Winner Announced in Our 15-18 Year Old Age Category For Best Original Song

We are so excited to announce our second winner in the 15-18 year old age category for best original song, Hadley Julca. Check out her interview below and then grab some tickets to see her live at the Raise Her Voice Benefit Concert September 30th at the Lobero Theatre. We want to pack this theatre full and show all these amazing young women how much they are respected and supported by our community.

1. You're 15 years old, how long have you been writing music and how did you get started?   I started playing guitar about two and a half(ish) years ago and I started playing around with melodies on the guitar once I'd figured out chords. I didn't actually start writing lyrics until I showed my guitar teacher one of the tunes I had come up with and he asked me if I could come up with some lyrics. That was early 2017.

2. What is your original song about? What inspired you to write it?   I'm going to go with what I said in my bio because I did pretty good job of explaining it there. “No Matter What They Say” is a protest to what's happening in our country. It's a song about uniting to stand up for what's right, to never back down in the face of tryranny and believing that by standing together love will overcome hate and anger. I was inspired by the outcome of our last election..... I was feeling angry and upset about what had happened and I wanted my voice to be heard.

3. Why do you think it's important for girls to know they are powerful?   I actually have a really long complicated answer for this but I'll give my short one. I think it's very important that girls know that they are powerful. We live in a society where we raise our girls to be quiet and obedient. A lot of the time we aren't really given a voice. I think that it's really important for our girls to know that they do have voice and that they shouldn't be afraid to use it.

4. If you had to explain the way you feel when you are playing music, what would that look like?   That's a good question.... I think it depends on what song I'm playing.  I like imagining the idea of the color of my aura and feelings swirling around me as I play, at least that's what I picture happening whenever I really get into whatever I'm playing. I actually have a pretty neat picture that I drew of it happening.......

5. What do you want to be when you grow up?   I've actually wanted to be an actress since I was six years old, so I still believe that's my main calling. However, music is definitely something I want to continue exploring and something I will always keep as a part of my life.

I'd like to thank my mama for all her love and support, for always being there when I need her, for driving me all over Southern California and for everything else she's done for me. My papa and my little sister, for their support and Mila and Zela for helping me put this video together. My friends from SB and from San Francisco for voting for me, a BIG shoutout to all my Shakespeare friends for their constant voting as well as a shoutout to my other consant voters, especially to Rebekah, Lindalee and the rest if their family. Thank you all sooo much for your support, I love you guys. I'd also like to thank everyone else who voted for me and lastly, I'd like to thank my guitar teacher Mic Singh, thank so much for teaching me to play the guitar and for all your encouragement. You've truly been one of the best teachers I've ever had. I couldn't have done any of this without you.

First Girls Rock Song Writing Contest Winner Announced

We are so excited to announce our first winner in the 7-10 year old age category for best original song, Nina Abraham. Check out her interview below and then grab some tickets to see her live at the Raise Her Voice Benefit Concert September 30th at the Lobero Theatre. We want to pack this theatre full and show all these amazing young women how much they are respected and supported by our community.

You're 9 years old, how long have you been writing music and how did you get started ? I have been singing since I was a baby and have always been inspired by music. My sisters were playing instruments and my mom who loves folk music shared videos of young musicians, so I wanted to play too. I have been playing guitar for two years and writing songs for a year. My first concert was Gillan Welch and Dave Rawlings at the Lobero!

What is your original song about ? What inspired you to write it? One thing I was thinking about when writing "Not gonna back down" is about being strong when people say that girls are weaker and boys are stronger. The song is about finding strength, even in times of doubt.

Why do you think it's important for girls to know they are powerful?  It feels good to know that you are powerful. Being powerful gives confidence. And, Because some boys think that girls are not strong and I want to show that we are.

If you had to explain the way you feel when you are playing music, what would that look like? It makes me feel good to share my music. Playing music makes me feel better when I am sad, and helps me feel powerful.

What do you want to be when you grow up?I want to work with animals and play guitar. I started busking on State Street to help pay for horse riding lessons, and also to be able to donate to ASAP, the local cat shelter.

Your Gonna Miss Her When She's Famous

I first had the pleasure of meeting Sophie Rose nearly 7 years ago at the Durango Songwriters Expo , then held in the Santa Ynez Valley. She was 11. I remember watching her perform and knowing that I was watching the making of an incredible artist.

She's now 18 and killing it on the music scene in every way possible. Signed to a publishing deal with Prescription Songs since she was 14, she's had amazing success as both a songwriter and artist. With songs such as Limitless garnering more than five million streams on Spotify and her break out single Two Young Lovers ending up on Taylor Swifts playlist of favorite songs, she's definitely one musician you'll want to keep track of. We're so grateful to have her involved with Girls Rock. She's been a part of this program since day one and we hope you'll come out and get to know her at our Raise Her Voice Fundraiser September 30th at the Lobero Theatre. 

Check out our interview below and her newest song " Famous" 

1. You have written upwards of 500 songs. That's really impressive. Where do you find your inspiration ? 

Thank you! I find inspiration everywhere, but I try to write my songs from my own personal experiences. I find that those songs are more honest and relatable because they come from a real place.

2. You write for other artists, but you are also an artist yourself. How do you decide which of your songs to hold on to and which ones to let go to other musicians? How would you describe your " sound " as an artist.

It's strange, but I feel connected to some songs more than others even though I write or co-write all of them. I know which ones to hold onto for my own artist project because of this feeling I get when I listen to them. I think my sound is definitely pop, but my lyrics tend to be more emotional or meaningful than other pop songs. I want my melodies to be catchy and fun, but I also want to say something with my music.

