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New Voices

The Talking Cat department for new artists and songwriters. We listen, we choose, we release.

Caligola, the black cat at the microphone from the Talking Cat logo, on a red sign

Talking since 1977

It all started in 1977 in a basement recording studio. Since then Talking Cat has always done the same thing: find new voices and take them out into the world, from Milan post-punk to Italo disco, from dance to hip hop and songwriting.

New Voices is the department we dedicate to people who are just starting out: singers, bands, producers and songwriters who have a song and are looking for someone who will really listen to it.

Here we introduce the artists we discover, release their first records and run the Premio Caligola, our online contest for new artists.

Already have a track you want us to hear, outside the contest? You can always send us your music.

New Voices · first edition 2027

Premio Caligola

A music contest that runs entirely online. You send one song, a jury of music professionals listens to it and writes back to you.

  • What it is

    An artistic contest to discover new songs and reward merit. It is named after Caligola, the cat at the microphone in our logo. The winner and finalists are chosen only by the jury, on the quality of the song: no draws.

  • Who can enter

    Solo artists, bands and songwriters of any genre. For this first edition: adults (18+) resident in Italy. One song per entry, unreleased or already released but free of exclusive contracts.

  • Entry fee

    €25

    VAT included, per song, with an invoice. No other costs, no paid votes. You have 14 days from payment to change your mind with a full refund.

  • What you get

    For everyone: every song listened to in full, a written evaluation sheet from the jury with scores and advice, and a digital certificate of participation.

How to enter

It takes about five minutes, even from your phone.

  1. 01

    Read the rules. They will be published here before entries open. The Italian version is the official one.

  2. 02

    Fill in the online form with your details, a link to listen to your song (private SoundCloud, unlisted YouTube, Google Drive or Dropbox) and, if you like, a video.

  3. 03

    Pay the entry fee by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay on Stripe’s secure checkout, to Talking Cat.

  4. 04

    Get your confirmation with your entry number, followed by the invoice by email.

  5. 05

    The jury listens and writes to you with the result and your evaluation sheet.

Jury and criteria

A jury of music professionals decides, most of them from outside Talking Cat. Their names will be published before entries open.

Every juror commits to confidentiality and does not judge people they know. The free public vote only awards the Audience Mention and does not decide the winner.

  • Originality and personalityIdea, identity, recognisability
    25
  • SongwritingMelody, harmony, structure
    20
  • LyricsFor instrumentals, these points go to songwriting and arrangement
    20
  • PerformanceVoice or instrument, intent, presence
    20
  • Arrangement and productionCare counts, not budget: a home recording is absolutely fine
    15

Prizes

The prize is your music being released and heard.

  • The winner

    The title of Premio Caligola Winner, a dedicated page in New Voices and an offer to release the song as a single with Talking Cat: mastering, digital distribution and promotion with a dedicated social ads budget.

  • The 10 finalists

    The title of finalist, features on the Talking Cat and The City Review channels, the finalists’ kit and an offer to be included in the Premio Caligola – New Voices compilation.

  • Every entrant

    A guaranteed full listen, a written evaluation sheet and a certificate of participation.

  • Your rights

    Your song stays yours. We only use it for the jury and to talk about the contest. The single and the compilation only happen under a separate contract, which you are free not to sign without losing your title.

Calendar

Dates for the first edition are coming soon: we will publish them here together with the rules.

  1. 2027

    Entries · dates coming soon

  2. 2027

    Jury listening · starts only after every entrant’s 14-day withdrawal period has ended

  3. 2027

    The 10 finalists announced and evaluation sheets sent · dates coming soon

  4. 2027

    Free public vote on the finalists · dates coming soon

  5. 2027

    Online announcement of the winner, live · dates coming soon

Entries opening soon

Entries are not open yet. Follow Talking Cat on Instagram to know when they start.

Entries opening soon Rules · coming soon Instagram @talkingcatlabel

Organised by Talking Cat di Galli Roberto e C. S.a.s., Milan, Italy. The full rules will be published on this page before entries open.

FAQ

Who can enter?

Solo artists, bands and songwriters of any genre. For the first edition, entrants must be 18 or over and resident in Italy; in bands, every member must be 18 or over.

How much does it cost and what is included?

€25 VAT included per song, with an invoice. It includes a guaranteed listen by the jury, a written evaluation sheet and a certificate of participation. There are no other costs and no paid votes.

Who chooses the winner?

A jury of music professionals, most of them from outside Talking Cat, using the criteria and scores set out in the rules. There are no draws. The public vote is free and only awards the Audience Mention.

Does my song stay mine?

Yes, you keep all the rights. Talking Cat only uses it so the jury can listen to it and to promote the contest on its website and social channels. Any release only happens under a separate contract, which you are free not to sign.

Can I enter a song that is already released?

Yes, if it is not tied to exclusive contracts with labels or publishers, or if you have their written permission.

Can I use artificial intelligence?

Yes, as a support tool (for example for sounds, mixing or mastering), as long as you declare it in the form. Songs generated entirely by artificial intelligence are not accepted.

How do I send my song?

With a link that can be played without signing in: private SoundCloud, unlisted YouTube, Google Drive or Dropbox. A video is optional.

Can I change my mind after paying?

Yes. You have 14 days from payment to withdraw and get a full refund. The jury only starts listening after every withdrawal period has ended.

Can I enter more than one song?

Yes, with a separate entry and fee for each song.

When will the dates and jury be announced?

We will publish them on this page and on our social channels together with the rules, before entries open.