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SONG WRITING 2019 FINALISTS

Think you can do better? Enter our upcoming summer contest opening June 1st!




Since 2014, IMSTA has supported many songwriters around the world by providing them with a platform to showcase their best music. In that time, we have been able to take a grand prize winner each year to the picturesque Black Rock Studios in Santorini Greece. There, they spend 4 days & nights working with talented creators from different corners of the globe to create a new piece every day.

In 2020 with the advent of the pandemic, we are determined to highlight the talents of songwriters around the world. In the first quarter of the year, the competition took a turn and began to reflect this challenging time that the entire world is conquering.

The 1st place winners from each region were handed a challenge; write a song titled ‘lockdown with love.’ Within a 14-day limit; they all did an impressive job! On these pages you will hear the songs from each songwriter. One of these talented creators will win the grand prize of software and & a trip to BlackRock Studios in beautiful Greece. Have a listen and we hope this will inspire you to enter the 2020 competition which is open!

Toronto Finalist

Mélissa Vales

Song: Lockdown with Love




Biography

Mélissa Vales is an Canadian singer, songwriter and dancer. As a fresh independent artist, she has recently released her first EP (The Things I Should've Said To You EP) as well as multiple singles which were featured on many Spotify playlist such as New Music Friday and New Music Friday Canada. The Berklee College of Music graduate combines her love for music and her knowledge of the music business to manage her own career and successfully navigate the industry. Ultimately, her goal is to bring back the excitement in the game and to innovate the live show experience.

Lyrics

I feel a little better
Less under the weather
I figured I’d let her, in
Better now than never Gotta lotta time
Better clean out my whole mind
mm uh huh, uh huh
mm uh huh, uh huh Gotta stop and find
All the treasures that ya hide
From ya
From ya
While you’re locked down with love

Lockdown with love
Lockdown with love
Lockdown with love
Issa lock down yeah (Ayo, ayo, ayo)
Lockdown with love
(Ayo, ayo, ayo)
Lockdown with love
(Ayo, ayo, ayo)
Lockdown with love
(Ayo, ayo, ayo, ayo)
Issa lock down yeah

[Verse 2]
I feel a little stronger 
The doubts are getting smaller now
I stand a little taller, yeah
My head’s above the water now Sun is shining bright
Golden hour on my life
mm uh huh, uh huh 
mm uh huh, uh huh
Skin is looking nice
Got the demons out of sight
Just unlock your mind it’s time to unwind

[Chorus]
(Come on it’s a)
Lockdown with love
(issa, issa)
Lockdown with love 
(issa, issa)
Lockdown with love
Issa lock down yeah (Ayo, ayo, ayo)
Lockdown with love
(Ayo, ayo, ayo)
Lockdown with love
(Ayo, ayo, ayo)
Lockdown with love
(Ayo, ayo, ayo, ayo)
Issa lock down yeah

It’s not a race
I like the pace
I like the space It's not a race
I like the pace
I like the space

Germany Finalist

Séamus Scanlan

Song: Lockdown with Love




Biography

Séamus is a musician who falls into simple melodic guitar loops and self-reflections. His love of music grew in the era of emo and hasn’t strayed too far since. He released a few singles in 2019, including Maybe Tomorrow, a song that explores warming up to your interiority. He has also written and produced two instrumental albums under the name Níos Moille, an Irish phrase meaning “slower,” as in pace. All of his music can be found on the major music streaming providers.

Lyrics

Tell me what to say
I’m used to only finding ways out
Should I go and find a way out

I can be okay
Dancing in the rain and the clouds
Even when they change, I breathe it out

Do we stay the same?
Carry all our pains and our doubts
Trying all our days not to shout

Someone say my name
Say it in a way that feels good
So I can finally know that I’m good

Lockdown with love
Lockdown with love
Lockdown with love
Lockdown with love

Lockdown with love
Lockdown with love
Lockdown with love
Lockdown with love

Seoul Finalist

Ryan Lee

Song: Lockdown with Love




Biography

Ryan Lee is a Korean composer, arranger and engineer. He is based on K-Pop style music and produces a wide range of music, from dance to ballads. He has extensive experience in broadcasting, game music, recording and mixing engineer. He is now producing his songs with artists from Korea, China, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia.

