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. [We] 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 $50k for building our name overseas. It’s all very surreal; I don’t think we’ve really taken it in yet.
Winners of the grant last year, King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard, did quite a bit with the cash prize. What’s the first thing you’ll do with a $50,000 cash prize?
I think we will definitely look at releasing our singles properly in the UK; first thing. It’ll 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 much like yourselves?
Our main tip to 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.
SAFIA are nominated for the Carlton Dry Global Music Grant; $50,000 put towards launching the band overseas, they are also set to perform on the night. The AIR Awards take place at North Melbourne Meat Market, Wednesday October 8.
