Listen Up Music unveils $10,000 prize for JobSeeker Anthem Contest

Listen Up Music is on the hunt for an anthem.

Today (July 6), the registered music charity launches its JobSeeker Anthem Contest, with the winner collecting a $10,000 cash prize and the promise of exposure.

Unlike other songwriting competitions, Listen Up Music’s new project has a strict brief.

It’s all about raising awareness of those forced to live below the poverty line, where the successful song will appear in future campaigns to drive home the need to lift the JobSeeker payment.

Artists keen to participate should write and record a number that “represents those unable to make ends meet on current income support,” organisers say in a statement.

“There was widespread support for a raise in income support rates but the resulting $4 per day earlier this year did little to change things for people living in poverty,” comments competition co-convenor Stacey Thomas, CEO of The Wyatt Trust.

“We need to continue to give voice to those on JobSeeker and having an anthem that speaks to the dilemmas they face is a new way of doing this.”

The deadline for submissions is Sept. 5.

JobSeeker Anthem Contest

Song contest co-convenor, Paul Madden, points out the JobSeeker payment of $44 a day results in people having to choose between things like putting food on the table or paying bills.

“Providing, along with others, a donation towards the $10,000 anthem prize was easy,” he explains. “The hard part is understanding why our government persists in refusing to provide a basic safety net for those who are unemployed or underemployed.”

Officially formed in 2018, Listen Up Music was founded by Ali Taylor and Hank Paul with a mission is to build community, facilitate storytelling and promote positive mental health “through the power of music.”

Its initiatives include The Songwriting Prize, Torch Fest and our Mental Health Music Course.

Visit www.listenupmusic.com.au for details on the contest. 

This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.