Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever win $25k Levi’s Music Prize

Melbourne five-piece Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever was awarded the third round of the $25,000 Levi’s Music Prize by a panel of international judges.

The quarterly prize aims to support artists that have built significant initial career momentum via their BIGSOUND experience, but who need a financial leg-up to keep moving forward on the international stage.

After performing at the BIGSOUND conference and showcase in Brisbane in 2016, the Rolling Blackouts went on to sign with Sub Pop Records and release their critically acclaimed EP The French Press in 2017.

With their debut album set for release in June 2018, the band are currently on a two-month overseas tour, playing the European and American festival circuits, including Coachella, Shaky Knees, The Great Escape in the UK, and Barcelona’s Primavera Sound.

“We are so grateful to have been chosen for the Levi’s Music Prize,” the band said in a statement.

“BIGSOUND provided the opportunity for us play a bunch of shows in front of music industry folks from around the world.

“Because of the conference we were able to secure a US booking agent and set things in motion for us to start touring our music.

“Because touring is not cheap, particularly for Australian bands, it is not easy for young artists to take their music on the road. The Levi’s Music Prize will help us tour our album to new audiences in new cities and towns.”

The decision was made by a panel of international music industry buyers including representatives from ATC Live, Planetary Group and Vector Management.

Past $25,000 winners of the Music Prize were Stella Donnelly and Alex Lahey.

Last month, Levi’s also announced that from Round 1, 2018/19, the prize will increase to include $5,000 for each winning artist in travel from entertainment travel company Stage & Screen.

Levi’s marketing manager for Australia & New Zealand Nicky Rowsell commented, “It’s been great to see the Levi’s Music Prize gain momentum over the last eight months.

“We’ve had such a positive response with an amazing array of musicians applying each quarter.

“Australia has an abundance of talent, and it’s a joy to be able to give back to the music community in such a way that can really help further an artist’s international career opportunities.

“We look forward to seeing all of our winners achieve success and make inroads overseas in the coming months and years to come.”

The Prize is administered by Queensland’s peak music association QMusic in conjunction with music export body Sounds Australia.

Applications are now open for Round 4 and will close June 11.

Artists who have performed on the official BIGSOUND lineup between 2013 – 2017 are invited to apply via www.bigsound.org.au. This is the last chance for artists who showcased in 2013.

Artists accepted to play BIGSOUND Festival, 4 – 7, 2018 are automatically eligible for Round 1 2018/19 with the winner to be announced on the final day of BIGSOUND 2018.