but anything I do is from deep within my heart.

Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? Oh that’s a tough one. I would absolutely love to collaborate with any of the iconic female powerhouse vocalists.

What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? You should follow your heart, reach for the dreams you have set for yourself, don’t be tough on yourself and write with feeling about something that really matters to you.

What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? It is very professional and has a great feeling to it. I like that you can hear the songs that have been put forward as entries.

DANIEL MACKIN – ‘FRAUD’

What inspired you to write your finalist song? I wanted to write a song about changing yourself for someone else’s approval, and how by the end of the relationship you feel like you’ve become a fraud as you’ve given so much of yourself away to fit this person’s standards.

What got you into writing songs? I watched a documentary on Dolly Parton and was amazed at how she could tell a story so vividly through song, and I love reading and writing stories, so songwriting just felt like a natural continuation of those two things.

What does songwriting mean to you? Songwriting gives me the chance to explore scenarios that I haven’t experienced. I’m only fifteen so I don’t have lots of first-hand knowledge on heartbreak and falling in love so it’s fun to put yourself into that sort of situation. But when I do write songs about my life like how I’m scared of growing up or a song about my best friend, it can be very cathartic.

What is your favourite part of the songwriting process? My favourite part is finishing the second verse, because then you know you’ve got more or less a whole song finished. It’s also really fun to write a second verse as it allows you to give more depth to the story and start adding in more intricate details.

How do you usually start a song? I start a song by putting together some chords on the piano that I think sound nice, then I’ll sort out the melody before adding in lyrics.

Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. When I first got the idea for ‘Fraud’ on the piano I just started recording using the voice memos app on my phone, I have like a bajillion song demos stashed on that app most of them are just me mumbling over the wrong chords.

Who would be your dream artist to collaborate with? I’d love to collaborate with Taylor Swift. I’ve been a fan of hers for as long as I can remember. She’s definitely had a major influence over the way I write songs.

What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? Even if you’re not entirely sure on the song you’ve written still submit it as you never know what the results could be.

What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? I really enjoyed ‘fourteen’ by Skye Bishop. I think her voice and lyrics are great, and the song has such an important message.

What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? The Young Songwriter competition is amazing as it gives young people a platform to share and get their music out there. It has also allowed me to grow in my confidence with my songwriting.

BRADÁN PEACOCK – ‘THE LETTER’

What inspired you to write your finalist song? Being stuck inside during lockdown (as I was vulnerable due to a chronic illness) – made me consider things deeply. I needed to be heard and treated like any other child but felt alone and invisible as I couldn’t go outside

What got you into writing songs? My vocal teacher inspired me to start writing songs. The first one I wrote for my Nanny after my Grandad (RaaRaa) passed away and she was left on her own. I understood that feeling of loneliness and I wanted her to know that she was loved and even though she wasn’t with us – that we were thinking about her all the time. My vocal teacher ignited a belief in me that I could do this!

What does songwriting mean to you? It’s a way for me to express my thoughts and inner feelings without anyone judging me. It’s a way to get my inner most thoughts heard and feel like I am being seen for who I am

What is your favourite part of the song writing process? When the melody is created, and then the lines start to form in my head over the next days. I feel it allows me to connect with anyone who may be feeling like me – through my gift of song through my tracks.

How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? I put down a base track that I feel really connects with me. That ignites the spark. I listen out for exciting phrases and the interesting ways in which people around me (home, school, friends, Stagecoach, football) express themselves. I am constantly on high alert looking for that catchy ‘phrase’ or that brilliant ‘hook/line’ that connects to my initial base track.

Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. I write in my family garden room, initially with my vocal coach, and then it becomes a more personal journey – when I am then with my thoughts.

Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? The Script. I love their use of descriptive language which transports me to other places. Their talent is just so inspiring

What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? If you have a talent or a message – just go for it – use this platform to express it! There will always be doubters – but please don’t worry about what others think about you – they don’t know you. Your talent is enough and YOU CAN DO THIS.

What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? That is such a difficult question to answer as there is so much talent in the competition. So many talented people! I couldn’t just choose one as I have such eclectic taste in music and love all the difference and diversity in the genres and entries

What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? The way that people from all over the country collectively join in to share their talent, to allow others to connect with their songs and enjoy their gifts. The competition is such a gift and I feel really honoured to have got this far. Thank you.

MADDIE INSTONE – ‘BACKGROUND GIRL’

What inspired you to write your finalist song? I wanted to write the song from the perspective of someone who feels forgotten compared to everyone else. I wanted to help myself and other people to be inspired by that feeling and not get knocked down by it, but to turn negative energy into something positive. To defy expectations!

What got you into writing songs? When I was little, I used to sing to myself about what was happening around me. If I was having a good or bad day at school, I would sing to myself about it, and it would make me feel better. I eventually began to write the melodies and lyrics down and now here I am!

What does songwriting mean to you? Songwriting is my favourite aspect of music, as I can write songs about the people around me; good or bad – and they have absolutely no idea!! It acts as my safe space and I enjoy writing lyrics that other people can relate to. There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of writing a good lyric.

What is your favourite part of the song writing process? I love being able to write metaphorical lyrics that anyone can listen to and relate to but only I know exactly what that lyric was about. I find it funny when my friends try to guess who my songs are about!

How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? Personally, this is one of the hardest questions to answer as for me, the song writing process starts differently every time. Sometimes, I’ll have a lyric idea in the middle of a lesson and I’ll have to write it on the back of my hand; and other times I’ll be sitting at the piano for hours trying to find a chord sequence.

Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. I had a notebook, pencil and voice memos open on my phone. I was sitting at the piano just messing around when the idea came to me.

Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? I would love to collaborate with Sara Bareilles and Taylor Swift, as I love their melodies and I find Taylor Swift’s ability to write lyrics incredible; I find myself singing them to myself all the time! I would also love to collaborate with Dodie as I love the harmonising and awkward chord sequences that always seem to work!

What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? When writing lyrics, find a phrase that is said in everyday life. I think this is one of the best ways to make a song catchy and memorable, as whenever someone says that sentence, people will think of, and be reminded of, your song!

What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? I really liked the song ‘October Boy’ by Bailey Britt – I would love to collaborate with her as I loved the harmonising backing vocals. I also really liked the song ‘Central Line to Town.’ The production on this song was incredible and also extremely professional.

What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition. I like how the competition encourages people to write songs, and enter them into the public eye. I think sometimes, people can lack motivation and this competition gives them just this! It gives people an opportunity that they otherwise would never have had.

ARNAV MERVE, RAVI KAMATH, ARJUN RAMANI – ‘BY YOUR SIDE’

What inspired you to write your finalist song? We were very inspired by some of the well known artists such as Ed Sheeran, to create our own song.  As music is all our passion, we decided to put our passion into practice.

