Lorde, Perry Farrell, Tommy Chong and Tom Waits, as well as industry heavies Seymour Stein, John Esposito and Afo Verde, are among the panelists for this year's International Songwriting Competition. The judging panel, which includes top executives from Glassnote, Razor & Tie and Atlantic, will be tasked with analyzing song entries from more than 130 countries.

The competition, established in 2002, is open to both professional and amateurs in 23 genre categories. ISC gives away more than $150,000 split among 71 winners, with the grand prize comprised of $25,000 in cash and prizes. Past winners include Vance Joy, Gotye, Kimbra, Bastille, Andrew Bird, The Band Perry and Lindsey Stirling, among others.

"One of the biggest challenges facing artists is getting their music heard by the decision-makers in the music industry," said Candace Avery, the competition's founder and director. "Typically music executives receive so much new music each week that it is impossible for them to listen to even a fraction, or any, of what they get. Entering ISC offers an unique opportunity for artists to actually get their music heard by high-level industry executives, as well as some of their favorite recording artists."