The Carlton Dry Independent Music Awards

MEG MAC

Nominee for Breakthrough Independent Artist Of The Year,performing at the Independent Music Awards 2014

How would you describe the sound of yourdebut EP to new listeners?

I know that it is pop and that it is soul. But there are bits of inspiration from all over my life! I am going to go with a ‘dark pop’ sound for the new listeners.

Did you ever think you would have come this far so early on in your music career?

I always had hoped that I would be doing exactly what I am doing. From the day I uploaded my first song on triple j Unearthed, I hoped. It all started from there and things started happening in real life rather than in my head! Suddenly I believed in what I was doing and I worked up enough courage to email my song ‘Every Lie’ to all the presenters at triple j myself – and they didn’t even think I was crazy. Since then I have not stopped singing.

How does it feel to have the opportunity to perform at the awards in front of so many talented independent Australian artists?

It feels a little intimidating but feels good; I am always excited to sing for people. I am looking forward to meeting other independent artists who are just like me in this music world.

What do you think the highlight of the AIR Awards 2014 will be?

I think singing at the awards will be the highlight for me – the singing is always my favourite part of any event.

Ben Kirkham from SAFIA

Nominees for the Carlton Dry Global Music Grant

How pumped are you guys to be performing at the Independent Music Awards, as well as being in the running for the Carlton Dry Music Grant?

Very! I never thought we’d be playing at an awards night, especially doing what we do, so it’s sure to be a lot of fun. Not only that, to be nominated for the grant is crazy – only last year we were doing our first interstate shows and now we’re nominated alongside so many incredible artists to win $50,000 for building our name overseas. It’s all very surreal; I don’t think we’ve really taken it in yet.

The winners of the grant last year, King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard, did quite a bit with the prize. What’s the first thing you’d do with the $50,000 cash prize?

I think we will definitely look at releasing our singles properly in the UK first thing. It will be good to get the story happening for us on radio and UK media before we even book our flights over.

Using three words, how would you best describe your sound to new listeners?

Emotive, electric, extravagant.

Any hot tips for up-and-coming independent Australian artists like yourselves?

Our main tip for up-and-coming independent artists is to be confident in your own music and trust in what you do. The more and more you become a part of the music industry, you find that everyone has an opinion of what you should do and how you should be. I think the most important thing is to have confidence in yourself, because in the end, it’s the music that makes an artist successful, not the record label.

L-FRESH THE LION

Nominee for Best Independent Hip Hop Album

Using three words, how would you best describe the sound of your albumOneto listeners?

Soulful. Uplifting. Moving.

On top of your busy music career, you’re also an ambassador for the charity All Together Now. Tell us about your work with the organisation.

All Together Now is Australia’s only not-for-profit organisation that exists solely to positively tackle racism. As an ambassador, I am aligned with the organisation’s goals in trying to build towards a more respectful, embracing and peaceful Australia.

What has been your biggest achievement in your career, both musically and with your work in the community?

My biggest music achievement so far has to be the release of my debut albumOne. It’s been such a long and rewarding process. During its creation I built so many amazing friendships and went on such a rollercoaster ride of life experiences. I’ll never forget it.

With my work in the community, there are so many stories of positivity. It’s such a blessing to be in a position where I can have a meaningful impact on the lives of others. My biggest personal achievement has to be the establishment of ‘giving back’ as a life principle. I’ve not only experienced the rewards of doing so, but have felt its necessity, and that’s such a beautiful feeling.

While writing your debut album, did you ever think it could end up being nominated for the Best Independent Hip Hop Album of the year by AIR?

[Laughs] No. Not at all. Getting nominated for awards and getting played on radio was not on our minds when we created this album. Michael McGlynn (my producer) and I just wanted to make powerful and meaningful music. How people receive it is out of our control. What we can control, though, is making music that inspires people to feel.

Liam McGorry from SASKWATCH

Nominees for the Carlton Dry Global Music Grant

The 2013 winners of the Carlton Dry Global Music Grant, King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard, bailed on Australia and took off overseas for a while with their winnings. What is the first thing Saskwatch would do if you won the $50,000 award?

We’d be doing the same, I guess. We’re already heading over to the States for our first time straight after the awards so obviously the grant would be making a huge difference. We’ve got a few shows at CMJ and a handful of other US shows too. It was great to see Gizz really make the most of the grant – inspiring.

If there were one reason why you guys deserve to win the grant, what would it be?

I wouldn’t say we deserve to win anything to be honest, there are a lot of deserving bands out there – but touring in Australia and overseas as a nine-piece band with a sound engineer is definitely an expensive exercise at the best of times. It would certainly make a huge difference to us.

How did you manage your time so well between constant touring, as well as the recording of your new LP, Nose Dive?

It’s just worked out really well, I guess; we’ve been really lucky. We were touring our single ‘Hands’ and in between shows in QLD we were driving out to Fernvale to record with Magoo. We love to keep busy and work hard.

For new listeners, describe the sound of your newest album, Nose Dive, in a few short words.

Well I guess it’s ‘soul-influenced’ still. I think we just tried to write some better songs and made a conscious effort to try and make more of an ‘album’ as opposed to a group of songs.

Has a lot changed musically and professionally between the recording of your debut album in 2012, Leave It All Behind, and the release of Nose Dive?

Totally. I think we’ve all really galvanised even more as friends and as a band. We’ve kind of relaxed a little bit, I think, and are comfortable being who we are, since playing at uni et cetera. We’re just very happy with what we’re doing and want to push ourselves – and enjoy what we’re doing as well.