Brisbane’s Cub Sport receive inaugural ARIA Emerging Artist Scholarship Presented By Virgin Australia

Brisbane band Cub Sport take to the skies after being named the recipients of the inaugural ARIA Emerging Artist Scholarship Presented By Virgin Australia.

The scholarship focuses on helping emerging artists take the next step in their local and global touring career.

It was open to any Australian artist (represented by a current ARIA member) that appeared in the ARIA Top 100 Albums or Singles Chart during the 2017 calendar year and had not been previously nominated for an ARIA Award.

Cub Sport are entirely independent, self-managed and self-funded.

Their second album BATS from last September was released through their own label, Cub Sport Records and peaked at #14 on the ARIA Australian Artist Album chart.

Virgin Australia will provide band members travel support for both domestic and international legs of Cub Sports’ 2018 world tour.

Keyboards player Sam ‘Bolan’ Netterfield explained, “The costs associated with touring both domestically and internationally are significant and can be the limiting factor in many independent bands’ careers.

“This travel support will play a direct and pivotal role in allowing us to continue pursuing our global vision by returning to international markets to play shows, connect with fans as well as expanding our creative and professional network.”

Dan Rosen, chief executive of ARIA stated, “On behalf of all at ARIA we are thrilled to present Cub Sport with the inaugural ARIA Emerging Artist Scholarship Presented by Virgin Australia.

“I would like to thank Virgin Australia for their support and contribution which will assist in developing the band’s career and help them take their music to the world.”

Virgin Australia group executive brand, marketing and public affairs Danielle Keighery added, “Virgin has a long and rich history with music, and at Virgin Australia we’re excited to support emerging Australian artists like Cub Sport, develop their careers by showcasing their talents to Australia and the world.”

Cub Sport just dropped the video for new single ‘Crush’.

According to lead singer Tim Nelson it’s about his coming out and eventually getting engaged to Netterfield.

He said of the song, “(It’s) about the night that completely changed the course of our lives and the enormous wave of emotions it brought on; happiness, relief, an instant regret for not saying something sooner and guilt that the time it took me to embrace my true self had left Bolan hanging in limbo.”

The earlier ‘Oh Lord’ from BATS was also about that experience.