What got you into writing songs? Since very young age, we’ve all had a keen interest in all forms of music. We started to write songs a few years ago. When we met in school this year, we decided to collaborate and write this song (By Your Side) together.

What does songwriting mean to you? We believe that songwriting is a way to express our emotions and develop our musical ideas. Also it’s great fun!

What is your favourite part of the song writing process? Our favourite part of the songwriting process is the final outcome. However in addition, we really enjoy the moments during the process when we realise that our work is progressing well with good potential.

How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? We usually tend to experiment with different musical ideas, until we find our spark that starts the beginning of the song writing process, which leads to the composition of the song.

Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. We were in Ravi’s living room, one day (a couple of months ago). We wanted to entertain ourselves so we got our instruments out and experimented with different sounds. Surprisingly, this led to the creation of this song and here we are today.

Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? We would love to perform with artists such as Ed Sheeran or Stormzy, artists that are highly respected in the UK and overall global music industry. We also dream of working with inspirational musicians like Jacob Collier or Cory Henry.

What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? We would tell them to go for it! This is such a great opportunity for any young songwriters, trying to express their talents widely and the Song Academy’s Young Songwriter competition is such a great way to do so.

What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? One of our favourite entries from this year’s competition, is “Lost in thoughts” by Maya Martin. Her vocals are gracious and she would definitely be an artist we would want to collaborate with. We also really like “Broken Guitar String” by Lily Cephane, we love the sound of the acoustic guitar and the song goes really well with her vocals.

What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? We appreciate the Song Academy Young Songwriter Competition because it gives young, aspiring songwriters a chance to express their skills and to be acknowledged for their dedication. It’s also a fantastic method to connect with other upcoming composers who are passionate about music and to pick the brains of established musicians.

ELI CROSSLEY – ‘DRIVING SEAT’

What inspired you to write your finalist song? I wrote this song about the people who have so much power, but who don’t do anything with it to help others.

What got you into writing songs? I have been in a band since I was 7 years old with my best mates, but we were always doing covers, and I had the idea of wanting to write songs all the way back then but only started to write decent sounding songs when I was around 12. I wanted to write songs so I could do them with my band and when I was able to, the feeling was really satisfying

What does song writing mean to you? Song writing for me is about expressing thoughts and ideas and putting them together to create something cool. It also gives me a chance to escape the stress of school and everyday life and just drift off into lyrics and melodies

What is your favourite part of the song writing process? My favourite part is finding a nice chord progression to start off the song. For me it is the longest part of writing a song but once you find some nice chords it is one of the best, most satisfying feelings

How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? For every song it varies but for most I start with a chord progression and go from there. Finding that spark could either be finding a nice group of chords and recording it or writing lyrics about whatever I feel and think in that moment and normally there will be a cool line which I will use in the final song

Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. I used Logic Pro on my computer in my room and used a Scarlett box (interface) to record my guitar and ukulele and I then used my Rode studio mic to record the singing.

Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? My dream collaborator would be Sam Fender because I think he has some really cool songs about different topics and his melodies are all so nice. He is one of my favourite musicians because of this and I hope to achieve what he has done.

What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? Just don’t be nervous to enter in the first place and be optimistic because I never thought my song would get through to the final 30 and here I am, so just go for it.

What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? I love ‘Fourteen’ by Skye Bishop because I think the melody is awesome, the piano playing is great, and her voice is great and really emotive.

What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? I love the fact that it gives you something to aim for and really helps motivate me to keep writing songs. I also feel that it helps young people to try and get recognition for their song writing.

SHANELLE RUDRIGO – ‘TAKE ME HOME’

What inspired you to write your finalist song? My song ” Take Me Home” was inspired by the situation I had to go through at school . When I started year 7 at my current secondary, I thought it would be fun, would find new friends etc but throughout the first year I had to face a difficult time finding like-minded peers and felt alone most of the time .

What got you into writing songs? I started writing songs to get away from the difficult time I was going through. At one point my so-called friends tried to put me down saying I cannot do both music and studies at the same time, they wanted me to stop creating music. I so wanted to write a song to show that I will not give up and ended up writing my very first song at 12 called ” Don’t Mess With Me “

What does songwriting mean to you? It means a lot, when I write songs I want to incorporate a situation I was going through or another individual or a teen was going through. I wanted it to relate.

What is your favourite part of the song writing process? Making it meaningful yet simple .

How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? I sometimes take real life situations and make a song out of it. I wrote a song after hearing from my brother that many University students attempt suicide because they can’t cope with the exam pressure. I want to relate to people who are actually going through a difficult time and it doesn’t have to be a break up, there are many other reasons for people to feel down.

Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. I actually made the melody at school during my music lesson and wrote the song in a few days. It was easy to write this song because I was pouring in how I felt at school through words.

Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? Bruno Mars

What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? I would definitely say it is absolutely incredible what you do for young musicians like us. You help us connect with other young musicians too.

What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? Crystal Chandeliers – Amity Miller, Last Train to the coast – Joseph Davies, Fine Totally – Rowan Addy. I’d like to collaborate with Amity Miller .

What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? This is an amazing opportunity for young musicians out there and I am so happy to be part of it .

ECHO – ‘THESE DAYS’

What inspired you to write your finalist song? We were inspired to write the song by the increasing number of young people we know or hear about on social media and in the news who suffer with mental health issues and also feel that they are isolated from friendship groups or don’t feel confident to go out and join in with things.

What got you into writing songs? We all individually love to play our instruments but we wanted to be able to create something new when we put it all together. It’s fun for us and we hope we can inspire people with our music.

What does songwriting mean to you? It’s something we really put our hearts into. Our music and lyrics mean a lot to us personally and we enjoy being able to share that with other people and hopefully entertain them at the same time. Writing songs together as a band makes us closer as friends too so it’s really special for us.

What is your favourite part of the song writing process? Once we have an idea for a new song, our favourite part is enhancing the basic tune and words with all the other instrument parts and backing vocals to make it sound more professional.

How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? Anything can be an inspiration really but usually we will come up with a good melody and then think of a topic we want to write about. We then build the whole song around it.

Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. First Nathan and Jack wrote the melody and lyrics for lead and rhythm guitars, then Dhani and Chris added their parts for drums and bass and we all added backing vocals. We were lucky enough to be able to record the song in our music studio at school.

Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? As a band we have lots of different influences. Nathan loves Green Day, Dhani would like to work with Metallica and Jack and Chris would want to collaborate with Simple Plan.

What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? Definitely do it! Be confident in your abilities and don’t be afraid to just give it a go.

What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? We love a song by Josh Lord. He has a different style to us but we really like his song so we think it would make an interesting collaboration.

What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? It gives us the opportunity to showcase our music and it is exciting because it’s a competition. It has been so uplifting to be named as a finalist and I think it’s great for giving young songwriters confidence.

