Newcomer Maisy Kay Wins 2015 ASCAP Foundation Award for Songwriting

Maisy Kay is the 2015 recipient of The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Desmond Child Anthem Award. Kay accepted the prestigious songwriting award during a ceremony last night at New York City's Lincoln Center, where she also performed the new song "Don't Ask Me to Love You."

Kay launched onto the music scene with three tracks in 2015. Her piercing debut single "Blood Filled Tears" (about a close friend's suicide) garnered immediate praise from outlets such as Vanity Fair and Black Book. The momentum continued to build with the release of second single "Enough" a poetic self-acceptance anthem, which premiered via Yahoo Music. Kay established herself as an avant-garde songstress with her third single "Sleep". With a flair for the dramatic (think Freddie Mercury does Phantom of the Opera) and lyrics in both Latin and English, "Sleep" captures the beautiful chaos of insomnia.

Maisy Kay is a 16-year-old self-taught pianist whose voice effuses theatricality at some moments and tenderness during others. The UK-born/LA-based songwriter is an iron-lunged powerhouse who crafts complex arrangements that showcase her shimmering, mezzo-soprano vocal range and intimate, confessional lyrics. She is currently in the studio working on new music for 2016. Watch this space!

The ASCAP Foundation Desmond Child Anthem Award was established by Grammy awarding-winning ASCAP songwriter/producer Desmond Child who was inducted into The Songwriter's Hall of Fame in 2008 and is known for his collabarations with many big-name pop artists such as KISS, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Cher, Michael Bolton and Ricky Martin during his 30-year tenure at ASCAP. The award was established in 2009 as part of his ManUp4Kids program which provides low-income families the opportunity to attend music, theatre, and cultural events within their community that would otherwise be unattainable, as well as sponsoring instrument rentals, lessons and scholarships to music summer camps. ManUp4Kids helps to give struggling parents the possibility of sharing life changing musical moments and unforgettable memories with their children. The recipient is selected by music industry professionals.

Maisy Kay (Photo Credit: Shervin Lainez)

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