Geelong’s rising stars shine after completing GRID Series music program

THE Grass Roots Indie Development (GRID) Series music program marked its exciting conclusion last month with a concert, celebrating the achievements of its first Geelong cohort.

The artist development initiative, supported by the state government in partnership with the City of Greater Geelong and the Victorian Music Development Office (VMDO), aims to nurture emerging artists through intensive mentoring sessions with a team of industry experts.

Over the course of the six-month program, the five local musicians involved – Baraka The Kid, Wild Gloriosa, Ridzyray, LENNi and Daisy Kilbourne – each developed new songs which they performed at the final concert on April 17.

A series of documentaries, providing further insight into the challenges and motivations of each of the musicians, also premiered at the event.

Participant Daisy Kilbourne said the ending to the GRID Series was “bittersweet”.

“It was so much fun…I didn’t want it to end,” she said.

“There’s so many things that you take away from the experience, but I think it’s just that there [are] people out there that want to see you succeed and are willing to help you.

“[The program] was such a massive help. [The mentors] just give you all this information that, I think, would be really hard to find without those mentors and those people backing you.”

Her experience with the GRID Series led to the release of her first track, the deeply personal acoustic/folk song “Mother”.

The song was written as a conversation between a mother and her child and grapples with feelings of helplessness and grief.

Mayor Trent Sullivan thanked the state government and the VMDO for helping to make the music program possible.

“Through the GRID program, we’ve witnessed the transformative power of mentorship and collaboration in nurturing the next generation of musical talent,” Cr Sullivan said.

“From the Windermere Ward to the Kardinia Ward, these artists represent the vibrant diversity of our community, and their voices will continue to resonate far beyond Geelong.

“As we bid farewell to this year’s GRID cohort, their journey doesn’t end here – it’s only just beginning.

“Watch out for these rising stars as they continue to make waves in the music industry.”

Kilbourne said the release of her first song had opened new doors and she was now working towards the release of her first EP, which is expected to drop before the end of the year.

“I would just say that if GRID Series do another Geelong program…everyone who is thinking of applying should apply.

“Go for it and kick goals.”

She said she almost did not apply for the program, fearing she wouldn’t stack up against Geelong’s other talented musicians, and encouraged others not to let similar concerns hold them back from the “amazing experience”.