LOIS BROOKS – ‘BE WHO YOU WANNA BE’

What inspired you to write your finalist song? My school asked me to write a song to mark their upcoming 60th anniversary. My schools motto is “Aspire, Believe, Succeed”, so I used that as a starting point.

What got you into writing songs? From a young age I have enjoyed listening to all types of music and these artists have inspired me to try and write my own songs.

What does songwriting mean to you? It’s a great way of saying all the things you are thinking and feeling.

What is your favourite part of the song writing process? The moment you get that feeling that the song is going somewhere and is worth completing.

How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? Most of my songs start at the piano or whilst I’m lying in bed. Recently, I’ve been writing about people I admire and developing the song from there onwards. Sometimes I just get a lyric idea and either scribble it down into my song book or make a voice note on my device.

Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. Pen and paper and an upright piano.

Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? Always David Bowie for me. His songs are super original and very interesting.

What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? Just go for it! You have nothing to lose and the process is exciting!

What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? Stuart Veitch and Joseph Telecastervision

What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? I like listening to all the other songs and hearing the different genres and themes. It’s actually quite inspiring.

EMILY GASKELL – ‘LITTLE GIRL’

What inspired you to write your finalist song? Information I was constantly seeing in the news and media that made me angry. There were constant stories of girls going missing, being raped, being kidnapped and it never seemed like anyone was prepared to make a change – especially those in power.

What got you into writing songs? When I was little, I remember being sat messing around on a keyboard when I discovered a chord progression that sounded really nice. I tried to add lyrics just for fun and got really carried away imagining it as an actual song. I even added an electric drumbeat too. After that it became an addiction and I’ve filled several notebooks with songs over the years.

What does songwriting mean to you? Songwriting is freedom. You can express any emotion, any opinion (you can be as political as you like) and really connect with people through your music. For me, songwriting is a therapy and the best way to get through whatever your feeling or thinking about. Sometimes I write songs to connect with others, and sometimes I write songs for just me.

What is your favourite part of the song writing process? I love it when you’re midway through writing a song and the words and chords start to flow without you even thinking. Sometimes, you can tell your words have really touched someone (even if it is just your dad) and that’s probably the best feeling of all.

How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? I usually start with a chord progression and sometimes the song just flows naturally, especially if I have a key idea I want to write about, but sometimes it takes a lot longer to get going. I often add nonsense lyrics over the top to find a good melody or start with stronger lyrics and write a melody to fit them.

Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. I wrote little girl sat at home with a guitar, a pen and some paper.

Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? I’d like to collaborate with Paul Simon as I grew up listening to him and really love the way he writes his music. I’d also like to collaborate with one of my favourite folk-Indie bands, Coco and the Butterfields, who have a really unique sound.

What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? This is a great opportunity to share your songs especially if you haven’t played in front of many people and it will give you great advice on how to improve and move forward. You also get to see all the other amazing work from people your age across the world too.

What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? I think my favourite other entry is Promises and Regrets by Stuart Veitch.

What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? What’s great about this competition is that you get the chance to have your own songs heard and critiqued by some of the most successful songwriters. It’s also amazing to hear original music from people your own age all across the world.

MAYONNAISE – ‘IF YOU WERE…’

What inspired you to write your finalist song? As someone who is affected by derealisation (which is a mental health condition), I find myself stuck in my own head a lot. My finalist song is not only a love song at the surface level, but it is also about running through different scenarios and thought processes until my own logic feels empty and love no longer seems worth it (shown through the reoccurring metaphors comparing the subject to different objects). The line “empty daydreams, empty days seem, to pass by quicker now without you” is about disassociating to avoid facing the reality of the situation. The song starts off innocently, with two verses being mainly complimentary, and with only one red flag: “till my eyes sting and hurt”. The further into the song it goes, the more clear it becomes that whatever relationship it is; it is toxic and damaging – “deep down I know you’re trash”. This builds and builds until the bridge, where I list off every flaw I had in the relationship with complete transparency. Overall, this song is about the mutual division of blame, with themes of overthinking and general heartbreak. I like to think that, however specific the true meaning, I have left the song open enough for anyone to find themselves in it.

What got you into writing songs? Over covid lockdown I struggled with a combination of finding an output for my emotions, and boredom – so I picked up a guitar and taught myself how to play. I built up musical courage by singing cover songs and posting them on YouTube for a while, until eventually I started writing my own songs to work through my feelings. At the time I knew I was gay, but I was also in the closet, so putting things into words really helped relieve some of the fear and tension I felt. The songs started off quite jagged and rough, but with a lot of practice and work they turned into something I am proud of!

What does song writing mean to you? Song writing for me is the best possible way to get out negative feelings, and to sometimes turn them into positive ones. A lot of my songs include incredibly sad lyrics with incredibly happy chord progressions – this helps me accept the way things are a lot more smoothly. Nowadays, I also use songs to revise (I am about a year away from taking my GCSE’s) – so far I have a song about memory lymphocytes, Gerald Croft from An Inspector Calls, and numerous maths and science equations. I also use song writing to spread awareness – for example, I released a song called purple daze about being non-binary.

What is your favourite part of the song writing process? By far my favourite part of the song writing process is when I find a line that really clicks with how I feel inwardly, whilst also sounding intricate and working beautifully with the structure. For me, songs tend to flow out quite organically, and I can usually finish writing one within half an hour, so I also really love the feeling of getting into the rhythm of writing. Although it technically isn’t part of the process, I really enjoy performing my songs too (at open mics or just to friends and family), and a bonus is I can get some constructive feedback to change things if needed.

How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? Sometimes I get inspiration from a movie or a TV show, if I get so immersed in the characters that I can find myself in them. Most of the time, however, I write from what I know – if I am frustrated about a situation, rather than lashing out, I’ll work through it in a song instead. From time to time I’ll be falling asleep, or taking a shower, and a really great line or idea will come to me, so I’ll make a mental note and frantically scribble it down whenever is possible. These, along with random voice notes with melody ideas, are what I go to for a spark when I’m out of inspiration.

Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. When writing the song, I used just a guitar and a notebook. When recording, I used Mix-pad (and a microphone) to record vocals and guitar, and I used BandLab to add all the other instruments.

Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? My dream artist to collaborate with would be Jacob Collier, as I highly admire his knowledge about music theory and his amazing, dreamy production style with layers upon layers of harmonies.

What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? I would say to grab a theme and stick with it. There is nothing more important than a good subject, as (depending on the order in which you write songs) good melodies and structures can blossom from anything you are passionate about.

What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? I adore the entries “By Your Side” by Arnav Merve, Ravi Kamath, and Arjun Ramani, and “Doing It For Clout” by Kacia, because I find it super impressive how they blend rapping and singing together smoothly in a song. Rapping is also a weak point for me personally, so I’d love to collab with someone who can.

What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? I love how it gives equal opportunities to everyone, no matter the level of production they have achieved. Song writing is such a competitive industry, and this competition makes things feel more within reach.

