The winner of the coveted Vanda & Young Songwriting Competition, which annually awards a major cash prize to recognise the artistic achievements of an Australian songwriter, has been announced and Isabella ‘Izzy’ Manfredi of The Preatures has taken out the major prize of $50,000 in the 2013 competition.
The Sydney five-piece’s winning single ‘Is This How You Feel?’, credited to Manfredi, triumphed over strong entries from the likes of Courtney Barnett, Bertie Blackman (with two entries), Mama Kin, Emma Louise and more in the 2013 Vanda & Songwriting Competition to claim the $50K prize, presented by competition sponsors APRA|AMCOS and music publishers Alberts.
Manfredi joins an illustrious list of previous female winners of the competition, including the ARIA-winning Megan Washington (in 2009) and neo-soul songstress Kimbra (in 2011).
Upon receiving the news of her win, Manfredi was asked just how she felt, responding with: “Astounding! Torrential! I cannot believe it. The boys and I are totally thrilled and very grateful!”
(Robert Conley, Isabella Manfredi and Brett Cottle. Image source: TheMusic)
‘Is This How You Feel?’ preceded the band’s recently released five-track EP of the same name and saw them embarking on a short June tour of the country, while the Sydney five-piece are gearing up for another headline tour this September before playing as part of Sydney radio station FBi’s 10th Birthday bash and the Falls Festival 2013 lineup in Lorne, Marion Bay, and Byron Bay over New Year’s.
Other winners in the 2013 Vanda & Young Songwriting Competition included Sydney’s Robert Conley, who took out second prize and received $10,000 for his song ‘Paper Thin’ (donated by the Australian Music Publishers Association), while third place landed as a tie between NIMA-winner Thelma Plum, for ‘Breathe In Breathe Out’, and Jasmine Nelson, for ‘Keep Her Close’, with each receiving $5,000.
“There’s a lasting value in the work that Vanda & Young winners contribute to the Australian music scene and body of work,” remarked APRA|AMCOS CEO Brett Cottle. “Knowing that we’ve invested in the creative careers of past and present winners and that the funds raised by this competition bring healing and connection through music therapy rounds this out as a really worthwhile endeavour for [us].”
The Preatures Australian Tour 2013 Dates & Tickets
FRI 06 SEP | OXFORD ART FACTORY, SYDNEY NSW
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix outlets
FRI 13 SEP | NORTHCOTE SOCIAL CLUB, MELBOURNE VIC
Tickets available from www.northcotesocialclub.com | 1300 724 867 | From The Corner Box Office
SAT 14 SEP | KAROVA LOUNGE, BALLARAT VIC
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix outlets, New Generation & The Regent Cinema
THU 19 SEP | JIVE, ADELAIDE SA
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix outlets
FRI 20 SEP | FLYRITE, PERTH WA
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix outlets
SAT 21 SEP | MOJOS, FREMANTLE WA
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix outlets
THU 26 SEP | TRANSIT BAR, CANBERRA ACT
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix outlets
FRI 27 SEP | BLACK BEAR LODGE, BRISBANE QLD
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix outlets
*special guests Chela on most shows (see website for all supports)
ALSO PLAYING AT:
FBi 10th Birthday
Sunday 8th September
Carriageworks, Sydney
Tickets through Ticketmaster
This is an 18+ event.
Falls Festival 2013
Marion Bay, TAS: December 29, 2013 – January 01, 2014 (All Ages)
Byron Bay, NSW: December 31, 2013 – January 03, 2014 (18+)
Lorne, VIC: December 28, 2013 – January 01, 2014 (18+)
Ticket ballot now open at http://fallsfestival.com.au/
