Monday, March 22, 2010

International Songwriting Competition

The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is the top songwriting competition in the world.

last year i heard about it and decided to submit our song "Fifth Tambourine." i almost didn't do it cause i thought it would be a waste of 30 bucks or whatever. who actually wins these things anyway? well, we do... kinda.

each year they get thousands and thousands of submissions. then they narrow it down and pull together a panel of celebrity and industry judges. the founders of the competition aren't involved in picking the winner, so each year around christmas time they do a promotion where they choose their favorite song. yep, you guessed it, they chose us! i received a sweet personal congratulatory phone call from founder Candace Avery and a check in the mail for $1,000!!!

i explained to her that the timing was almost comical. having happened within a week of losing a couple band members.

we also made it to the finalists. so this april (2010) our song will be judged by the likes of Tom Waits, Kings of Leon, Robert Smith, Black Francis & James Mercer among others. the grand prize winner takes home $25,000 in cash and $3,000 in prizes. our hopes aren't up, but omg.

however small or big this whole thing is it's encouraging, and a nice reminder that we're in the right business. the business of making songs.

8 comments:

  1. No doubt about it! You guys are the heart of this business. :)
    I'm so so so excited to see what happens! Castledoor deserves the WORLD.
    Now go headline Coachella 2011 already.

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  2. Castledoor has never gotten the respect it deserves, so I'm so happy for you all! Congrats and keep doing what you do best. :)

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  3. Yayyy...you guys HAVE to keep making songs.

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  4. Im freaking out for you right now, because you sounded to calm about the whole damn thing.

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  5. Congratulations! Certainly deserved. I have a question though...as "long-time" Castledoor fans, we kinda feel like we wish there was some explanation as to why the guitarist left the band. Like, why didn't he make some kind of statement or give some reason why he left. Just wondering and kinda feeling like we should have some explanation.

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  6. Congratulations guys! Very well deserved - and I wish you the best in the finalist round.

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  7. hip hip hooray for castledoor!! looking forward to plenty of splendid music from a lovely band!! :]

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