Lyrics

너를 처음 봤던 그 순간 (The moment I first saw you)
세상이 잠시 멈춘듯 했어 (The world seemed to have stopped for a moment)
어두운 내 삶을 비춰준건 (The light of my dark life)
It's you It's you

너를 위한 내 맘의 노래 (Song of my heart for you)
나 어떻게 불러 줄 수 있을까 (How can I sing this song)
이제 내게 두려운건 없어 (Now there's nothing to fear)
It's you, Yeah

외로워 하지마 혼자가 아냐 (Don't be lonely, You're not alone)
니 곁에 항상 내가 지켜줄거야 (I will always protect you by yourside)

You're the only one I love Lockdown with Love
You're the only one I need Lockdown with Love
You're the only one I love Lockdown with Love
You're the only one I need Lockdown with Love

우리 서로 다른곳에 있지만 (We are in different places)
난 너의 맘을 느낄수가 있어 (I can feel your heart)
모든것이 멈춰버린 듯 해도 (Even if everything seems to have stopped)
It's you It's you

저 멀리서 나를 보고 웃는 (You are smiling at me from far away)
너의 미소가 너무나 예뻐 (Your smile is so beautiful)
이제 내게 두려운건 없어 (Now there's nothing to fear)
It's you, Yeah

LA Finalist

Bri Holland

Song: Lockdown with Love




Biography

Bri Holland is a music producer, engineer, songwriter, vocal arranger, and singer based in Los Angeles, CA. She records, produces, and mixes for vocal and a cappella artists around the world, including Meg Donnelly, Casey Baer, and Voices in Your Head. Recent film/TV projects include Alvinnn! and the Chipmunks, Dreamworks' TrollsTopia and Madagascar: A Little Wild, Disney’s Fam Jam, and SyFy’s Looking for Leia. She is also deeply passionate about music education and works closely with the Young Musicians Foundation in LA. Bri’s multi-awardwinning debut single, "Louder" (deemed "empower-pop at its best" by LOUD WOMEN) is available now on all streaming platforms.

Lyrics

La la la la la la lockdown
With
La la la la la la love la la la la la la lockdown
With
La la la la la la love

I am so happy you’re alive
To see the stars come out tonight
One of these days we’ll go and join them

Dreamin on diamonds in the sky
I wish I could be by your side
But here I stay in California

And you say
Every day
Is like the last
And time is moving fast
And there’s no turning back
So I say

Take a deep breath and slow down
Be here in the now
We’re gonna figure it out
Don’t you call it quits
Let’s come out of this

La la la la la la lockdown
With
La la la la la la love
(Let’s come out of this)
La la la la la la lockdown
With
La la la la la la love

I am so happy you exist
The future’s too hard to predict
Nevertheless we must persist
We must persist

And you say
Every day is like the last
And time is moving fast
And there’s no turning back
So baby

Take a deep breath and slow down
I know you are hurting
I’m gonna love you out loud
Need you to know that you are not a burden

Take a deep breath and slow down
Be here in the now
We’re gonna figure it out
Don’t you call it quits
Let’s come out of this

La la la la la la lockdown
With
La la la la la la love (let’s come out of this)
La la la la la la lockdown
With
La la la la la la love (let’s come out of this)
La la la la la la lockdown
With la la la la la la love (let’s come out of this)
La la la la la la lockdown
With
La la la la la la love

Keep your head up
Keep your head up
Keep your head up
We’re gonna need you
Keep your head up
Keep your head up
Keep your head up
We’re gonna need you

London Finalist

Georgia van Etten

Song: Lockdown with Love




Biography

Georgia van Etten is a soulful, blues-driven songstress and international touring artist based in London. She has wowed audiences globally from the mega Falls Festival in her homeland Australia, to foremost London venues Borderline and Ronnie Scotts to famous European festivals like Montreux Jazz (Switzerland), Porretta Soul (Italy), Ealing Blues (UK), Cambridge International Jazz (UK) and Jazz à Vienne (France).

