Liv Cartledge and Merpire named 2015 Telstra Road to Discovery winners

PRESS RELEASE:

Telstra Road to Discovery has uncovered Australia’s next generation of aspiring songwriters after Liv Cartledge (St Kilda, VIC) and Rhiannon Atkinson-Howatt aka Merpire (Redfern, NSW) were crowned the winners of the 2015 program last night.

Liv and Merpire have each won a $15,000 music development package, a return trip to the United States to perform at the Americana Music Festival, mentoring with Australia’s leading industry professionals, local gigs and ongoing education and support to kick-start their career.

Following a performance from headline act, ALPINE, the announcement was made on stage tonight at the Telstra Theatre by Director Marketing Enablement, Nick Adams.

The event was hosted by Ella Hooper and judged by some of Australia’s leading music experts including alt-pop maestro and 2014 ARIA nominee, Andy Bull, Sony/ATV & Affinity Music Group, Adam ‘Weez’ Booth and Mushroom Music’s Creative Manager, Bill Page.

Telstra’s Nick Adams said Telstra Road to Discovery has been committed to developing Australia’s music community through music education, mentorship and ongoing support for 13 years.

“Each year we are incredibly impressed by the talent that comes through this program and I’d like to congratulate Liv and Merpire on this outstanding achievement. We look forward to watching their music careers develop in the years to come,” said Mr. Adams.

Sydney songwriter, Merpire, creates ethereal sounds with her ukulele and shares left-of-centre tales of love to steal hearts and captivate audiences.

“You make such good friends on this program. I’m so lucky to be a winner of Telstra Road to Discovery but tonight we’re really all winners,”said Ms Atkinson-Howatt.

St Kilda artist Ms Cartledge creates her own unique style of pop, rock and acoustic. She has recently released a new single which premiered on Channel Ten’s Neighbours.

“I was so nervous before I started my Telstra Road journey, but tonight I was told to go out there and be the best version of myself, to be Liv Cartledge, so I did,” said Ms Cartledge.

Will Anderson (Mackay, QLD) was also announced as the 2015 People’s Choice winner being granted $1,000 prize.

The winners were among an exceptionally talented list of finalists, including Ciaram Granger (Glenelg, SA), Ryan Nebauer AKA Neighbour (Greenslopes, QLD) and Sydnee Carter (Wanneroo, WA).

For more information, visit telstra.com/trtd.