Two Year 12 students have been selected to record their original songs at top-class studios through the Lion Foundation's songwriting competition Play It Strange.

Ruby Messent's entry, an alternative/soul piece 'Shifting Places', was selected as one of the top 50 songs entered in the competition. In the second week of the holidays Ruby recorded this song at the world-renowned Roundhead Studios, where the likes of Lorde, Benee, Dua Lipa, Wilco, Kanye West have also recorded.

Caitlin Gabb also made it through the competition's 'Bonus 25' round, where 25 more singles from the competition were selected. Caitlin's song is called 'Mine', and was recorded at Bigpop Studios in Auckland.

We are looking forward to sharing these two songs with you once the Play It Strange album is released later in the year.