Edwin Pope and Joe Smithson were the winners of the SongLink songwriting prizes at Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA).
The two LIPA graduates received the prizes on the institution’s graduation day on 31 July. Lead patron Sir Paul McCartney was also on hand to give out certificates to 280 graduating students.
Songlink’s David Stark, a LIPA companion, said: ‘As always it was a very hard decision to choose two winners from around 20 really strong 3rd year contenders on the songwriting course, but Edwin and Joe are both fantastic writers fronting terrific bands who I have every confidence will be going places with their music.
‘I wish them every success and am delighted to play a small role in helping them get up the ladder, joining previous LIPA alumni like The Wombats, the Zutons, Sandi Thom, Dan Croll and others who have all made their mark in the music business here and abroad.’
Edwin is songwriter, lead singer and sax player with Mutant Vinyl while Joe is lead singer and songwriter for Collectors Club.
Companion of LIPA honours were also handed out to nine special guests, including lyricist Don Black, producer Giles Martin (son of Sir George), Island Records president Darcus Beese, actor Sam West, theatre director Adrian Jackson, National Theatre director Nick Starr, theatre designer Colin Richmond, lighting designer Patrick Woodroffe and dancer Briony Albert.
Visit songlink.com and lipa.ac.uk for more information.
The two LIPA graduates received the prizes on the institution’s graduation day on 31 July. Lead patron Sir Paul McCartney was also on hand to give out certificates to 280 graduating students.
Songlink’s David Stark, a LIPA companion, said: ‘As always it was a very hard decision to choose two winners from around 20 really strong 3rd year contenders on the songwriting course, but Edwin and Joe are both fantastic writers fronting terrific bands who I have every confidence will be going places with their music.
‘I wish them every success and am delighted to play a small role in helping them get up the ladder, joining previous LIPA alumni like The Wombats, the Zutons, Sandi Thom, Dan Croll and others who have all made their mark in the music business here and abroad.’
Edwin is songwriter, lead singer and sax player with Mutant Vinyl while Joe is lead singer and songwriter for Collectors Club.
Companion of LIPA honours were also handed out to nine special guests, including lyricist Don Black, producer Giles Martin (son of Sir George), Island Records president Darcus Beese, actor Sam West, theatre director Adrian Jackson, National Theatre director Nick Starr, theatre designer Colin Richmond, lighting designer Patrick Woodroffe and dancer Briony Albert.
Visit songlink.com and lipa.ac.uk for more information.
