In Their Own Words: Our Country Songwriters Reflect Ahead Of The APRA Awards

The APRA Music Awards honour the unsung heroes behind Australia’s biggest music moments, the songwriters. Each year, these awards celebrate the creators behind the scenes, the ones who craft the lyrics and melodies that define our playlists and dominate the airwaves. In the world of country music, storytelling is everything, and this year’s nominees are no exception. 

We asked some of 2025’s standout country nominees to share “What’s your favourite thing about songwriting in country music?”. Their responses speak to the power of honesty, evolution, and emotional connection that defines the genre. 

Melanie Dyer – Nominated for Good Things 

“I love that country music is always evolving. It's such a broad genre that one day you can be writing a honky tonk song and the next is pop or rock infused. Country music is about connection and it's special to be able to write lyrics that bring people together.” 

Michael De Lorenzis – Nominated for Good Things 

“The storytelling in country music is hands down the most rewarding part of writing in the genre. Sometimes you're telling your own story, or one that belongs to a co-writer. Other times, you're crafting characters from scratch to serve as a vehicle for the message you want to share. But no matter the approach, one thing remains constant in country songwriting: the lyric matters. There's no room for a "that'll do" line, you have to dig deep and get it right. That pressure can be challenging, but it's also what makes the process so creatively fulfilling.”

Zac & George – Nominated for Call it a Day and Some Things Never Change 
“There is a story in every song. Some songs have deeper meaning than others, but country music almost always has a story.” 

Kylie Sackley – Nominated for Take Forever (Hally’s Song) 

“Nothing else really matters if you don’t have the songs, so let that always be your main priority. Write the ok ones, the terrible ones. Write them all, because they’re all making space for the great songs coming.” 

 James Johnston – Nominated for Some Things Never Change 
“Songwriting has always been the way I can most honestly express myself. I often go back to songs that I’ve written years ago and think, I wish I had have just listened to myself. I feel my songs are a snapshot into where I am in life at that moment.” 

 Morgan Evans – Nominated for Mayday 

“The music world is wide open, there's no rules anymore, and there's a you-shaped slot just waiting for whatever it is that only you can say!” 

Casey Barnes – Nominated for Mayday 

“For me, it’s all about honesty and authenticity in songwriting - that’s what country music fans connect with the most. Throughout my career, songwriting has been an amazing outlet, helping me navigate both the toughest and but also the most incredible moments of my life. There’s no greater feeling than taking an idea, turning it into a song, recording it, and then standing on stage as an audience sings those words right back to you.”