Alice Skye announced as the inaugural recipient of a new award established to shine a light on and celebrate our emerging first peoples musicians.
Presented this morning at the One of One International Women’s Day Breakfast by Helen Marcou from Bakehouse Studios and Coco Eke from Bad Apples and generously hosted by the Abbotsford Convent, this award gifts cash as well as invaluable services such as mentorship, musical instruments and performance to the recipient with the aim of helping emerging artists survive the very challenging demands of ‘those early years’.
“I’m beyond grateful to have been chosen for this award,” says Alice. “Having the support of people in the industry, especially women, is what’s made such a difference for me. I also think it’s really encouraging to see the industry putting support into black artists, and for me personally this award has strengthened my confidence and really is that big reminder that I am doing what I’m meant to be doing (and that I can do what I want to be doing). Combining that with having access to equipment that I wouldn’t have without this support makes me feel so unbelievably thankful and excited for what’s next.”
22 year old singer songwriter Alice Skye is a Wergaia woman who grew up living aside the majesty of the Grampians, and was not short of songwriting inspiration. Still inspired by her roots, Alice now calls Melbourne home and says “I take great pride in my heritage and to combine both music and my background brings me an unexplainable amount of pride and happiness.”
In 2015 Alice entered the Alukura Competition (Alukura meaning ‘women’ in the Arrernte language), run by Australia’s longest running Indigenous music label CAAMA Music, and Alice’s original song ‘You Are The Mountains’ was selected to lead the compilation album. A recording contract with the CAAMA label followed and she quickly attracted management and agency representation. With songs that sparkle with a sensitivity and maturity well beyond her years, accompanied by the gentle and hauntingly sparse melodies of a piano score, Alice Skye is a name set to soar in the Australian pop scene as music lovers begin to learn more about this young yet mature talent. Declared one of the “5 new indigenous artists you need to hear” by Triple J. Alice releases her much anticipated debut album in April this year.
Award Prizes include:
• $ 2000 cash
• an invitation to the Bakehouse Studios Artist in Residence program, with a month’s use of the studio facilities
• Keyboard and stand compliments of Yamaha
• Mentoring from Briggs and Bad Apples
• a showcase at this year’s yet to be revealed MPavillion, designed by award-winning Spanish architect Carme Pinós.
• a photographic portrait from Michelle Grace-Hunder (Her Sound, Her Story), with a large-scale paste up installation at Bakehouse Studios, as part of the Bakehouse Hoddle St art project.
Origin of the award:
In 2017 Helen Marcou contributed as a panelist for the Sidney Myer foundation. The foundation generously entrusted Helen with philanthropic funds to gift to an artist or Not for Profit of her choice. Helen has gifted the $2000 to an emerging First People’s artist at the One of One International Women’s day breakfast. The selection committee for the prize was made up from the team at Bad Apples Music. Leigh Treweek, on behalf of Handshake Management has kindly donated the cash prize to continue this award in 2019.