With the advent of new technology and a little effort, it is now possible for just about anyone to become a musician. Even those without a lot of musical talent, per se, can program a keyboard, press a few buttons and be ready to hit area stages in no time at all.
However, the most difficult part of being a successful artist isn’t in the musicianship. It’s in the songwriting. Whereas most any musician can play the chords, actually composing a combination of music and lyrics, complete with the song hooks to make a tune memorable, can be difficult.
Hoping to nurture songcraft in San Diego, Clairemont-based singer Sandi Shaner will host the finals of the inaugural “Summer of Songwriting Contest” at Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge on Shelter Island on Sept. 20.
Trials will be held on Friday, Aug. 15 and Saturday, Aug. 30 at the Skybox in Clairemont. According to Shaner, more than 100 performers have entered the contest, including Ocean Beach resident Barbara Nesbitt and other notable San Diego musicians Austin Jennings and Chelsea Flor.
“As a promoter, I wanted to create some passion in the music scene,” said Shaner. “I figured that the best way to do that is to have a contest. It just took off from there.”
Shaner began writing songs a decade ago, releasing three albums since 2002.
“(Songwriting) became the best way for me to release my emotions, humor and aggression all at once,” she said.
Shaner said she felt creating songs under any circumstances was an endeavor that would be a beneficial situation for all involved. Having a contest would be the ideal way to showcase the area’s best tunes and their creators.
“I love that first ‘wow’ feeling I get when I hear a song that I can connect with,” she said.
The winners of the event will be determined by what Shaner calls “extra-qualified” judges, including producers Sven-Erik Seaholm and Jeff Sers, as well as San Diego School of Music instructor Kevin Thomas.
Contestants will be rated on song structure, hook strength, lyrics and audience reaction. The top songwriter of the 24 finalists will score prizes, including cash, studio time and graphics design, but more importantly will also have their music submitted to Mamalahoa Publishing for possible use in upcoming TV and film projects.
Shaner said she is thrilled at the amount of interest this event has generated within the Los Angeles music industry.
“We all know how hard it is to find a publisher who will accept your songs and give you a chance at a publishing deal,” Shaner said. “Through this contest I was able to secure the top 12 finalists to be part of a catalog that will be handed to Mamalahoa Publishing.”
For Nesbitt, the prizes were only part of the motivation.
“I was inspired to do this because I want to play new places, have new musical experiences, meet new songwriters and ideally win some cool stuff,” she said. “So, win: I get some cool stuff; lose: I still get all that other cool stuff. It is a win-win.”
For contestant Jordan Reimer of North County, the added value in an event like this is more direct.
“Every artist will take something different from this in the end. For me, it is giving me the confidence to play in front of judges,” he said.
Veronica May is more succinct.
“I think competition is healthy, and win or lose ends up making you a better musician,” she said.
While Shaner will not be judging, she will host the event and perform at the finals. Though she won’t be eligible for prizes, she will kick off the show with a short set, designed to showcase her own music and to remove a little of the natural tension inherent in such competitions.
“By having the finalists judge me, I think they will all relax and have fun,” she said.
Shaner’s “Summer of Songwriting Contest” finals take place at Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge, 2241 Shelter Island Drive on Shelter Island, on Saturday, Sept. 20. The event is for ages 21 and up.
For more information, visit www.humphreysbythebay.com.