Ireland’s Gordon Barry Wins International Songwriting Competition

Widely considered as the world’s most prestigious songwriting competition and described by the New York Times as “the songwriting competition to take note of” the win means Gordon will join an elite group of previous winners including Gotye, Passenger, Gregory Porter and Bastille.

Speaking about Gordon’s win, Founder & Director of The International Songwriting Competition, Candace Avery, remarked that the judges were highly impressed by Gordon's lyrics and that it showed:

“That classic lyric writing is alive and well in the 21st century. With vivid imagery and the deft turn of phrase, Gordon's lyrics are certainly worthy of winning First Place..”

The annual event, which takes place in Nashville Tennessee, is judged by a panel comprised of some of the biggest names in music, which have included Tom Waits, the late Chris Cornell, Lorde, Rickie Lee Jones, Donovan and many more.

Speaking of the win, Gordon said: "I am really honoured to win the award knowing how much regard the ISC is held in and I'm obviously really proud of the song itself.”

He was particularly grateful the lyrics were so well received by people like Tom Waits an artist who has had a huge influence on him and who he considers “one of the greatest lyricists of our time”.

Gordon Barry who released his debut EP Sojourning in 2014 is set to release his winning single 'Devil & St. Jesus' in the coming weeks but it is available now on Itunes and Spotify.