Five local musicians have been selected from a competitive pool of 50 applicants to be mentored and supported in the GRID Series (Grass Roots Indie Development) development program.
This innovative initiative empowers emerging artists through one-on-one mentoring, collaboration with a producer to create a new track, recording sessions, live performance opportunities and the creation of an artist documentary.
The Geelong GRID Program is proudly supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria, in partnership with the City of Greater Geelong and the Victorian Music Development Office (VMDO).
A launch event last night announced the successful artists selected for the curated program which runs until March 2024:
- Ridzyray: Ridzyray is a First Nations hip hop artist living in the Windermere Ward;
- Baraka The Kid: Fiston Baraka is a Congolese artist who now hails from the Windermere Ward;
- Wild Gloriosa: Gloria is a South Indian neo-soul creative from the Kardinia Ward;
- Elena Nichols: Lenny is a young Samoan musician from the Bellarine Ward; and
- Daisy Kilbourne: Daisy is an impressive singer who calls the Kardinia Ward home.
This year's excellent team of producers and mentors include award winning songwriter and producer Joel Ma "Joelistics" (Haiku Hands, Moju), ARIA nominated engineer, songwriter and producer Becki Whitton, acclaimed producer Ariel Blum (NIASHA, St.Ives), music festival programmer Rich Moffat (Groovin' the Moo, Falls Festival, Splendour in the Grass), and director of Broken Leg PR Monique Matosic.
Artists such as Jacki Tut, Kill The Darling, Manorism, Matt Katsis and Stripping on Sunset are just some of the notable alumni of the GRID Series.
Mayor Trent Sullivan
The Geelong GRID Program offers tailored support that most musicians who are starting out dream of receiving.The GRID Series supports artists outside of inner-city music hubs who are looking for that extra edge to take their creative and professional skills to the next level.
Congratulations to Ridzyray, Baraka The Kid, Wild Gloriosa, Elena Nichols and Daisy Kilbourne – your talent hasn't gone unnoticed and we look forward to seeing you develop your craft and understanding of the industry.
As music can be a tough business to navigate, we are thrilled to be able to support these local musicians through one-on-one mentoring with some of Australia's industry experts.
Christine Couzens, Member for Geelong
The State Government is proud to support young Geelong musicians through the Geelong GRID program.That young musicians, from different cultural backgrounds, can receive support and mentoring from experienced industry professionals, gives them the opportunity to grow as music professionals.
Congratulations to the successful artists; that there were 50 competitive applicants is testament to Geelong's vibrant and diverse music culture.
