For the sixth time, TONO member authors and their music publishers were honored at the Music Publishers Award. Here is a list of this year's winners.
/ 27/02/2020 / Kristian DugstadOn Wednesday, February 26, the Music Publishers Award was presented for the sixth time.
The award ceremony is organized by the organization Musikkforleggerne, an association of Norwegian registered music publishers. Musikkforleggerne is one of the organizations that has permanent representatives on TONO's board.
Here is a complete list of this year's winners.
Work: Thinking of you – Gabrielle
Author: Gabrielle Leithaug, Ole Torjus Hofvind and Syver Storskogen.
Music publisher: Starbox Publishing and Sony/ATV Music Publishing Scandinavia
The jury's reasoning: In many ways, it stands out as the essential track on an otherwise excellent autumn release. A song whose lyrics are about coming to terms with a breakup and moving on in life. But also about being able to look back on what was in a new light and learn from it. It is bittersweet, but also recognizable to most of us. Together with Syver Storskogen and Ole Torjus Hofvind, the popular artist and songwriter from Bergen has worked out an airy and warm production that fits the theme of the lyrics like a glove. Together, it constitutes a work that can make tears flow while you listen alone on the tram, but at the same time can get thousands of hands with lighters and mobile lights in the air during a concert.
Work: "Circling"
Author: Maja Ratkje and Monica Aasprong
Music publisher: ilhelm Hansen
The jury's reasoning: The winning entry in the Work of the Year category was written for the Norwegian Girls' Choir, and it is distinguished by a simple expression, which at the same time is given an exciting design by well-thought-out moves and beautiful details. The work suits the instrument well, and works particularly well for its target group. The composition manages to balance between several directions in contemporary music, and can therefore reach a diverse audience.
Author: Morten Gillebo (Mogilla)
Music publisher: Cassette Publishing/Warner Chappell Music Norway
The jury's reasoning: The award for Author of the Year goes to a songwriter who has made a name for himself in the Norwegian and international music industry throughout 2019. The winner has produced several high-profile releases in Scandinavia and is considered to be one of the most promising producers in Norwegian urban music. The winner of Author of the Year is chosen based on his ability to put his personal touch on everything he works on. He has a unique sound and, as both a songwriter and producer, he manages to bring out the artists' vision in a unique way. The winner is behind several critically acclaimed releases from 2019, including with artists such as Arif and Dutty Dior. There is no doubt that we will see more of Gillebo in Norwegian music in the future.
Author: Ketil Hvoslef
Music publisher: Norwegian Music Publishers
The jury's reasoning: The winner of the Composer of the Year category is distinguished by his many years of work and large production, and a tireless will to compose. The production ranges widely in terms of both genre and instrumentation, where highlights from last year include a commissioned work for a Janissary orchestra for BIT20, a recording and release of a piano concerto with Leif Ove Andsnes and the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as a chamber music concert during the Bergen International Festival. Despite his advanced age, this is a composer who plays with music and humor, in constant search for the new and unexpected. In 2019, he celebrated his 80th anniversary, and it is therefore a special pleasure to award this year's prize to Hvoslef.
Author: Marie Ulven (girl in red)
Music publisher: Universal Publishing Group UK
The jury's reasoning: Songwriter, composer and producer Marie Ulven undoubtedly made her mark on the music year 2019 with solid single releases and her second EP "Chapter 2", which garnered both good reviews and millions of plays and views on Spotify and Youtube. With real and relatable lyrics, and catchy indie pop composed and produced by herself, Ulven has in a short time gone from being a so-called Soundcloud artist to becoming an international favorite with a large, dedicated fan base and sold-out concerts across Europe and the USA. Ulven is the rightful winner of Breakthrough of the Year 2020!
Author: Peder Barratt-Due
Music publisher: Norwegian Music Publishers
The jury's reasoning: The winner of the Breakthrough of the Year category is distinguished by a rich year and a work that combines a traditional approach to structure and expression with a modern tonal language. The composition is idiomatic for the instrument, and uses a range of effects without losing sight of the musical core of the work. Barratt-Due is a worthy winner of the Breakthrough of the Year.
Work: Sweet But Psycho – Ava Max
Author: Andreas Haukeland (Tix), William EB Lobban, Madison E. Love, Henry R. Walter, Amanda Koci.
Music publisher: Artist Publishing Group, Prescription Songs, Cirkut Breaker, Warner Geo Met Ric Music, Artist 101 Publishing, Artist Publishing Group West, Songs By Cook Classic, Livemadlove, Max Cut Publishing.
Work: Power for SOS Children's Villages – commercial
Author: Ugbad Mustafa and Margrete Hjelle
Music publisher: Ohlogy Publishing
Production company: Tangrystan
Director: Ida Thurmann-Moe and Andreas Grödtlien
The jury's reasoning: A unanimous jury has chosen a contribution that gives a decisive touch to the film's style and originality within the genre. A song with punch and a strong drive, with a young, flow-sure vocal with a clear presence, mirrors and amplifies the pulse of the video. This in a good interaction with clips, and an image language that is clearly inspired by the contrasting opposite of what it advertises: Fashion-inspired aesthetics with a nod to the music video format, and sports brand advertisements. This creates a result that both resonates and speaks to the heart, brain and stomach.
The sound mix is balanced and nuanced. The music does not disrupt the monologues, or the visual rhythm. Instead of turning up the sentimentality valve, the music track itself helps create a tonality that both contrasts and contributes to the film's play on sympathy with the main message and main characters, without becoming self-pitying. The film reflects a self-awareness about the product being sold: the future and destiny of children, without having the obvious agenda of children as innocent victims. Rather, the idea of independent individuals with will, optimism and dreams is sold here – no matter where they are in the world.
Name: Synne Skouen
The jury's reasoning: This year's award goes to Synne Skouen, who for many decades has worked for the spread and conditions for Norwegian music life. In various roles and in many different ways, Skouen has distinguished herself as a leader, music bureaucrat, elected official in associations, in TONO and in other organizations. Also as a writer, journalist and commentator, and last but not least as a composer, with a significant production in many formats.
As a music reviewer for a number of the country's newspapers, she has contributed to spreading knowledge and enthusiasm for a wide range of musical expressions. When Synne Skouen saw the need for a Norwegian magazine about and for music, she started Ballade, where she has been editor and later also chairman. As music director and cultural director at NRK, she fought for Norwegian music to have a central role in NRK's profile. And with her sharp pen, she has been a clear voice, both artistically and in music politics.
In addition to various board and job positions, she has worked as a composer in a wide range of formats and genres, from cabaret, to opera, to orchestral music, chamber music and music for television and film, to the delight of critics and audiences. Most recently with her opera "Ballerina", which was nominated for the Nordic Council Music Prize.
Synne Skouen has fought for the conditions of artists and music, and for freedom of expression. As a commentator, in Aftenposten for several years, and not least in social media in recent years, she has managed to create attention around issues in the music and cultural field that have often been neglected by other media channels. She has done a lot for the Norwegian music scene, and it is a pleasure to award Synne Skouen the Music Publishers Award Honorary Prize!