MAYA MARTIN – ‘LOST IN THOUGHTS’

What inspired you to write your finalist song? My song explores the difficulties of living with Alzheimer’s disease. My wonderful grandmother has late stage Alzheimer’s and I wrote this song because I want to try to understand  how she feels as this awful illness is happening to her. To forget how to do things against your will is probably so confusing and terrifying. We were so close and as she has lost the ability even to remember us, my heart breaks at the thought of how she must have felt at various stages of the illness.

What got you into writing songs? I have always enjoyed music and songwriting ever since I was very little. I wrote my first song when I was three years old! It was about a swing; so not groundbreaking but I always had a passion for music and was always interested in the work behind making a song. It is something I love to do in my free time.

What does songwriting mean to you? Songwriting is a way for me to express myself and to escape from reality. I mainly write songs when I am lost in a train of thought, like when you daydream in class. It comes to me easily that way and it means a lot to me as music is a big part of my personality.

What is your favourite part of the song writing process? My favourite part is probably writing the lyrics. I love the poetry involved in finding the right words. When I’m in a songwriting state of mind I find it relaxing and super fun!

How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? I usually start a song by thinking of random melodies and lyrics in my head. A lot of the time, it’s nonsense but sometimes it works really well and then I adapt from there. Songwriting isn’t something I can do just on the spot. If I want to write a good song, it takes me a lot of time. I mainly write songs when I’m daydreaming or by myself with a piano. I never try to force the process.

Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. I didn’t use any technical setup to write Lost in Thoughts. I just sat down at my piano and started playing. I worked through the melodies, chorus and bridge and the words came as I worked. Sometimes I work on songwriting equipment, but not in this case.

Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? I would love to collaborate with Jess Glynne as I find her lyrics and melodies so poetic. I would also probably want to work with David Guetta or Calvin Harris because it’s my dream to make a professional dance track!

What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? I would probably encourage them to be brave and go for it. If songwriting is something you love, then you should always take the opportunity to share your gift! Also, don’t try to force the lyrics. If they have real meaning for you, they will come and be better than if you are just looking for a word that rhymes, for example.

What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? I love Skye Bishop’s song Fourteen. I think she does such an amazing job tapping into what it really feels like to be a teenager. We’re not quite old enough to have lived through great love stories or events like that, so I really connect with they way she shows how a teenager feels.

What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? I like that it is an amazing opportunity to share my own songs and to listen to songs by young artists. It is not easy to find a platform and also to get objective feedback when you are young and the Song Academy really provides a great opportunity for that. 

MACY O – ‘LOVE RAMPAGE’

What inspired you to write your finalist song? This song was written after I contemplated one of my other songs, ‘I’m your high’ and thought, ‘what if I wrote a song from the opposite perspective?’. This song is all about how much you would fight to have someone back after it went wrong the first time. The song is written in a very persuasive way, as the person is trying to convince the person their interested in to reconsider.

What got you into writing songs? I started writing songs in 2020, with my first song commemorating the NHS with all the work they did during COVID 19. After I wrote that song, I instantly fell in love with songwriting and haven’t stopped writing since!

What does songwriting mean to you? It is the main way to express my emotions, as I find it really easy to put all of my extreme emotions into lyrics and music. Songwriting is also a very important part of my life as I feel I would be incomplete without it.

What is your favourite part of the song writing process? I enjoy all of it! If I had to pick, I would say when I have a small idea that I really like, I get really excited to develop it. In terms of production, being able to hear a song coming together over hours is very exciting to me.

How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? Sometimes, I start with a theme I like and develop chords and lyrics to suit the theme, but more often than not, a random melody or set of lyrics occurs to me and I have to run to a piano or sing it into my phone to make a note of it!

Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. My song ‘Love rampage’ started off on piano but when I went into magic garden studios in Worcester, it developed into a more modern track. We added a beat, a tag with a synth effect and some other effects.

Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? I think there are a few artists I aspire to collaborate with, but I think my top 3 would be Elton John, Lovejoy and Melanie Martinez.

What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? I would say don’t try and force an idea, if nothing’s coming, wait for inspiration to come to you. Once you find that inspiration (whether it’s a strong emotion, or certain experience you’ve been through) just run with it. I would also say don’t get frustrated if you can’t write or you listen to your draft a few days later and no longer like it.

What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? I like all of the entries, but if I had to pick 3 – ‘Honeyside’ by Tito Wiley, ‘Fraud’ by Daniel Macklin and ‘Promises and regrets’ by Stuart Veitch.

What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? I really like that it gives young upcoming songwriters a chance for their songs to be heard and recognition to be brought to them. I also really enjoy getting to listen to other songwriters and their styles. All the judges and staff behind this competition are really nice and it’s also very nice to liaise with them.

ROWAN ADDY – ‘FINE TOTALLY’

What inspired you to write your finalist song? Fine Totally is about overcoming the sadness that you feel when you are alone. It is inspired by times I haven’t always felt completely happy in my own skin but how I have learned to be happy on my own. Fine Totally was a theraputic song to write and helped me overcome anxieties I had about fitting in and being accepted by those around me. I wanted Fine Totally to have a positive conclusion to those feelings because I think the message of being confident in yourself and on your own is so important.

What got you into writing songs? I think there is a part of me that has always been interested in writing songs and music. My parents say that I would tell them to scribe for me what I sang, before I could write well enough. I have so many books filled with lyrics and words, some with music written too and some without. I became more focused in writing instrumentals and recording since the first lockdown in 2020.

What does songwriting mean to you? Songwriting means so so much to me! Songwriting can help me process things, its an outlet for thoughts and ideas, a way to be creative, a way to bond with other musicians and its fun! I would be pretty lost without songwriting and I’d always be wondering what to do!

What is your favourite part of the song writing process? My favourite part of the songwriting process is that moment when I have the skeleton of the song. When I have chords arranged and vague ideas for the melody and lyrics and then all I have to do is get creative and build from that initial idea.

How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? Usually a song idea for me will come from a life experience. If something I have lived through has given me an emotional response, my way of processing that is to write and sing about it.

Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. I first wrote Fine Totally on my acoustic guitar, after I had hummed melodies that later became lyrics I recorded a few rough versions onto i-phone voice memos. Once I had a secure melody and lyrics I recorded them into an app on my phone called Spire, I layered vocals on some lyrics and added harmony ideas. This recording was like a rough demo of the first verse and chorus. Once I had written the entire song, I recorded with help from my Papa, the recording that is my entry. We recorded and produced on Cubase and then added bass, electric guitar, cajon drum, and extra vocal tracks. Later we added the piano track played by Logan Foy.

Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? My absolute dream would be to collaborate with Finneas, I have been so inspired by his and Billie Eilish’s work over the last few years and I love how he writes and produces music, vocals in particular. Another artist that would be such a dream to write and collaborate is Weyes Blood. Her album Titanic Rising has been the biggest inspiration to me for instrumental and vocal arranging especially and I honestly think that album is perfect from start to finish.

