Following the success of the last program that wrapped up earlier this year, GRID Series (Grass Roots Indie Development) has returned to Geelong with an all-star team of mentors, producers, and filmmakers to support a new group of local artists.
The GRID Series empowers early career artists who live outside inner-city music hubs through one-on-one mentoring with an industry leader, collaboration with a producer to create a new track, recording sessions, live performance opportunities and the creation of a short film documentary.
The four artists participating in GRID Series Geelong are:
Madeliene Cope
Madeliene Cope is an indie/folk artist based in Leopold who is completely in control of her craft. With influences like Ry X, Ben Howard and Dustin Tebbutt, Mads' music takes listeners on a journey, telling stories from her day-to-day life including feelings of love and loss, confidence, and self-worth.
Tonite
Tonite is a conscious MC who leans into soul elements with melodic rhymes and deep hooks.
He believes Knowledge is power and his Maori/Croatian roots and energy runs deep within the music. From old school rhythms and a new era of intricate lyricism, Tonite explores the Timelessness Of Nature, Illustrated through Energy.
FARAH (Isabella Khalife)
Singer, songwriter and guitarist Isabella Khalife from Highton has a voice reminiscent of incense. A master melody shaper, FARAH tells emotion-filled stories inspired by the array of beautiful and heartbreaking experiences life gives us.
Emilia Fol
Spanish-Australian singer-songwriter Emilia Fol creates a unique fusion of Spanish folk and soul. Deeply inspired by the art, music and poetry of her culture, she preserves and radiates the timeless traditions down through generations.
Each artist is accompanied by a hype person for the program; a friend, family or community member, to work behind the scenes and support them as they develop and plan for the future.
This round's team of producers and mentors are award winning songwriter and producer Joel Ma (Mo'ju, TZU), critically acclaimed songwriter and producer Beatrice (Haiku Hands, Kardajala Kirridarra), Sweetie Zamora (Director of Labels and Project Management at Remote Control Records), Anika Luna (triple j Unearthed Community Producer), and director of Broken Leg PR Monique Matosic.
Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks
The GRID Series is about giving emerging artists the tools, opportunities and connections they need to thrive in the music industry.Supporting initiatives like this program and The Push All Ages Grants reinforces our commitment to supporting new talent and growing live music right across Victoria.
Member for Geelong Christine Couzens MP
The GRID Series is a fantastic opportunity for our local artists to showcase their talent, gain invaluable industry experience, and build thriving music careers right here in Geelong.
Greater Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj OAM
The program provided a fantastic opportunity for artists in Geelong to access the support they need to pursue their dreams.We're thrilled to partner with the Victorian Government and GRID Series again to support a new cohort of local talent.
Our region can't wait to see how these up and coming artists develop and grow creatively during this one-in-a-lifetime program.
GRID Series Project Manager N'fa F-Jones
GRID is a fantastic and unique program in the way it offers a platform for unseen and unheard artists to be not only seen and heard, but also elevated and connected with like-minded creatives, high-end mentors, producers, and filmmakers.Seeing how many people are so positively impacted by the program, it has been very moving to see the impassioned growth, development, and give back that all those involved experience on all levels.
It's what arts development is all about.
GRID Series Geelong is proudly supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria and the Community Support Fund, in partnership with City of Greater Geelong.
