AUDIENCE SONG 2020: a project by SONG CONVERSATIONS
Meet the Songwriters
Read the stories
Follow the journey
About Audience Song 2020
Join in, share your story and spark positive change through the medium of songwriting.
Through the power of words, we can share important messages of courage and hope.
In our daily lives, we face challenges and uncertainty. We believe there are personal stories that deserve to be heard. By showcasing a story, there is a chance to make a difference to our sense of wellbeing – and even raise the spirits of the wider community.
Audience Song, a project by Song Conversations, brings together eight songwriters from around Aotearoa. Each will write a song inspired by one or more of the stories.
Audience Song is a project made possible by funding from Creative New Zealand.
How the project workS
PEOPLE SUBMIT THEIR STORIES
A selection of these uplifting short stories will be shared, to create awareness and build a sense of togetherness during a vulnerable time.
STORIES INSPIRE SONGS AND MINI SONGS
Each songwriter chooses one or more stories to inspire their new song.
SONGS ARE SHOWCASED
Audience Songs and stories will be showcased right here and our social media platforms.
meet the songwriters
Our songwriters are a diverse and talented bunch. They will be looking for uplifting short stories that speak of overcoming challenges in our fast-changing world.
Click through their profiles to learn more about them, hear their music and submit your story for the Audience Song project.
SUBMIT YOUR STORY
In our daily lives, we face challenges and uncertainty. By sharing uplifting stories we can share important messages of courage and hope. You can choose to submit your story directly to a songwriter of your choice by clicking through their profiles above or submit using the button below and we will match your story with a songwriter.
Grace Duncan
21yrs (Paraparumu/Kapiti) Alt.Folk, Soundscape
“Topics close to my heart include issues of social justice, mental well-being, and hope!”
Raised in the heart of Te Matau-a-Māui (Hawkes Bay), and now living in Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington), singer-songwriter Grace Duncan offers her thoughts on purpose, and identity with her beckoning voice, reflective lyrics and pensive mood. Grace’s first release “Come, We Must Go” encourages and challenges listeners to reflect on their roles as people of Aotearoa, and second release “Time Will Tell” resonants with those questioning and rethinking conclusions around faith.
Want GRACE to write your song?
Isla
26yrs (Tāmaki Makaurau) Indie
“It’s been quite the year, for many reasons! I’d love to hear stories about the people who have supported you through this madness. I also feel quite connected with issues of anxiety, so if you’ve struggled with feeling overwhelmed or isolated then I would be honoured to hear your story.”
Indie artist Isla is a singer, songwriter and cat enthusiast based in Auckland. She found her feet as a performer when she attended an open mic in a sea cave, and was inspired by the overwhelming warmth and talent of the community. She formed a band of cave people, and brought her ideas to life for debut EP Weirdo with the help of talented new friends. Isla continues to use songwriting as a time capsule for life’s events.
Want isla to write your song?
Callum Lee
27yrs (Tāmaki Makaurau) Eclectic, Nostalgic
“Truth, faith, anger, fear, our internal world is manifest in our technology and held in front of us as a mirror. While we see the world rising up in solidarity for justice, we also witness our fears among a sea of misinformation.”
Callum Lee is a 27 year old songwriter and producer who releases music as Rewind Fields, and composes for media and film as himself. In February 2020, Callum released his first single ‘Move that Way’ under the project Rewind Fields. Later this year Callum is following this up with an EP with a single collaboration with Auckland musician, Lucky Boy, and is writing music for a separate project called Odica.
Want Callum to write your song?
Brayden & Leea
(Tāmaki Makaurau) Pop, rock, folk, RnB, Musical Theatre
“As proud members of the rainbow community, we are passionate about expressing who we are through music. If you are LGBTQ+ and have a story to share about any aspect of your life, queer relating, or otherwise, we would be delighted and privileged to turn it into song.“
A hunger to write in as many styles and for as many different projects as possible has led them to write for TV (Oddly Even), Radio (If I Can’t Have You – Navvy) and Theatre (Schlunted, She’ll Be Right – A Zombie Romp, The Downs and Ups of Peep and Squeak, Jelly Baby, The Isolation Mixtape) as well as playing for an eclectic bunch of Auckland artists (Lucky Boy, Treenurse).
