A Figtree bartender has been announced as a finalist in three categories of the International Songwriting Contest (ISC) for his relaxed guitar-laden tune Light Up.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Braydon Denmeade, 21, goes by the stage name Fletcher Gull and has been trying to cement his path as a musician since his primary school years. He’s already toured Mexico with his high school rock band Glab before going solo and basing himself in Canada.
Now he has returned to the Illawarra, working at the Figtree Hotel in between creating music and playing gigs.
“I just decided when I was really young there was nothing else I want to do more,” he said of his passion for music.
“I guess what most people who are super passionate about anything they like doing can understand is you just do it, you don’t ask questions.”
I just decided when I was really young there was nothing else I want to do more.
- Fletcher Gull
Denmeade said first began performing with his guitar when he was around the age of eight in the bistro of his dad’s hotel. Not long after he began writing his own songs, something he has never ceased doing.
“It was [dad’s influence] I remember he used to have a few instruments lying around – he used to play in a few bands,” he said.
The ISC is open to established and amateur songwriters as an avenue to get their works heard in a professional, international arena.
The panel of judges includes industry heavyweights including record label executives and seasoned musicians such as Tom Waits, Ziggy Marley, Lorde and Keane.
Other Australian musicians also nominated include Washington and Birds of Toyko. While previous winners who have gone on to huge success include Kasey Chambers, Vance Joy, Gotye, Bastille, Kehlani, Kimbra, Passenger, Kate Miller-Heidke, Gin Wigmore, and for King & Country.