BIGSOUND ANNOUNCES
SIX AUSSIE ARTISTS TO
SHARE IN $90,000
LEVI’S® MUSIC PRIZE
One of Australasia’s biggest annual music prizes, the Levi’s® Music Prize in partnership with BIGSOUND, today awarded a total of $90,000 to six of Australia’s most exciting emerging musicians – ASHWARYA, Beddy Rays, Birdz, Jerome Farah, JK-47, and Sycco.
Joining the star-studded ranks of previous winners like G Flip, The Teskey Brothers, and Ecca Vandal, the $15,000 cash prize and additional support package from The Indigo Project and Bolster comes at a time when artists need it most.
“Winning the Levi’s Music Prize has always been a dream of mine,” said Brisbane pop artist, Sycco, whose song Dribble debuted at #29 in triple j’s Hottest 100 and took out Song of the Year in the 2021 Queensland Music Awards.
“I remember seeing G Flip and Hatchie win over the last few years and manifesting in those moments! Hopefully we can tour overseas next year so the money will definitely assist with getting over there! This is so awesome, I cannot believe it!”
Selected from the BIGSOUND50, who were featured as the future of Australian music in BIGSOUND’s 2020 online pivot, Levi’s® Music Prize judge, Casey O’Shaughnessy said the quality of the artists and their achievements thus far is truly impressive.
“The past 18 months have been a particularly trying time for new artists to break through given the uncertain nature of touring throughout the pandemic. I’m a genuine fan of each of the winners and I look forward to watching them flourish over the years,” said O’Shaughnessy, who is the senior booking agent at Select Music, Australia’s largest independent agency.
Giving almost half a million dollars to artists and bands since partnering with BIGSOUND in 2017, Levi’s® Head of Marketing for Australia & New Zealand, Trent Bos, is proud and grateful to continue Levi’s® support of Australasian artists through the Levi’s® Music Prize.
“We believe that music is a force for good. But belief without real backing isn’t enough to help aspiring musicians fulfil their ambitions, and our dream and desire is that this contribution can help these incredibly talented artists do just that.”
Delivering the good news in the wake of last week’s devastating cancellation of September’s BIGSOUND conference and festival, QMusic CEO, Kris Stewart said how critical the ongoing support of initiatives like the Levis® Music Prize is to the survival of the music industry.
“Our musicians and the music industry at large continue to be one of the hardest hit sectors, having to prove their resilience time and time again in the face of cancellations and tougher restrictions than other industries.
“The Prize will go a long way to supporting these talented BIGSOUND artists to not only survive but thrive through COVID and beyond.”
Each winner receives $15,000 cash to boost their music career, an online mental health workshop provided by The Indigo Project, plus a custom BLOCKS by Bolster digital marketing workshop, and an outfit from Levi’s®.
The Levi’s® Music Prize in partnership with BIGSOUND is administered by QMusic and presented by Levi’s® Australia and New Zealand, with support from Bolster and The Indigo Project.
One of Australasia’s largest annual music prizes, the Levi’s® Music Prize in partnership with BIGSOUND supports emerging Australian and New Zealand acts to make the most of new opportunities that will propel them to the next stage of their careers. The Levi’s® Music Prize in partnership with BIGSOUND has given almost $500,000 to artists and bands since its inception in 2017, including G-Flip, The Teskey Brothers, Alex Lahey, Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, and Ecca Vandal. In 2021, $90,000 in cash is up for grabs with the Levi’s® Music Prize in partnership with BIGSOUND awarding $15,000 to six artists. Winners also receive a mental health workshop with The Indigo Project, a digital marketing workshop with Bolster as well as Levi’s® clothing.
Produced by QMusic, BIGSOUND is the southern hemisphere’s largest new music export showcase and conference. Now in its 20th year, BIGSOUND is where the national and international music industry come together to discover talent, share ideas, conversations, networks and facilitate critical dialogue about the future of the music industry. Held every September, BIGSOUND showcases more than 100 acts across live music venues in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley, attracting more than 1700 national and international delegates and visitors.
QMusic is Queensland’s music industry development association. The work of QMusic is critical to the success of Queensland’s contemporary music economy. It is the only significant and established not-for-profit organisation in Queensland dedicated to delivering sector development and major music events including the Queensland Music Awards and BIGSOUND to stimulate and grow the state’s music sector.
About Bolster
Bolster are Australian entertainment and culture marketing specialists building world-class campaigns and content for brands to connect with and grow their audiences. To help the winning artists with developing their online skills as COVID-related restrictions continue, they will receive a customised BLOCKS by Bolstr. workshop from Australia’s leading digital agency, Bolster. Blocks is a concise, yet comprehensive digital marketing workshop driven by real industry knowledge to level-up artists’ social media and digital marketing knowledge whilst developing new skills in a fun and interactive online environment.
About The Indigo Project
The Indigo Project is a progressive psychology practice that runs courses, workshops and creates immersive experiences to guide clients on a transformational journey to get their shit together. The online course as part of the prize focuses on self-development, insight, and personal growth. The winners will have the opportunity to work through over 250 hours of video content, 50 activities, and guided meditations to help manage mind, emotion, and relationships in times of uncertainty, challenge, and change.
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