Last weeks for Queensland’s female musicians to enter the 2018 Carol Lloyd Award

WITH only a few weeks remaining for female singer-songwriters across the state to enter Queensland Music Festival’s (QMF) 2018 Carol Lloyd Award, artistic director Katie Noonan is calling out to musicians to enter the award for a chance to be presented with a $15,000 grant to kick start their career. 

The Carol Lloyd Award was launched in 2016 in honour of Australia’s first ‘Rock Chick’ Carol Lloyd, with the aim of supporting the state’s emerging female musicians. Each year, one exceptional artist either born in or currently residing in Queensland, is awarded the funding to assist in recording an original full-length album, or record and tour an EP, as well as broadening their experience in the music industry and connecting with some of Queensland’s most respected artists. 

In 2017, eclectic alt-pop musician Georgia Potter, also known as Moreton, was selected as the inaugural Carol Lloyd Award winner. Ms Potter has used the opportunity and Lloyd’s legacy to make crucial industry connections and take the next step in her career.

"The award has meant I’m now at the cusp of releasing Moreton's sophomore record. Without the funding or the support from the Carol Lloyd Award, I'm not sure I'd be standing at this juncture quite as quickly,” said Ms Potter. 

 

"The award afforded us a very special extended stay at Airlock Studios, owned and run by ex-Powderfinger guitarist Ian Haug. Staying at the studio meant we could work all day and night, eat together and hang out - it was how I always imagined making a record to be. I was also able to make a musical dream come true by recording a horn section for one of the songs, so that was a special moment for me.

"I encourage Queensland female musicians to apply for the 2018 award. Even from writing the application you'll gain clarity about your next steps and have taken the time to focus on your project. I learnt a lot from applying, irrespective of becoming the inaugural award recipient, which is a pretty good carrot for motivation.”

The 2018 award winner will be announced during a very special edition of QMF artistic director Katie Noonan’s brainchild Songs That Made Me (staged for QMF 2017) at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre Concert Hall on Sunday 8 April.

The glittering closing event of WOW at Festival 2018 will feature Australian stars Clare Bowditch, Deborah Conway, Emily Wurramara and Hannah Macklin alongside some of the greatest voices from across the Commonwealth of Nations to celebrate women in music and the landmark songs that have soundtracked each performer’s lives. 

ARIA-winning musician and Carol Lloyd Award judge Katie Noonan said she was excited to see who would apply for the 2018 award.

"It was an absolute joy to receive such strong and diverse applications for the inaugural Carol Lloyd Award in 2017. I am looking forward to announcing the 2018 winner at our very special Songs That Made Me concert in April, which will showcase amazing female musicians from Australia, Canada and the Pacific Islands.

"Queensland Music Festival will continue to strive to provide opportunities like this for female musicians in the Australian music landscape - women are still underrepresented here and around the world and we hope awards like this will help to bring about necessary change.”

The 2018 judging panel consists of QMF’s artistic director Katie Noonan, Time Off Media’s Sean Sennett, Rock & Roll Writers Festival director Leanne de Souza, QUT Head of Music John Willsteed, former co-owner of The Zoo Joc Curran and Women in Voice founder Annie Peterson.

The submission process for the Carol Lloyd Award involves both written and recorded material - more details, terms and conditions can be found at qmf.org.au. Entries close on Friday 9 March 2018.

About Queensland Music Festival

Queensland Music Festival is a state-wide celebration of music with a vision to transform lives and communities through music. Queensland Music Festival is an initiative of the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.

The Carol Lloyd Award is presented by Queensland Music Festival and supported by APRA AMCOS, Hutchinson Builders and the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.