And the winner of the 2023 SOCAN songwriting prize is…
[A follow-up by contributor Elisa F.G. – AC]
Winner winner, chicken dinner! Music fans across the country have voted, the 2023 SOCAN Songwriting Prize winner recipient is none other than Luna Li (a.k.a Hannah Kim) for her song “Silver Into Rain” featuring beabadoobee who just so happens to have been the winner of the 18th annual Songwriting Prize. Nicely done!
“It’s an honour to be recognized by SOCAN and the community around me” said Hannah Kim. “‘Silver Into Rain’ is ironically a song about self-doubt and a lack of belief in myself, so to me this prize is a particularly meaningful symbol of support. I feel incredibly lucky to have so much encouragement early on in my career.”
From a young student attending the Classical Conservatory of Music In Toronto being trained in piano and violin, to mastering the harp, bass, electric guitar, drums, now Luna Li can add “songwriting champion” to her lengthy list of achievements. Her debut album “Duality,” released in 2022 was her followup to her viral jam sessions that gained online traction for her multi-instrumental style.
The SOCAN Songwriting Prize is a major award consisting of a $10,000 cash prize, a Yamaha musical instrument valued up to $2500 (MAP1) and a $500 gift card from Long & McQuade.
A separate competition conducted for songs in French, named Gabriel Bouchard the winner of the Prix de la chanson SOCAN for his song “Ton shift est pas fini” written by himself and Mathieu Quenneville; performed by Gab Bouchard; published by Éditions Bravo Musique Inc.
Other extraordinary songs included in the English category were:
- Always – written by Felix Fox-Pappas, Chester Hansen, Eliza Niemi, Alexander Sowinski, Leland Whitty, Jonah Yano; performed by Jonah Yano; Hansen, Sowinski and Whitty published by Third Side Music Inc., Yano published by Secretly Canadian Publishing.
- Big Steppa – written by Bolu Akande and Tosan Arenyeka; performed by aRENYE.
- Grab Your Guts – written by Maylee Todd; performed by Maylee Todd.
- IF THERE’S NO SEAT IN THE SKY (WILL YOU FORGIVE ME???) – written by Saya Gray; performed by Saya Gray; published by Saya Gray/Kobalt Music Publishing Canada.
- Levels – written by Max Akres, Jeremy Alain, Corben Bowen, Zachary Djurich, Chris Larocca, Herag Sanbalian, Jacob Wilkinson-Smith; performed by Boslen. Larocca published by Kilometre Music Group. All rights on behalf of Kilometre Music Group B administered by Warner Chappell Music Canada Ltd.
- Put ‘Em Down – written by Jeffrey Maurice, Joshua Qaumariaq; performed by The Trade-Offs.
- STEPMOM – written by Dacey Andrada, Justin Tecson; performed by Dacey.