Leea (She/They) and Bray (Them/They) are both passionate music educators, who emphasise creativity and inclusivity in their teaching. Leea is particularly proud of her work with Girls Rock, a music program dedicated and catered towards providing a safe space for women, transgender and gender-non-conforming youth where music is the medium to build confidence, empowerment, and foster social change.
Whether it’s dressed as rock, folk, RnB, or Musical Theatre, at the core of Leea and Brayden’s writing is a firm adherence to Pop songwriting sensibilities. They just love a hooky melody with a concise and emotional lyrical punch.
FOLLOW BRAYDEN
FOLLOW LEEA
Want brayden & Leea to write your song?
Eli Moore
31yrs (Kaitaia) Indie eclectic Jazz
“Hi, I’m Eli. I have a heart for issues of spiritual poverty: loneliness, feeling lost. I’d like to affirm hope, the value of life – find the silver lining.”
Growing up on ‘old’ music he fell in love with the idea of ‘the song’ through the oeuvre of The American Songbook, ’50s pop, and the next three decades of musical innovation that are still his favorite musical eras. In 2017 he released his debut album ‘Ship Life’. Continued influence by peers led Eli to learning modern production techniques, the first fruits of which are the entirely self-produced ‘home skillet’ EP. Something of a tribute to ’90s urban music, it’s the first step in his new direction of being writer/performer/producer/mixer.
Want Eli to write your song?
Odds and Ends
(Tāmaki Makaurau) Upbeat indie pop w rock elements
“I look forward to the many and diverse stories and people to connect with, and I hope to put your unique experience into music.” Koen
Odds and Ends are four songwriters with influences drawn from alt-rock, indie-pop, jazz, and funk. With countless local shows under their belt, this energetic four-piece that has no trouble hyping up the crowd. With versatility, they can deliver powerful rock songs and emotional ballads. “Odds and Ends are like the perfect fruit salad; filled with juicy melodies, tasty songs, and sweet, sweet harmonies.”
Want ODDS AND ENDS to write your song?
Steve Tofa
45yrs (Hamilton) Blues
“As someone who has overcome his own drug and alcohol addiction in the past, I would be honoured to convey your story with honesty, respect and gratitude. And if you want to write your story in Samoan, please do send it in.”
Steve’s song ‘Bone Dat Needs Pickin’ has just been chosen as one of the 20 finalists for the coveted APRA Silver Scroll Awards. The authenticity and unique flavour of this multi-genre track make it well-deserving of its inclusion in the top 20. Having recently released his debut album ‘The Barefooted Beast’, he has another album in the works with several standalone singles to complete; His next project ‘ Koko Stax ’ is due out at the end of the year.
The former frontman for Auckland underground indie Rock/Soul band, ‘The Mercenaries’ from the late 90’s to mid 2000’s, has worked providing both vocals and instrumentation to music for the likes of Don McGlashlan (The Mutton Birds), Soni Segala (Dei Hamo) and Paul Mathews (Stylus,I Am Giant).The former frontman for Auckland underground indie Rock/Soul band, ‘The Mercenaries’ from the late 90’s to mid 2000’s, has worked providing both vocals and instrumentation to music for the likes of Don McGlashlan (The Mutton Birds), Soni Segala (Dei Hamo) and Paul Mathews (Stylus,I Am Giant).
Want STEVE to write your song?
Em Joy
(Christchurch), Folk
“I have always written my music as a way to collect and process inspiration, insights and lessons from the good times and the bad. I’d love to hear stories people may be able to share of how they’ve found inspiration, growth or insight through these challenging times.”
Her first EP “Say Nice Things” released early 2013. Em Joy has also been a songwriter for Sony EMI since 2016. Her Song ‘Angel’ written for Sony EMI has very recently gone viral gaining over 15 million views on youtube after being used in a video game. Em Joy released two singles ‘Home’ and Golden Soul’ in 2016. and in 2018 Em Joy released her first full length album, aptly named “The Wanderings” which was recorded in Perth. She is based in Christchurch and is currently working on further live videos and continues writing for film and TV.
Want Em Joy to write your song?
Right now is tough…
Need to chat?
Here is a list of places you can reach out to:
- LIFELINE 0800 543 354 or (09) 522 2999
or Free text 4357 (HELP) - YOUTHLINE 0800 376 633
- SAMARITINS 0800 726 666