17-year-old twins Hannah and Grace aka Twayn from Newcastle, have just been shortlisted in the Top 10 finalists of the Song Academy songwriting competition (13-18 years category).
With over 850 entries to the competition overall, the girls are understandably thrilled to have got through to this stage.
Their song, ‘Sweet 16’, is about the challenges faced by teens and the complex struggles of growing up, whether that be the coming and going of friendships, or peer pressures, self-doubt and loneliness.
Grace has been song writing since she could write but Covid Lockdown afforded the sisters the time to sit down together to start recording some of the tracks.
Hannah taught herself music production and tends to focus on harmonies and instrumentation, whilst Grace is usually the main vocalist.
Hannah says, “Our song, Sweet 16, is about the difficult teenage years so it’s inspired in part by things we’ve experienced, but just as much by situations faced by others.”
It’s a really challenging time growing up and it’s not uncommon for people our age to find themselves struggling at school and feeling somehow on the outside looking in.
Grace adds, “Sweet 16 talks about that pain and confusion, loneliness and self-doubt suffered by our age group. It’s a painful time for quite a lot of teens.”
There is often the sense that everyone else has it better and they seem to have it all; perfect friendships, relationships, a better social life, whilst it feels like your own life is a constant uphill battle on all fronts.
Hopes are pinned on things improving as you approach your milestone birthday, 16, but things don’t really change”.
Getting through to this stage affords the finalists the opportunity to perform their song live at The Tabernacle in Notting Hill, London at the end of June.
Their song can also go onto the Young Songwriter 2022 album and the Song Academy channel at Amazing Radio; all brilliant opportunities for new artists and songwriters.
The girls added, “We really can’t believe that we’ve got into the Top 10 in the competition. We are so happy to know our song has been listened to by such an amazing panel of judges, including the likes of Grace Davies and Dan Gillespie Sells (we love Everybody’s Talking About Jamie). Just knowing that is so exciting.”
