Hatchie wins $25k Levi’s Music Prize, eyes overseas touring

Emerging Brisbane singer/songwriter Harriette Pilbeam (Hatchie) was today awarded the fourth round of the $25,000 Levi’s Music Prize.

The quarterly prize, judged by a panel; of international music executives, aims to support artists that have built significant initial career momentum via their BIGSOUND experience but need a financial leg-up to keep progressing on the international stage.

Showcasing at BIGSOUND during her breakout year in 2017, Pilbeam has spent the past 12 months building her team across the globe, signing with record labels in the UK, US and Australia.

Following breakthrough debut singles Try and Sure, Hatchie toured internationally with appearances at SXSW and The Great Escape, before releasing her debut EP Sugar & Spice in May 2018.

The EP reached the top 10 of the NACC and features the track Sleep which was named best new track by US publication Pitchfork.

“I’m so excited and honoured to be receiving the Levi’s Music Prize,” she said.

“Over the next six months, I will be touring the world extensively in support of Sugar & Spice.

“The award will help get me to North America (twice), France and the UK. I can’t thank Levi’s and BIGSOUND enough for supporting me from so early on.”

The international component of the judging panel included representatives from Sky (UK), Transgressive (US), and United Talent (UK).

The Levi’s Music Prize offers a total annual prize pool of $100K over an initial three-year commitment.

So far, Stella Donnelly, Alex Lahey, Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever and Hatchie have received $25,000 each, to help them achieve their export goals.

Acts who have performed at BIGSOUND within the last five years (2014-2018) will now be eligible for the next four rounds.

Levi’s announced early this year, that from Round 1 2018/19 the prize will increase to include $5,000 to each winning artist in travel from Stage & Screen entertainment travel.

Artists performing in the 2018 showcase will now be in the running to win an increased Levi’s Music Prize pool of $30K to be awarded on the last day of BIGSOUND – September 7.

Visit www.bigsound.org.au for more information.