Ivor Novello Awards judge and former All Saints star Shaznay Lewis has spoken to Headliner about this year’s Rising Star award and what it can mean for the careers of new artists.
An Ivor Novello Award winner herself, Lewis will once again be on the judging panel for this year’s event, which returns to London’s Grosvenor House on Thursday, May 19. As ever, the ceremony will boast a stellar line-up of artists and songwriters, with the likes of Adele, Ed Sheeran, Dave, Coldplay and Raye all in the running for Songwriter of the Year.
Celebrating albums released in the UK in 2021, Best Album nominees this year include Laura Mvula’s Pink Noise – co-written with Dann Hume, and Sleaford Mods for Spare Ribs’ Receiving three of his four nominations in this category is Dean ‘Inflo’ Josiah Cover for his work with Cleo Sol on both her album Motherand SAULT’s NINE alongside fellow co-writer Jack Peñate, and with Little Simz for Sometimes I Might Be Introvert.
The Best Song Musically and Lyrically category consists of nominations for Rag’n’Bone Man’s All You Ever Wanted, Adele’s Easy On Me, Ella Henderson’s Let’s Go Home Together, Sam Fender’s Seventeen Going Under and Holly Humberstone’s Haunted House, with their co-writers.
This year’s category for Best Contemporary Song also features Rising Star Award nominee PinkPantheress for Just For Me, as well as a second nominations Little Simz for I Love You, I Hate You. Also recognised for outstanding originality in songwriting are Russ Millions and Tion Wayne for Body, James Blake and SZA forComing Back, and FKA twigs, Headie One and Fred again... for Don’t Judge Me.
Back for its third outing to date is the Rising Star Award with Apple Music, which is designed to discover, support and accelerate the careers of the most promising young UK or Irish songwriters.
This year sees an all-female list of nominees, featuring Ashaine White, Luz, Matilda Mann, Naomi Kimpenu, and PinkPantheress. Each will receive mentorship from a well-established Academy member, as well as support from leaders from Apple Music. Illustrating the impact of the award, 2021 nominee Holly Humberstone is now in the running for Best Song Musically and Lyrically this year.
Headliner spoke to Lewis to find out more about what the ivor Novello Rising Star Award can do for artists and why the Ivors is a music industry event like no other…
How vital can the Rising Star Award be for new artists and songwriters?
The Rising Star Award can be crucial to young artists who pride themselves on their craft and can benefit from that early acknowledgment from their fellow songwriters.
As an Ivors Award winner and judge, what do you look for when assessing new talent?
I usually spend a few hours listening to submissions back-to-back. I find that sometimes there is a pattern, a series of songs and styles musically and vocally that can sound similar. When assessing new talent, I’m always looking for the one song that doesn’t sound like the rest, that isn’t chasing trends or generic. The more unique and interesting the better.
The Ivor Novello Awards are arguably held in higher esteem than any other UK music award for songwriters. Why do you think that is?
The Ivors are held in such high esteem because they are judged by other successful and well-respected songwriters and also because they award songwriters and composers solely for their talent and craft. They’re crucial because songwriting can be a long and arduous process. A lot of effort goes into cultivating organic, original music and the Ivors recognise this. People often know the songs but not always who has played a part in writing them, so the Ivors are crucial for shining a light on writers and composers who the public may not be familiar with.
Does the prestige associated with the Ivors become even more meaningful for Rising Star winners?
I would hope that it gives Rising Star winners the confidence to know that by winning an award such as this they are heading in the right direction. They are being recognized for their most gifted talent, songwriting, of which the importance can sometimes become secondary to the other trappings of the music industry.
How did you feel when you won an Ivor Novello Award?
Winning an Ivor was an important moment in my career, especially being a black British female songwriter. There were probably only a handful of us at the time that had broken into the industry. I chose not to go to university and my father was not enamoured by my choice. When I received my Ivor award it felt as though the sacrifice had been worthwhile.
What would be your advice to aspiring artists and songwriters looking to break into today’s industry?
My advice to aspiring artists and songwriters is simple, always be your authentic self. If it sounds different to what’s out there, it’s probably right.