_{By Joe Metro}

The man who has fully leaned into what we affectionately call “we have John Mayer at home” has snatched victory from the clutches of those other pesky songwriters trying to win the John Lennon Songwriting Contest. That’s right, Utah’s own Sky Olson received international acclaim as the grand prize winner in the pop genre for his song “Sand Castles.”

Sky has been around the scene for the past four years. He mainly operates in Logan, Utah, but he occasionally graces Utah County and Salt Lake County with his bluesy pop tunes.

“I feel so incredibly honored,” Sky let me know. “The JLSC has been encouraging me since day one. The first song I ever wrote, ‘Dear Katie,’ won their weekly contest way back in 2021.”

That track, “Dear Katie,” is absolutely worth your time as well. Especially in the context of that being the first song he ever wrote and “Sand Castles” being one of his newest songs.

Hearing the difference of four years in two songs that have won awards within the JLSC is fascinating. While “Dear Katie” is a fun track, it’s easy to see why “Sand Castles” won the grand prize. “Winning that weekly contest for ‘Dear Katie’ was that initial nudge that encouraged me to pursue music,” Sky said. “And it feels like such a full circle moment to have now won the Grand Prize.”

First starting in 1997, the John Lennon Songwriting Contest seeks “to give songwriters an opportunity to express themselves, gain recognition, and get their music heard.” This is made possible by Yoko Ono Lennon. Now, I know the easy joke here is: “Wow! Finally she did some good!”

I’d like to say I am above such petty jokes, but dear reader: I’m not. Wow! Finally she did some good!

Sky expressed a reoccurring theme from his music that is encapsulated in “Sand Castles.” He is fascinated with the transient permanence of relationships and life in general. “Why do we build sand castles when we know they’ll be washed away? Because there’s beauty in impermanence,” he said. “People fade, life goes on, and friends go their separate ways.” Nowhere is this sentiment felt greater than in college and living life in college towns – as most of us are in Utah. 

This reminds me of a lecture from my AP Latin class taught by Mr. Grant: “Tempora mutantur, nos et mutamur in illis.” Translated, it means: “The times are changed, and we are changed with them.”

Regardless of how desperately we hold to relationships or aspects of life, by their very nature, those will change and we will be forever changed by living through this. Despite it all, we still form new bonds, love new people, and have new experiences that may be as fleeting as false Spring in Utah.

Follow Sky Olson on Instagram and keep an eye out for upcoming shows and upcoming releases. Follow along to see if he takes home the ultimate prize of Song of the Year for the JLSC. You can stream the award-winning “Sand Castles” below!