APRA AMCOS’ SongHubs Auckland returns in April, invites Australian songwriters

APRA AMCOS is bringing back its SongHubs songwriting retreat to Auckland in 2018, with the next program to be held at Neil Finn’s Roundhouse Studios between April 16-21.

There are 16 spots – 12 for writers and four for producers – where New Zealand and Australian writers, artists and producers can collaborate with international writers.

These will be chosen by Welsh producer Greg Haver, who now lives in New Zealand after a career working in the UK with Manic Street Preachers, Melanie C, INME, Catatonia, Super Furry Animals and Bullet For My Valentine.

After moving to NZ, Haver has produced sessions for Opshop, The Feelers, Kimbra, Junica and Goodnight Nurse, recently produced albums for Ciaran McMeeken and Jasper Hawkins and currently working with The Chills and Ekko Park.

Haver also founded the New Zealand Music Producer Series

Guests at the sessions include:

• Heather Morgan –Nashville-based staff songwriter for Sony ATV Music Publishing who had two #1 singles with Brett Eldredge (the first one, ‘Beat Of The Music’ also won her BMI’s 2015 Country Song Of The Year). Morgan, who is releasing her own album this year, had her songs featured on the Nashville TV show recorded by Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Sara Evans, Martina McBride, Cole Swindell, A Thousand Horses, Lindsay Ell, The Eli Young Band, Thomas Rhett and Dierks Bentley.

• Marc Beeson –based in Nashville, has had 100 songs recorded, including by Reba McEntire, Jason Aldean, Garth Brooks, Martina McBride, Billy Currington, Blake Shelton, Lady Antebellum, Carrie Underwood and Chicago.He’s won 10 ASCAP awards including both Country and Pop Song of the Year for his #1, ‘When She Cries’. He co-wrote Billy Currington’s #1 single ‘We Are Tonight’ and more recently, the title track of Ashley Monroe’s Grammy-nominated record, The Blade, Blake Shelton’s ‘She’s Got a Way With Words’ and Josh Turner’s #1, ‘Hometown Girl’.

• Kate York– she has written for a diverse range of artists from Little Big Town to Fall Out Boy.She’s also penned songs for numerous hit TV shows and films including Grey’s Anatomy, The Fosters, New Year’s Day, One Tree Hill, Hart of Dixie, and countless songs for the show Nashville – one of which won her an Emmy for the song ‘Nothing In This World Will Ever Break My Heart Again’.

You are eligible to apply for SongHubs Auckland 2018 if:

• You are an elected full writer APRA member.
• You can show either commercial success or a strong track record of audience and industry support within the past two years
• You have a manager, record company, music publisher, or distributor supporting your career
• You have a recording scheduled for release during the 12 months following SongHubs Auckland 2018
• You have collaborated and/or worked on successful local or international releases
• You are keen and willing to collaborate with other artists, songwriters and producers
• You are willing to make yourself available for media relating to SongHubs Auckland 2018, and for your image and biography to be used in association with this and future SongHubs events.
• You are available for the duration of SongHubs Auckland 2018 – including the introductory drinks on Sunday April 15 and the Wrap / Listening Party on Saturday April 21.

The offer includes:

• Two fully-funded places for internationally based APRA AMCOS members – this includes return flights to Auckland from anywhere in the world, accommodation for seven nights and per diem of $60 NZD per day for six (6) days.
• Two fully funded places for APRA AMCOS members who are resident in New Zealand – this includes return flights to Auckland from anywhere in New Zealand, accommodation for seven nights, per diem of $60 NZD per day for six days.
• Twelve non-funded places for APRA AMCOS members who are resident in New Zealand.

Online submissionsclose at 5pm on March 7. Successful applicants will be advised by March 20.

APRA AMCOS acknowledges the support for SongHubs Auckland from NZ On Air, Auckland Council, Recorded Music New Zealand and the New Zealand Music Commission.