We’re introducing The SoundCloud Standout Award to celebrate the unsigned songwriters creating music on our platform.
Here’s how the award works. We’re taking the top 10 tracks from the 25th anniversary NSAI Song Contest competition and putting them in the SoundCloud Standout Award playlist. Listeners can vote for their favorite track by liking the track until February 7th at 12pm EST. The track with the most likes will be crowned the winner — and the songwriter who created it will receive a series of prizes including a year of SoundCloud ArtistPro, a session with a SoundCloud Industry rep to learn about the best practices on the platform to ensure their music continues being successful, and opportunities to be highlighted across SoundCloud channels.
GET TO KNOW THE SONGWRITERS BEHIND THE TOP 10 TRACKS OF THE COMPETITION
Alex Lomartire blends together country’s sounds of the past and present in his music. A native of Dover, New Hampshire, he’s honed his craft through writing full-time and working with industry leaders.
Brad McKinney hails from Kentucky and has been penning country music since 2013. He won the American Songwriter 2025 Session One Lyric Contest and continues to impress with his lengthy catalogue of unforgettable music.
Claire Flynt’s multi-genre sounds find inspiration from the music of Maggie Rogers and Julia Michaels. Claire is no stranger to the NSAI Song Contest. She was a co-writer on the 2022 grand prize winning song “Hurtable.”
Elizabeth Makris is a highly sought after songwriter and collaborator that writes shoulder-grooving pop music. A graduate of Norway's Lillehammer Institute of Music Production and Industries, she’s impressed artists across genres who rush to work with her.
Emma Place’s music defies genres because of how she blends the worlds of country and pop together. Inspired by musicians like Laura Veltz and Steph Jones, her songs are defined by their heartfelt storytelling.
Josie Bisto is a songwriter who’s work spans a variety of major genres With more than 50 cuts, her songs have been played across a variety of stages including the renowned Grand Ole Opry.
Rachel Harvey Hill is a songwriter based out of Nashville, inspired by Sheryl Crow and The Love Junkies. She’s won awards like the Bluebird Golden Pick from the famous Bluebird Cafe and a New England Songwriting Competition for her music.
Sam Blasko finds comfort in country music’s storytelling, melodies, and lyrics. Her love for music comes from how it makes you feel, and she infuses that understanding into her songs that have amassed millions of streams.
Tim Comeaux is a country and Americana writer with several decades of musical excellence under his belt. He co-hosts an annual songwriting retreat in Nashville where he helps develop the next generation of musical talent.
LISTEN TO THE PLAYLIST AND LIKE YOUR FAVORITE TRACK ON SOUNDCLOUD NOW
