When does the next Unsigned Song Contest start?
The next contest is scheduled to open for entries on 6th January 2008 and closes 3rd March 2008.
What age do you have to be to enter?
The contest is open to those 13 years of age or older. There is no age limit, in fact, the 2007 winners were a band of 16 year olds!
What genre does the Unsigned Song Contest specialise in?
The contest is for everyone. All genre's are welcome. 2007 winners were a jazz/blues band and the runners up were soul and acoustic pop songwriters respectively. We've had entrants in the past from hip hop, rap, metal, indie, rock, pop, RnB, jazz, blues, soul, country, folk and dance genres.
Do you have to be a solo songwriter to enter?
No. The contest is open to collaborations, groups and bands, as well as solo writers.
I don't have access to good recording equipment to record a demo. How good does the recording need to be?
The recording of your song(s) is not taken into account in the judging process. All we ask is that the main melody and lyrics can be heard. It is also beneficial to us that you include song kind of lyric sheet with your entry. A recording on a dictaphone is fine.
I'm not the greatest singer. Can I get someone else to sing my songs and will the vocal performance affect my chances?
You do not have to sing your own material nor do you need to be the best singer if you do sing your own songs. The song itself is what is being judged, the craft, and the songwriter's intentions measured against the successful implementation of those intentions.
How does entering Unsigned Song Contest affect the copyright of my material?
Copyright is always retained by the songwriter. We will not use your song for outside uses without your prior consent.
Does entering more than one song give me a better chance of wining?
Not at all. Everyone has equal chance of winning Unsigned Song Contest. Last year's winner entered one song while many other finalists entered 3 songs. Each song is judged individually and judged on its own mertir separately from other songs entered by the same person.
How much is the entrance fee?
To enter your best song the entrance fee is £10. Two songs is £20, three songs is a discounted £25 and up to 12 songs is £30. 12% of each entrance fee in 2008 will be donated to two charities: British Tinnitus Association and Musician's Benevolent Fund.
Why is there an entrance fee?
The entrance fee is simply to cover costs of arranging prizes, guest judges and helpers, plus it is used to aid the winners if they have to travel to prize dates (studio weekend prize for example). As the contest is run by unsigned songwriters we are independent of any industry bodies and so all work done towards the organisation of Unsigned Song Contest is alongside other jobs and commitments. The majority of money raised goes back into the contest to develop it for the next year's contest. Those who have entered before will see how the contest has grown from the first contest in 2007.
If I win, what can would I get?
In terms of prize info check out our 2008 Prizes section. Generally, we are a contest organised and run by unsigned songwriters in association with bodies within the music industry such as Roland UK, Peer Music, PRS, Musician's Union, and others. The idea is to help further another unsigned songwriter or writers to achieve a career out of music. We do this by offering prizes that help advise, inform and promote the winner.
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