What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? I would say, just go for it! It can be very nerve wracking sharing something as personal as an original song and you might not be fully confident in your work. However have faith and share your music! The Song Academy and young songwriters will support your hard work and will celebrate your talent and courage to express yourself though music.

What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? My favourite song is Promises and Regrets by Stuart Veitch. I love the chorus, its perfectly anthemic and choral. The piano really complements Stuart’s voice as he sings emotive lyrics. I’m very impressed and it would be great to collaborate in the future.

What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? The competition is a fantastic way to get your music out there, It can be difficult for young songwriters to get opportunities and this is a great one! It has also been a great way to listen to other songwriters my age. It has given me a huge confidence boost and has inspired me to keep going.

ELIZABETH EHINFUN – ‘PATHOLOGICAL LIAR’

What inspired you to write your finalist song? I was really interested in the idea of a “pathological liar” which is someone who had this compulsive behaviour of lying without any particular reason. Usually they feel little to no remorse for it. We all know that one person who is constantly playing with other people’s emotions with their deceitful words and if you were to confront them about it they would easily get defensive. I just decided to put all of my anger and frustration into one song that simply described what I wanted to say to those people. It was one of the very few times where I was actually proud of the lyrics I wrote and I wanted to say them with pride.

What got you into writing songs? I wrote my first song when I was 10 but I didn’t take it seriously until I was 13. And it’s all because of one person: my music teacher, Ms Solanki. I initially started writing songs as a rapper (hence the very long rap verse during the middle 8) however she got me into taking songwriting seriously when she told me about the Young Songwriter Competition 2 years prior. It was during the second lockdown and since then I submitted 3 songs – “Desdemona”, “Utopian Planet” and now “Pathological Liar”. The sound quality of the vocals wasn’t very good for my previous songs but now I am really enjoying the production and recording side of making music and I really want to explore what I can do with the resources I have!

What does songwriting mean to you? Songwriting to me means finding a situation, issue or an unexplainable feeling that sparks the words needed to describe it. It’s almost like painting a picture – you take inspiration from the people you admire and then over time you begin to develop your own style. It helps me show a completely different identity that I would not be able to express normally in everyday life. It’s also a coping mechanism for when I feel scared, worried or anxious.

What is your favourite part of the song writing process? My favourite part of the songwriting process would be the lyrics because I already have an idea of what I want the song to be like. I didn’t even have to get chords down I can already imagine a specific song that would fit the vibe and situation that I’m in at the moment. You also get to string multiple words together and create pretty clever and funny lines as well. I already had a writing background, writing short stories and poems in primary school, so this just made the process more exciting for me.

How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? Normally I would start to write a song with a basic chord progression in pretty much any key that I felt like would fit the mood of my song. Then I would start coming up with melodies and soon those melodies would turn into words. Sometimes it’s the other way round, where I start with the lyrics first. My process changes frequently since I have trouble sticking to a specific way of writing songs. It just gives me that flexibility to explore different structures that I never thought would become an integral part of the song.

Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. I used Soundtrap to make the backing track for the song where it was easier for me to find fitting sounds, create my own loops and even record my own vocals with no professional equipment. I had a computer and a USB mic I got on Amazon. I also had to start working on my entry a month in advance of the competition being open because I wanted to use the remaining time to do any final mixing and editing.

Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? Doja Cat – definitely her. I had all of her songs on repeat and her song’s encouraged me to include more rapping in my vocal based songs. I also want to work with PinkPantheress, I imagine myself hopping on a few of her songs, especially “noticed I cried”.

What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? Listen to all of the other entries – see if you can get inspiration from them. Also stick to your gut. If you feel that a certain idea would elevate it further, try it and see how it works out. Who knows, you might create something you like!

What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? My favourite entries were Central Line to Town by Mia Wilks (that song has been stuck in my head the moment I found it on Soundcloud), Fast Forward by Duo of Sound, Bulletproof by Diya Shanmugaraj  and Honeyside by Tito Wiley. I would really like to collaborate with all of the entrants I just mentioned but I also want to work with Kacia and Echo (These Days kinda reminds me of Måneskin’s Supermodel).

What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? What I like is that you do have a lot more freedom on what you want to say in your music. Of course you still have to be a little mindful about whether or not you’re offending a certain group but if you’re someone who’s really outspoken (maybe a little more than needed) then this could be a good opportunity for you to say what’s on your mind. I also like that it’s open to all genres so even if you’re not a singer songwriter in the traditional sense you still get a chance to express yourself.

MIA WILKS – ‘CENTRAL LINE TO TOWN’

What inspired you to write your finalist song? I wrote ‘Central line to town’ as I take the Central Line every day to school. Each day it’s really busy. Some days it’s so busy that you can’t breathe. Yet strangely it’s still an exciting journey. I remember one day a little girl was looking at me. I was smiling at her but she just couldn’t see my face as I was wearing a mask. It made me think about the interactions we have with strangers on the tube. We meet so many people but most are soon forgotten.

What got you into writing songs? I started to write songs over two years ago in lock down. I had time on my hands and I like to be creative. I started to write music in my bedroom, and released the tracks on Sound Cloud. Since then I have had radio airplay in London and the USA. I performed my first live solo concert in Trafalgar Square last year. It was an acoustic set of 15 songs. I was invited to do two live radio interviews and I am currently collaborating on various projects in the USA.

What does songwriting mean to you? Song writing, singing and music is literally my life every day. I spend all my spare time doing it, that’s how much I love it. I have a passion for song writing. It enables me to create stories. I love to sing something that has meaning for me.

What is your favourite part of the song writing process? My favourite part of song writing is when it finally comes together. Sometimes this happens within ten minutes, and I think ‘yes this is it’. Sometimes I write a whole song (for weeks) and it doesn’t work out at all. I have to start again. However I am very critical of my own songs. I must admit I am never fully happy with any of them.

How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? When I start to write a song I already know what the song is going to be about. For example, I am writing three new songs at the moment. One of the songs is simply about rain hitting my bedroom window and the sound of thunder. I am writing another song called ‘If I’m silent’ which is about my music career so far. It’s about me saying I am authentic and true to myself, and that I am quietly confident and want my music to speak for itself. The third song is called ‘No more tears’ which is about people hurting others, sometimes it’s not about you it’s about what’s going on in their lives behind closed doors. When I have the lyrics in place, I then create the music. I change the lyrics multiple times but never the theme. I am interested in all music genres but at the moment I am creating music with an R&B feel.

Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. My setup at home is simply an iPad and Garage Band.

Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? I am so excited to be collaborating with a brilliant USA artist at the moment. I have collaborated on three songs. Two songs where I am doing guest vocals, and my own song Dreaming is being remixed in the States. The three songs will form an EP that is going to be released on all music platforms soon. I would also love to collaborate with Steve Lacy and Tyler The Creator. In particular Steve Lacy started his career, like me, making songs at home on garage band. This inspires me to write more and more music.

What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? I try to live my life without hesitation. If I dream it, then I will do it, so I would say don’t hesitate to enter the Song Academy Competition. Sometimes songs can really bare your soul so just be brave and let other people listen. Don’t hold back as you could be the next SZA or Steve Lacy! This is the second time I have entered. I just keep going because I love music. My main tip is be true to yourself and write songs that mean something to you. Definitely write a song with a story, and then don’t hesitate to enter.

What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? There are so many songs I have listened to and liked…but one in particular that I just kept going back to is ‘My Life’ by Kaysan. I love a song that creates an atmosphere at the beginning, like when you are watching a film, and the music sets the scene. Kaysan’s song grabbed my attention. I knew there was going to be a story there. I love the flow of the words, and the rhythm. It’s one of those songs, that when it ends, you wished there was more. I could see us collaborating on one of my R&B tracks.

What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? I love the Song Academy Competition. It’s accessible to all and gives young songwriters the platform to showcase their work. I believe you can start your career with Song Academy. It’s not just a competition, it’s a community of young musicians all with the same drive…a passion for music.

JOSEPH DAVIS – ‘LAST TRAIN TO THE COAST’

What inspired you to write your finalist song? To be honest, Don McClean’s “American Pie”.  He uses a line that say ‘they took the last train for the coast’, referring to the deaths of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper – that line inspired my song. It’s a song about freedom and sorrow, just like American Pie.

What got you into writing songs? I’ve made up songs since I was really small, but learning to play guitar really pushed me forwards – I’m always coming up with new chords and riffs and they need a home in a song.

What does songwriting mean to you? I’m really proud of ‘Last Train’, I really feel I’ve hit my stride with this song. My little sister has disabilities and epilepsy, so songwriting gives me emotional outlet – it lets me move to another pace in my head.

What is your favourite part of the song writing process? I’m a perfectionist – which I’m working on, so having the finished recording that I’m happy with is the best bit.

How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? I normally do the music first, either create a riff or chord progression and then the words come later. I mess around with alternate tunings on my guitar and that helps me find unusual melodies.

Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. I like to be quite chilled when writing, so I was in my bedroom. I wrote the music first and then the lyrics and demo’ed it on GarageBand on my ipad. I was lucky that I got some studio time as a Christmas present, so this recording is from the studio but it’s very similar to my demo.

Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? So many – James Taylor, BB King, Paul Simon…

What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? You should do it, find an environment that suits you and you will write better and don’t rush it. Don’t measure what you do against anyone else – as long as your spirit comes out in the song that’s what matters.

What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? Isla Mae’s song “A Therapy Session in North Carolina” is cool. Several friends of mine entered the competition so it would be unfair to pick one, but we’re thinking about a combined entry for next year.

What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? It’s great that it’s only for young people, and you can get to know others songwriter who are a similar age. It’s really amazing to see so much talent from so many young people.

KACIA – ‘DOING IT FOR CLOUT’

What inspired you to write your finalist song? Coming from a disadvantaged area, unfortunately knife crime is something that we have to deal with. There are so many young people dying over something as simple as the postcode of where you live. This has a massive effect on our community as it ruins so many lives. So this is something that I am very passionate about.

What got you into writing songs? Due to a number of reasons I lost my place at mainstream school and as a result, I started at Stone Soup Academy, which is an alternative provision. It was here that I realised that I had a talent for music.

What does songwriting mean to you? I love it. It is a way to get all my emotions out and a way to cope. It isn’t always easy for me to express the things I’ve experienced, but through the use of music, I can.

What is your favourite part of the song writing process? I love when it all comes together at the end and the feeling I get when I have achieved this. I also love how my confidence improves as I progress through the track.

How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? I start with the melody and hook, and then I get to work on the lyrics. I use different artists for inspiration such as Tems. I start with a plan and then progress from there.

Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. I went to a music studio to record my track, the studio is in Nottingham. I worked with my teacher beforehand to practice my track. But mainly my notepad and music around me is the best setup.

Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? I love artists from similar backgrounds to me, as I find them very inspirational. I love Tems and Summer Walker, I think that their lyrical talent and flow very is amazing.

What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? Just do it. Do not listen to any doubts or fears that you are not good enough because we are all capable of great things, despite our upbringing. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Find yourself a mentor like I did for any technical support.

What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? It gives normal people, like me, the chance to do great things. I would never normally have an opportunity like this and I am so grateful to have made it as far as I have.

BAILEY BRITT – ‘OCTOBER BOY’

What inspired you to write your finalist song? I have written several different songs since I was 12 years old and October boy was my most recent composition. I’ve always been inspired by artists like Taylor swift and Lizzy McAlpine, especially on how they write songs and use layered vocals, so I wanted to try to make a song that used those skills.

What got you into writing songs? Both my parents are musicians (Dad Trumpet, Mum Singer), so I’ve been influenced with music my entire life. My parents have always encouraged me to write my own melodies and one day I tried it for the first time and haven’t stopped since.

What does songwriting mean to you? It’s a way to express myself and tell people my emotions in a less stressful way. I feel like with my song writing it’s easier to communicate my emotions rather than in a conversation where it can be hard to get out your feelings.

What is your favourite part of the song writing process? I love writing the melodies and creating new vocal layering and harmonies.

How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? I normally have this urge to write a song not quite knowing the topic that I want to write about. I start with having a vague idea on how I want the guitar part to go then I set up a video and record myself singing random melodies over the top, then I pick the melody I end up liking the most.

Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. I wrote this song in my bedroom and then once I worked it all out I recorded it in a spare bedroom my dad and me turned into a makeshift studio, with a mic and speakers and the app Logic Pro. Once we recorded the whole song I started adding all the vocals and instruments I wanted. I played the bass and strings parts with a MIDI Keyboard.

Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? I would love to collaborate with Lizzy McAlpine and Phoebe Bridges, but the top person would have to be Taylor swift.

What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? I really recommend entering the competition and my best advice is to relax and post a song that means something to you.

What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? I really like Skye Bishop’s ‘Fourteen’ song.

What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? It’s an opportunity for people to get recognised for their song writing skills and put out what they want to be heard.

JOHNNY BEAU – ‘THERE’S THIS PLACE’

What inspired you to write your finalist song? I often imagine songs or chords in my head and then try to get them out on the piano. It’s a song about dreaming. dreaming of someone you like and of writing a song for them.

What got you into writing songs? I have been writing songs since I was about 8. I love all kinds of music and I realised that its a great way to use your creativity.

What does songwriting mean to you? For me it is something I do in my spare time. I learnt the piano and guitar but what I really want to do is songwriting. When I am working on something time just disappears.