Lyrics

Hey are you there
I know it’s been a while since we talked but
I don’t care
About the time that’s passed or the reason
Coz I swear
You were once the knock on my door and
I can’t bare
Another pale morning or season

Coz the world’s, gone, mad
And I’m dreaming, thinking, about what we had
About what we had

And baby ooo ooo
You can change the sky above or you can
Take my job or the coffee in my cup
Oh baby ooo ooo
Take it all you want
Coz you can lockdown the world
But you can’t lockdown my love

Hey are you there
Did you, hear them talk on the tv
And are you scared?
You know that
I’ll be here if you need me

Coz the world’s, gone, mad
And I’m dreaming, thinking, about what we had
About what we had
And baby ooo ooo
You can change the sky above or you can
Take my job or the coffee in my cup
Oh baby ooo ooo
Take it all you want
Coz you can lockdown the world
But you can’t lockdown my love

And I’m on, my knees (I’m begging)
Lockdown with love
And my love is free

And baby ooo ooo
You can change the sky above or you can
Take my job or the coffee in my cup
Oh baby ooo ooo
Take it all you want
Coz you can lockdown the world
Lockdown the world
Lockdown the world
But you can’t lockdown my love

Miami Finalist

Aykay (Christopher Pierson)

Song: Lockdown Love




Biography

Aykay brings an evolution of growth and energy to his music that is unparalleled.

Rising above the struggles of life in a poor, broken household, Aykay found music in his hometown of Livingston, Texas. At age thirteen, he began creating. Collaborating with other local Texas artists, Aykay became one of the original members of the rap collective, MGB, which included the members Ammo and Scuba. After a studio robbery, however, the group was discouraged. Fed up with financial setbacks, Aykay joined the Marines in 2015 to gain stability in his path. When his time was served, and honorable discharge received, Aykay got right back to making music. In 2018, he relocated to Los Angeles to pursue his music career.

Feeling like an underdog all his life, Aykay takes a bleak view and channels it through spirituality. He puts that power straight into his work, creating a rich pallet of sound. Relaxed melodies ease you in, while Aykay’s quick voice casually carries you away.

His songs “Losing Time,” which features Scuba, and “Only for Tonight,” featuring Maurion, were highly anticipated. Hype Magazine, Respect Mag, and Hip Hop Canada all published articles covering their release. Aykay’s two most recent music videos, “BIG Facts” and “TOXIC,” have been gaining considerable momentum on YouTube. “TOXIC,” in particular, has become his most popular video, stylized in a horror theme with eerie color corrections that reveal Aykay laying down lyrics in psychedelic technicolor.

In the 2019 single, “Losing Time,” Aykay raps about the time lost on the grind to the top. Time and stress were worth it, he says in the line,“Fell in love with pressure, make a diamond every time.” His new EP, Diamond Child, echos those lyrics. Upon the release of Diamond Child, Aykay explained the development of both diamonds and himself. “It starts as a piece of coal. With time and immense pressure, it is molded into a diamond.—I’m not perfect, which is why I relate to this process so much. This project is my claim, to keep striving to be the best version of myself that I can be.”

With over 20,000 followers and 40,000 listens, Aykay keeps evolving in the cultural revolution of music that he sparks and represents. Poised as the generational leader and trendsetter of a globally diverse music era. Aykay has positioned himself as the “undisputed”champion of change and the future of musical vision.

Lyrics

Lockdown love ay
Girl your body my drug say
I fell in love with your touch ay
You ain't gotta say much wait

Look into your eyes and all my problems disappear
I tell you all my problems you would probably disappear
She don't wanna be alone only reason why she here
It's that lockdown that love... It's that lockdown love x2

Victoria on her body ask If I could keep secret
Told her don't run throw it back then I could probably keep it

You've been teasing for some months so you ain't come here for no reason
Grab a seat off the wine what you thinking ay

Baby you incredible delicious you look edible
Your body so impeccable together we in separable
Let's stack up it up like Tetris too
Ain't no one gonna measure you

I don't wanna talk all night, but I just know ay
I just cannot I can't let you go ay

Way you make me feel I just don't know
I just don't know that lockdown love oh no ay ...oh no It's that lockdown love

Lockdown love ay
Girl your body my drug say
I fell in love with your touch ay
You ain't gotta say much wait

Look into your eyes and all my problems disappear
I tell you all my problems you would probably disappear
She don't wanna be alone only reason why she here
It's that lockdown that love... It's that lockdown love x2

You know your body exquisite
I make you cum when you visit
Could be part a of the vision
Unless you want the division

Relieve some sexual tension
I fell in love with your healing
I wonder tell me what you think about that x 2

