Morgan Evans, Odette, Ruel among 2019 Vanda & Young finalists

The finalists for the 2019 Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition have been announced, with names including Morgan Evans, Ruel, The Presets, Far East Movement, Odette and Matt Corby all featuring.

The competition saw 3,683 entries from 48 countries, while the Top 40 includes 23 first-time entrants shortlisted alongside some industry stalwarts.

One-third of all the songs named are categorised as ‘unpublished’.

The competition is named for iconic songwriters and founding members of The Easybeats, Harry Vanda and the late George Young.

The four winners will be announced in July.

First place will win a A$50,000 cash prize thanks to APRA AMCOS, Alberts and BMG.

Two runners-up will receive A$10,000 thanks to AMPAL (Australasian Music Publishers Association), while third place gets A$5,000 courtesy of Aon.

The best ‘Unpublished’ work will be awarded A$5,000.

The entrants helped to raise $184,150 for Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia (NRMTA) thanks to entry fees.

“It means the world to our organisation and the children and adults we work with daily to have the support of over 3,600 songwriters from around the globe, whose competition entry fees go directly to providing much-needed resources for a range of therapies and programs,” said Belinda Leonard, CEO of NRMTA.

“A heartfelt thank you to Alberts and APRA AMCOS for championing this initiative for the past decade and thank you to songwriting legends Harry Vanda and George Young who continue to inspire.”

Previous winners include Amy Shark’s ‘Adore’ (2018), as well as Gretta Ray (2016), Husky Gawenda (2014), The Preatures (2013), Kimbra (2011) and Megan Washington (2009).

The full list of shortlisted songs can be streamed on Spotify or Apple Music.