MLT Songwriting Award
Congratulations to the winner of the 2023 MLT Songwriting Award
Matt Joe Gow - 'Whirlwind'
Matt Joe Gow grew up in the deep south of New Zealand in a town with bad weather and good music: Dunedin. Surrounded by music, he was encouraged to pick up a guitar at an early age.
After traveling the world, Matt moved to Melbourne, Australia, drawn by its vibrant music scene. In 2009 he released his debut record The Messenger, produced by multi-Aria award-winner Nash Chambers.
It would be his 2018 album Break, Rattle and Roll, an ambitious sprawling Americana record which would go on to win the Music Victoria Award for Best Country Album. Matt headed back into the studio in 2020, however midway the world was hit by the coronavirus pandemic. The result is a unique record. The album ’Between Tonight & Tomorrow’ went on to chart on the ARIA and Australian Independent charts in its first week, garnering 5 star reviews and critical acclaim.
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To find out more about Matt visit https://mattjoegowmusic.com/
The 10 finalists for the 2023 MLT Songwriting Award were: (in no particular order)
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''Nobody Warns You’ written by Mel Parsons (Lyttelton)
''Daffodils’ written by Jenny Mitchell & Ron Mitchell (Wellington/gore)
''Little Less Lonely’ written by Jenny Mitchell (Wellington)
'Comte de Paris’ written by Kate Targett-Adams and Chad Robinson (Queenstown)
'Goosebumps’ written by Keith Pereira (Auckland)
Help Me Remember’ written by Keith Pereira (Auckland)
'Whirlwind’ written by Matt Joe Gow (Melbourne - orginally Dunedin)
‘Love Ya Like I Can’ written by Matt Joe Gow & Kerryn Fields (Melbourne - originally Te Kuiti/Dunedin)
‘Prairie Song (Hard Times)’ written by Kerryn Fields (Melbourne - originally Te Kuiti)
'Co-Parent' written by 'The Waxbirds' - Peter & Joanne Green (Christchurch)
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