Kite String Tangle wins Grant McLennan Fellowship

Brisbane electronic artist and producer Danny Harley (The Kite String Tangle) has been awarded the $25,000 Grant McLennan Fellowship for 2018.

The announcement was made at a ceremony held in Brisbane last night, before guests, artists, musicians, producers, partners and key music industry personnel.

The Fellowship, which honours the late Go-Betweens co-founder, is jointly funded by the Queensland government and APRA AMCOS and administered by QMusic

Kellie Lloyd, APRA AMCOS Qld writer services representative presented the award and congratulated Harley, along with fellow shortlisted finalists The Ironing Maidens, Gabriella Cohen and Spencer White.

“Danny impressed the judges with his songwriting, his commitment to his craft and the manner in which he has established himself in Queensland’s creative community.”

Harley will use the fellowship to immerse himself in the electronic music and arts scene in Berlin.

Now in its twelfth year, the award gives winners the chance to follow in McLennan’s footsteps and live in New York, London or Berlin for up to six months for creative inspiration and career development.

2017 fellowship recipient Jeremy Neale said he approached songwriting in both formal and informal settings during his time in New York.

“I completed a two-week songwriting intensive at NYU, worked consistently with a piano teacher and arranged co-writing sessions with locals and international visitors.

“I also spent a lot of time with myself in reflection of my life, my writing and the future of my career in music”.

At last night’s ceremony, Neale presented his legacy item to the State Library of Queensland for inclusion in the Grant McLennan Memorial Archive – a framed text of his reflections and learnings from his adventure in NYC.

He said, “It was a really transformative and powerful time in my life and I am so thankful for the opportunity.

“My hope is that something I have to share resonates with and helps those undertaking the great journey that is being a songwriter for life.”