Lockdown love ay
Girl your body my drug say
I fell in love with your touch ay
You ain't gotta say much wait

Look into your eyes and all my problems disappear
I tell you all my problems you would probably disappear
She don't wanna be alone only reason why she here
It's that lockdown that love... It's that lockdown love x2

It’s the Lockdown love
It’s the Lockdown love
Lockdown love
Your body my drug say
No I can’t get enough
Lockdown love

NY Winner

Carley Coma & Steven Richards

Song: Locked down with Love




Biography

Steve Richards, is an Independent musician/ guitarist, producer and songwriter with over twenty years of writing & recording experience as well as live touring. As a guitarist, Steve has toured both nationally and internationally and has garnered several endorsement deals with manufactures including ESP Guitars and Splawn Amplication. Steve has worked with producers Rob Hawkins (Disciple, Fireflight) and Travis Wyrick (P.O.D.).

Carley Gervais -AKA Carley Coma, is an independent songwriter, vocalist and producer with over twenty years of writing & recording experience as well as live touring. As a lead vocalist/songwriter and producer, Carley has toured both nationally and internationally and has worked/collaborated with Producers Dave Bendeth (Paramore, Breaking Benjamin), Rob Hawkins (Disciple, Fireflight), Ben Moody (Evanescence) and Travis Wyrick (P.O.D.)

Lyrics

The world’s gone crazy
Just like that, we were left alone
Things changed for you and me
The fire in your eyes has become my home

Forget the madness outside
When the morning comes we will find a way
Everything will be alright
I believe
I believe

Breaking
I can’t wait
Been so long
Calling
We will fight
We are strong
Our hope
Make a stand
Here with you
Let it flow
Saving me
Locked down with love
Stay close

I’ll fold you tight
Take my hand
Don’t be afraid
I’m here, trapped inside
I promise you now we’ll see better days

Forget the madness outside
When the morning comes we will light the way
Everything will be alright
A new day
A new day

Breaking
I can’t wait
Been so long
Calling
We will fight
We are strong
Our hope
Make a stand
Here with you
Let it flow

Saving me
Locked down with love
Locked down with love
Locked down with love
Locked down with love
Locked down with love

NAMM Winner

Caroline Pernick

Song: Lockdown with Love




Biography

Caroline Josephine Pernick is a SF Bay Area native currently located in Los Angeles, who is passionate about catalyzing awe through song, storytelling, movement, and musical composition. Pursuing her B.A. in Musical Theater at the University of California, Los Angeles, Caroline was titled Overall Winner of UCLA’s Spring Sing (past winners include Sara Bareilles and Katie Boeck) for her 2018 duet performance of “For I Fear,” with friend and collaborator Hayden Everett, and is in the competition again this year as a solo performer. Caroline is currently raising money to produce her first EP (gf.me/u/xyqamz), and recently released her new single ‘Snow’ on streaming platforms everywhere! Other interests include driving to nowhere in particular, trying to perfect the coffee to milk ratio, and being inspired by her friends and family.

Lyrics

My dear, it’s been 6 weeks now since we’ve all been inside 
They tell me you’ll be leaving soon, and we won’t change their minds
You might think they’re afraid of you, that fear can spread like fire 
But I think it’s time I tell you I’ve found lots of silver lines
I think it’s time I tell you if you stayed id be just fine 

My dear it’s been 3 months now since we’ve all been inside 
I’ve reread all my favorite books, back to the nest I fly
they’re mad we’re still together amongst the sun and skies of blue 
But they won’t admit the sky is much more blue because of you  
I know that they are hurting but I think you might be too

Have you seen 
Clearer skies 
In your life 

Have you heard 
Kinder words
You’ve turned us upside down and set us right 
To quarantine with love,
The earth says thank you and dear so do I
I can’t say that I’m ready for goodbye 

My dear it’s been two years now since we’ve been back outside 
The birds are getting quiet and there’s grey back in our skies 
I think they’ve all forgotten or pushed you out of their minds 
But I miss the empty highways and the gratitude for life 
I hope we soon remember all those tiny worlds inside 

Had you seen 
Clearer skies 
In your life 
Had you heard 
Kinder words
You turned us upside down and set us right 
To quarantine with love, 
A word I use for those who’ve changed my life
For you dear, I’ll lockdown with love