EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD twin sisters have been placed second in an international songwriting competition.
Hannah and Grace Stobart, of Ponteland, known collectively as Twayn, competed against 10 other finalists at the Road to Nashville - Liverpool International Song Contest 2022 in Tennessee.
The event, which over 20,000 people entered, was hosted at Nashville's Exit/In where the likes of Etta James, Johnny Cash and Billy Joel have performed.
The sisters formed the band in 2021; Hannah taught herself music production during lockdown while Grace led on vocals.
Twayn's song sweet 16 is about the challenges faced by young people and the struggles of growing up.
The pair, who are studying for their A-Levels, said: "We entered not really thinking much of it, forgot about it, then got an email to say we were in the top 50.
"A few weeks later, our mum called us in the middle of the school day and said we're going to Nashville in one week.
"It was amazing, the majority have been in the music industry for a while so they all had good advice for us. They were all really friendly.
"There was also such a variety of musicians in the top 10, there were people from all across the world.
"It has been amazing and we couldn’t be more grateful for this opportunity. We are still pinching ourselves to be honest."
The competition, in partnership with TUFF, allows the musicians to benefit from mental health support in the form of life coaches and psychologists for free.
The girls, who plan to take a year out to pursue music after their studies, also came in the top 10 of the Song Academy SAYS22 young song writer's competition in London with Sweet 16, which they wrote aged 16.
Twayn is now looking for more local opportunities to share its work, which they say takes inspiration from their own experiences, other people and celebrated performers, and funding.
Sweet 16 is due to be released on January 20 and follows debut single What Dreams are Made of. Twayn is also recording an EP.
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