3. What have been your top 3 career highlights of being a musician thus far? 

It’s really hard to choose because there are so many little steps along the way, not just big ones. I would have to say my top 3 highlights have been signing my publishing deal, releasing my first single, and being featured on Taylor Swift’s Favorite Songs playlist.

4. When you're not writing music whats your favorite things to do? 

I like to cook, hike, and watch Netflix!

5. Favorite place to chill? 

Home.

6. Song that is currently on repeat on your preferred listening device 

“Rich” by Maren Morris.

7. If you could have the chance to collaborate with anyone in the world who would that be and why? 

Taylor Swift, because she was my first inspiration as a songwriter and I think she is a legendary artist and businesswoman.

8. What is the writing process like for you? Take us from the beginning of a song to the end ? 

My process is different every time, especially when co-writers and producers are involved. If I write a song alone, I usually think of the concept first, then melody and lyrics, then I put it to music and record it. When I write alone, it’s usually because I have something on my mind that I need to write about, so the lyrics flow pretty naturally.

9. At Girls Rock, for the most part the girls are writing collaboratively as a group, which is something you have a lot of experience in. What would be your advice to make sure everyone feels equally heard and is equally participating in the writing process? Any tips?

I think it's important to speak up when you have ideas, and make sure you are attentive and open when others do the same. When I was starting out, I was afraid to share my ideas because I thought people wouldn’t take me seriously - and sometimes they didn’t. It’s important to make sure everyone feels comfortable and valued in a writing session. Also, it’s okay if you don’t contribute a lot sometimes. People shouldn’t judge you based on how much you brought to one song in one session, it’s all about constantly learning and growing.

10. Your also a producer and engineer? What software do you use and what is your set up like? 

I use Logic to build tracks and Pro Tools to record and edit vocals. Every producer I know has a different method, but this is how I learned and what I’m comfortable with. 

11. You we're signed to a publishing deal when you were 14 years old? How did that affect how you grew up? School? Friendships?  

By the time I signed my publishing deal, I had already been homeschooled for a few years and had recently graduated high school through the CHSPE, so it didn’t affect me from a schooling perspective. I didn’t have many friends growing up because I was always so focused on music, but signing my publishing deal introduced me to so many new people and I made new friends that I’m still close with today.

12. I once heard Meghan Trainor say ( before she got famous) that the best piece of advice someone gave her was to write 100 songs in a year. At first she thought it was impossible, but she ended up doing it and honing her craft and All About That Bass came out of those songs. For girls who want to do music as a career, what is the best advice you've ever gotten that you could share with them ?

That’s an interesting piece of advice. I don’t know what the best advice I’ve ever received is, but I think the main thing is to just keep going. I was talking to someone recently about how difficult this business is (lol sorry), and he said that a lot about being successful comes down to if you can last long enough. The longer you work at something the better you will become, and the more likely good things will happen, so don’t give up!

Is there anything you'd like to mention that I didn't ask you about ? 

Nope! Just follow me on everything @sophierosemusic :)

Check Out Sophies Latest Song Famous

Check Out Sophie Rose's Latest Single

Check out Sophie Rose's newest single "Lift You Up" with Omar Linx.  Catch Sophie Rose at the Lobero Theatre Sunday, September 30th for the Girls Rock Annual Fundraiser , Raise Her Voice. The perfect mother and daughter event. Grab your tickets before they're gone!

We Want You To Join Us On Stage At The Lobero Theatre

Are you a girl between the ages of 6-18 years old? Then we want to invite you to perform on two of our songs on stage with hit music artist Sophie Rose and her live band. This is an amazing opportunity we are able to offer. We will have two rehearsals for this . You must attend a min. of one to participate in the event. 

Practices will be September 16th and 23rd from 10-12 at the Makenzie Adult Building , 3111 State Street ( enter park from Las Positas)

To Participate Please Fill Out This Form 

What's Happening? Raise Her Voice is a Girls Rock Santa Barbara fundraiser. It is an evening of live music by our songwriting contest winners and Los Angeles hit song writer Sophie Rose, silent auction, VIP meet and greet with the artist, live screen printing and more. The perfect mother / daughter date. 

When is this event? September 3oth. Auction opens at 6 pm. Show begins at 7:00 pm. 

Where? The Lobero Theatre, Santa Barbara, CA

Every general admission ticket comes with a compliemntary youth ticket for any girl under 18

All performers get in free

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Session One Magazine By Our Journalism Students

Stories From the Field

My daughter has been facing challenges that many young girls her age face growing up: social pressures, trying to figure out her own identity, stresses of a changing world around her as well as within.  Girls Rock SB is a place she can go to fully express herself, and let her light shine with no limitations or judgments.  She is appreciated and praised there for her individuality.  I'm so grateful to have Girls Rock SB as part of my "village", in raising my daughter as she transitions from being a child into a teenager, because she will have the support of the staff and other girls, and the self-confidence within herself to carry her.  Girls Rock SB is an amazing program that I hope many many young girls will have an opportunity to participate and thrive in!

Stories from the Field

My granddaughter has been attending Girls Rock Sleep away camp for the past 3 years. Now age 13, her love for music continues to blossom and grow. She made wonderful personal connections through the camp experience and has increased self-esteem. I would highly recommend this program to families with teenage girls who are curious and opened to self discovery, The camp is located in a beautiful rural setting, tucked away like a nest behind the Ojai mountains. The staff is talented, caring and able to be there for the campers in a supportive loving way. We look forward to this camp every summer with great enthusiasm.

Thank you!

Sue Lauwers, LMFT