What is your favourite part of the song writing process? Probably when I realise what I have is good enough when all the pieces are in place.

How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? I just come up with things in my mind, or a certain chord progression and I go from there.

Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. Me and a piano

Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? I love Kate Bush, Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell.

What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? Structure is important- you want to get that hit when it gets to the chorus or a key change.

What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? I like the songs Silver Birch and October Boy, the quiet folksy sound is great. I want to do a vocal duet at some point.

What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? It a great way to focus your song writing and to hear others who love doing the same thing.

TITO WILEY – ‘HONEYSIDE’

What inspired you to write your finalist song?  I actually wrote the song around 2 years ago, it was a period of my life in which I was very happy since my life seemed to be going very well. I simply wanted to write something that would reflect that. I also used the song as a way to thank all my friends and family who have been amazing in supporting me.

What got you into writing songs?  I became inspired to make music when I was 11 and I listened to the album ‘flower boy’ by Tyler the creator. It was the moment I realised what an incredible tool music is to tell stories and express emotions. Since then I have been exploring many different styles of music.

What does songwriting mean to you?  Songwriting is incredibly important to me since it allows a way to tell stories through melody. Verbal storytelling is great, but finding the correct chords and sounds to match your words can really increase the potency of what you are trying to say.

What is your favourite part of the song writing process?  My favourite part of the songwriting process would definitely be finding the chords. The chords are always the first step to writing a song for me, so once I’ve established what they are, the rest of the song can begin being constructed.

How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark?  I am usually inspired by a real life situation. When I experience or observe something that causes very strong emotions, I go home and I find a melody to fit those emotions.

Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. For most of my songs, I use a digital keyboard which I plug into my mac running Logic Pro X. I record what I need to using the keyboard then modify it manually on Logic.

Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with?  It’s a strange choice, but I would love to collaborate with David Lynch. Although he is mainly a filmmaker, he also releases lots of music which I find bizarrely captivating, he knows exactly how to paint pictures through music. However my biggest dream would be to collaborate with The Weeknd, because like David Lynch he knows exactly how to paint pictures through music.

What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year?  I would say very simply to just write songs. Just keep writing and writing until you feel you have found something special.

What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with?  I very much enjoyed Skye Bishops ‘Fourteen’ since it contained a message very important to me, and one which I have touched on in some of my own work.

What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition?  I think that the competition is an excellent way for young aspiring artists to display their talents. And it gives everyone an equal chance.

LUCY HANSON – ‘PURPLE’

What inspired you to write your finalist song? I have synesthesia, meaning that when I read words, the words and letters appear coloured – for example, the letter A is green, B is dark blue and C is yellow etc, and it’s the same experience whenever I hear music or hear people speak, and this was the inspiration for my song.

What got you into writing songs? Writing songs has always been something that I have done, for as long as I can remember (even if the “songs” were just simple nursery rhyme style tunes!), and as I’ve gotten older it has become more and more important to me to write songs and record my music.

What does songwriting mean to you? I find songwriting is brilliant because it allows you express whatever emotions you’re feeling or what issues you’re passionate about a way that is entirely unique. Songwriting doesn’t have any boundaries either, and within it you can express exactly who you are, or who the character you have created is.

What is your favourite part of the song writing process? My favourite part is writing the melody. Often when I try writing lyrics, the tune seems to come as I’m writing them and I sometimes find it difficult to block out the melody to just focus on the words! Though it might not be original, something I love doing is fitting tunes to poetry as you read it – it’s a great exercise and such fun to do!

How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? As I mentioned previously, I usually find myself writing lyrics and melody accidentally at the same time, although I have a whole stash of tunes and riffs on my phone that I’m saving up to write more songs with! Often I also start with an idea of a different sort of style than I usually write in, normally influenced by one of my favourite artists. My song “Purple” was kind of done in a rush and I then regretted not having recorded and then submitted a song I was more proud of, but I’m still happy with it!

Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. My setup is usually just me in a quiet room with a computer, an iPad, a microphone, often a keyboard, my violin and sometimes a trumpet (and usually my sister Elly on a collaborative song!)

Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? Hmm… I’ve got so many favourites it’s hard to pick! I love KT Tunstall, Laufey, Elton John, Alaniss Morissette, Wynton Marsalis, Adele… and so many more!

What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? The Young Songwriter Competition is a fabulous thing to get involved in and if I were to suggest anything it would probably be that it’s important to make sure that you have enough time to feel comfortable and that you’re in a stress-free environment.

What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? I really like Tamara Hendin’s song, it would be great to collaborate with her in the future!

What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? It is a great way of focusing your mind on a goal!

BEN GUTHRIE – ‘WALKING IN THE RAIN’

What inspired you to write your finalist song? It was a rainy day and I was thinking about heading and leaving my comfort zone

What got you into writing songs? My Uncle Daniel.

What does songwriting mean to you? It’s my way of processing my thoughts.

What is your favourite part of the song writing process? Writing the lyrics.

How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? It starts from an idea/theme in my head.

Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. Just playing with a guitar then recorded in a local studio.

Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? Probably Queen,.. Alive today – Gerry Cinnamon

What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy? Go ahead, it’s a good opportunity. Be eccentric with your ideas.

What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? My favourite is the song ‘14’.

What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? It gives me a chance other people what I can do.

CHARLIE RYAN ‘DOORS’

What inspired you to write your finalist song? I struggle with ADHD. Living with ADHD, I sometimes find it very difficult to be taken seriously, but this song is about not letting anyone get me down by making me believe I am different. The verses tell the story of how I can sometimes feel isolated and how I worry that I am falling behind, but the chorus is about how I am not going to let it affect me, that I can choose the life I want and I can express that in music

What got you into writing songs? Seeing people that I admire doing it – like Molly my music teacher, someone like Frank Sinatra and the song ‘My Way’ is an inspiration. The essential message is to be true to yourself.

What does songwriting mean to you? It’s a way of getting ideas out of my head.

What is your favourite part of the song writing process? I like it all – each part is building on the part before.

How do you usually start a song? I suggest an area I am interested in, and Molly, my singing teacher,  gets me to write a few sentences about and we start from there. How do you find that spark? From the world around me.

Describe the setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. I would think of different words and then build them into sentences.

Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? My dream collaborator would be Elvis or the Beatles

What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? It’s a brilliant opportunity that you should grab with both hands. Do you have any tips for them? Don’t be afraid of success.

What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Doing it for Clout – Kacia. Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? Skye Bishop – Fourteen.

What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? The opportunity to share your work with like-minded people of your age.

SKYE BISHOP – ‘FOURTEEN’

What inspired you to write your finalist song? ‘Peer pressure’, ‘friendship groups’, ‘the ‘cool’ girls. Growing up is tricky. Especially between the ages of 14 and 15. You feel pressure to do things you don’t want to do. However, if you don’t, then you are cast aside. You become invisible, you’re no longer part of the conversation. Out of sight, out of mind. You feel alienated because you haven’t experienced the same things. This year has been a challenging time for both me and many of my friends. I wrote 14 because I knew I wasn’t alone in feeling this way.

