International Songwriting Competition’s annual song contest |06 March 2021

Gilles ‘El Manager’ Lionnet

Gilles Lionnet’s New Beginning song reaches the semis

Better known as El Manager, Gilles Lionnet stands a big chance of winning something great on the international music scene as his song titled New Beginning has made it to the semifinals in the Folk/Singer-Songwriter category of the International Songwriting Competition’s annual song contest.

Asked by Seychelles NATION if he expected the song to meet this kind of success, Lionnet replied: “My main objective was to expose the song. This has been partly achieved. Whatever happens next will be a plus. Winning won’t be simple. There are great songs out there. Reaching the best 10 with Larenn Sega in the Radio France Internationale Découvertes song competition out of 800 songs was a great feeling. But this one is special. Among the top 9% from 26,000 entries is satisfactory judging from high calibre professionals like Coldplay, Linkin Park etc. I would recommend all song writers in Seychelles to go for it. You can upload any existing songs and don’t have to create a new one.”

The finalists will be selected from the group of semifinalists and will be announced soon.

Lionnet added: “I hope more attention can be focused on promoting and exporting music made in Seychelles. It could play its role in bringing in much needed foreign exchange.”

The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is an annual song contest that provides the opportunity for both aspiring and established songwriters to have their songs heard in a professional, international arena.

It is designed to nurture the musical talent of songwriters on all levels and promote excellence in the art of songwriting. Amateur and professional songwriters and musicians are invited to take part.

ISC is a great opportunity for songwriters, musicians, and performers to win cash and prizes, further their music careers, and gain recognition and exposure in the music industry. All styles of music are accepted.

It is said to have the most prestigious panel of judges of all the songwriting and music contests in the world, offering exposure and the opportunity to have your songs heard by the most influential decision-makers in the music industry.

In total, 71 winners will share US $150,000 in cash and prizes and the grand winner will pocket US $25,000.

Local song writers and singers are informed that entries for ISC 2021 are now open at the early bird discounted rate of US $25 per entry.

Some of the past winners are Tones and I, Illenium, Kehlani, Vance Joy, Gotye, Bastille, The Band Perry, Kimbra, R.LUM.R, Passenger, Faouzia, Kasey Chambers, Lindsey Stirling, Kate Miller-Heidke, Gregory Porter, King Charles, Gin Wigmore, Andrew Bird, Tommy Castro, for King & Country, Omar Sosa, The Teskey Brothers.

Compiled by Gerard Govinden