What got you into writing songs? I have writing songs since I was 8 or 9. I find it a good way of downloading my thoughts and anxiety’s.

What does songwriting mean to you? A lot. It’s where I can escape and vocalise my frustrations. It’s funny, sometimes the worse my day, the better my songwriting!

What is your favourite part of the song writing process? Finding the hooks. I know I’ve got something special when I keep singing it to myself throughout my day.

How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? Lyrics and melodies run through my head when I slow down. You can’t force it. It usually happens when I’m a little bored… in the car or a bus… There’s no ‘process’ it just sort of happens. Once I have that first spark then I sit down at the piano.

Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. I have my piano, a note pad and voice notes on my phone. and I just scribble away.

Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? Coldplay or Katy Perry.

What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? Enter!! And don’t be afraid.

What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? I really like the song Trying by Bella Ross.

What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? The whole thing!!!

SAMUEL KHANNA ‘ONE OF A KIND’

What inspired you to write your finalist song? I wanted to show my sister the satisfaction of creating and finishing a song and maybe even encourage her to get into making her own music.

What got you into writing songs? I started piano when I was 5 years old and guitar when I was around 9. I have been extremely into music for years now and thought making songs would show me a way to put these skills into practise.

What does songwriting mean to you? Songwriting is such a good way to express myself and create any type of music I want to create. It gives me a sense of relaxation and is such a good hobby and hopefully in the future, a job.

Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. I used a midi keyboard (alesis v25) and a microphone (fifine k658). And made the whole song on FL studio.

Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? My dream artist to work with would either be NF Or Hans Zimmer as they are such big inspirations in my life

What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? If you have a song you’re proud of, even if you don’t think you have a chance in a competition like this, submit it anyway as you never know where it can take you.

What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? I have been listening to Sophie Feriani’s song called Lazy, it’s really impressive and catchy. Another great song from this competition was called October boy by Bailey Britt, she has a great voice and the song is quite easy to listen to.

What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? This competition gives all young songwriters a chance of winning and accomplishing something they can be very proud of. It also enables us to connect with other musicians which I think is really cool.

JEANNE MARIE MARAIS – ‘SILVER BIRCH’

What inspired you to write your finalist song? ‘Silver Birch’ just popped into my head a few weeks ago, and I had to quickly write it down before I forgot it! I sometimes feel self-conscious in front of people and feel I have to adapt to suit them. The lyrics of this song draw inspiration from the variety in nature and compare them to people.

What got you into writing songs? Since before my feet could reach the pedals,  I loved playing with piano and making up melodies. Then little phrases would pop up into my head with catchy tunes. I would play around with rhyming words and repeatedly say it and add to it until it became a sort of jingle. I imagine to be a Disney Princess who could burst into song whenever they liked!  And although these weren’t proper songs, I would feel so free when I did it; it was a way to process my emotions. I wrote my first tune when I was six. The score with my handwriting is framed in our music room! But the real things that inspire me, are things I see, or experience or feel. A few years ago, a girl at school wasn’t being very kind to me, so I wrote a little song in my notebook. It wasn’t good at all, but I was proud of it, and it helped me feel better about the whole situation. Then, about two years ago, I watched a documentary about how Taylor Swift writes her music, and this gave me a lot of motivation and ideas. I pay more attention to the world around me now and take inspiration from it to write my music.

What does song writing mean to you? Song writing mean so many things to me, but more than anything it is an outlet. Listening to music is wonderful, playing an instrument or singing songs is even more wonderful, but creating your own music, is incredible!  It’s passion; it’s inspiration; it’s communication; it’s confession; it’s storytelling. It’s how you feel, what you saw, what you want, what you need. It’s a message to someone or everyone, or no one. It’s a hello or a goodbye. It’s love or it’s hate. It’s joy or it’s depression.  It is a way of experiencing and processing the world around me – it is essential to living life to the fullest.

What is your favourite part of the song writing process? It is really hard to choose. I love that I’m constantly searching for inspiration, even subconsciously, because it means I pay a lot of attention to the surroundings and to my own thoughts and feelings. I love playing around with and searching for the right words to voice something in the right way. I love when a melody just works, and when a harmony works with it. I love tweaking and perfecting my song too. However, I would have to say that my favourite part is when it is complete and I reveal it to my mum, my dad and my little brother. They are always so kind and supportive, but not afraid to give me the feedback my song needs.

How do you usually start a song? How do you find that spark? I take inspiration from the world around me. I put my ideas and thoughts into my phone, both recording it on Voice Memos and writing it down in Notes. If I’m at school (where I’m not allowed my phone) I rip up little pieces of paper, write the words down, along with the melody using music notes, and when I get home, I put it into my phone. Sometimes, though, like with Silver Birch, a melody with lyrics just pops into my head with no apparent inspiration at all (that I know of). I love it when a song just happens in my head, because these seem to turn out better than the more calculated ones.

Describe your setup that you used to write your #SAYS23 entry. For Silver Birch, it popped into my head and I could hear that this is a guitar song, so picked up my guitar and captured what was already in my head. I had to double check the trees, so make sure the lyrics made at least some sense!  I also used my phone for this.

Who would be your dream artist/writer/band to collaborate with? My absolute DREAM would be to work with Freddie Mercury, but that’s not exactly possible. My second choice would definitely be Taylor Swift, because she has been an inspiration to me since I was little. She was the first artist that I liked on my own, not because my parents listened to her, but because I loved her. I had a CD with her 1989 album that I’d sing along to every single car journey. If I ever got to work with her, I’d thank her for being my biggest inspiration for song writing.

What would you say to someone aged 8-18 who is thinking about entering the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition next year? I was really embarrassed about my songs. I thought they were cringy and childish. The only person I showed to start with was my little brother. When he told me they were good, I didn’t believe him. I made up excuses, like ‘he’s only nine, he doesn’t understand what a good song sounds like’. He begged me to show my parents, and I did, and they loved my songs too. My mum entered me into this competition that my piano teacher mentioned, and now I am a finalist, with one of the songs that I thought was the most embarrassing of all. My advice would be to take the risk and enter your song, because chances are that you are the only one who thinks your songs are cringy and childish.

What are your favourite other entries from this year’s competition? Who out of the other entrants (it doesn’t have to be a finalist!) would you like to collaborate with? Who am I to tell – Erin O’Sullivan and Ollie  (really enjoyed this – the interesting chord changes and the storytelling of the lyrics)

What do you like about the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition? It pushed me out of my comfort zone. My songs have always been a very private outlet for me with only my close family to ever hear it. It is daunting to expose your mind and heart like this, but I am glad I did it.