Wild Gloriosa shines at Music Victoria Awards

NEO-SOUL singer-songwriter Gloria Ragesh has been recognised at this year’s Music Victoria Awards.

For Ragesh, who took home the Diaspora Award for a culturally and linguistically diverse musician, last week’s industry celebration marked her very first awards event.

“I just feel very honoured. I feel very seen by community and…I feel like I was repping Geelong in a way as well,” she said.

A Geelong local with South Indian roots and a Singaporean upbringing, the songstress has previously shared the stage with renowned Australian artists such as Jessica Mauboy.

She has now released two singles under the moniker Wild Gloriosa – a named inspired by Tamil Nadu’s state flower gloriosa, or flame lily – the most recent of which was recorded during her time with the GRID Series music development program.

Ragesh is now working on an EP, with the support of soul industry heavyweights Anthony Liddell and Jake Amy, which she said will comprise up to five songs about her experience and the lessons she learned while transitioning into her 20s.

“I feel like the 20s is the decade of learning and figuring out what it is you like and the lessons that come with all of that,” she said.

“I’ve done my job if you [the audience] feel you can resonate with the message of my music, as well as bopping along to it.”

While she has big plans for her Wild Gloriosa music project, Ragesh said she was in no rush to achieve them.

“Right now, I feel like the authentic growth and the steady, slow growth is what I’m happy with,” she said.

“Nurturing an audience that authentically listens to my music, who cares about the message and who really resonates with the sound, that’s very important to me.

“I’m growing with my music and I’m figuring my sound as I develop it more and I work with people more.”

Wild Gloriosa will next perform on November 21 at Shotkickers in Thornbury, where she will support the musical return of soul-pop artist Velvet Bloom, before she hits the Geelong West Town Hall on November 29 for ALWAYS LIVE’s The Push All-Ages Tour.

Music Victoria chief executive officer Simone Schinkel said it was inspiring to reflect on a Music Victoria Award’s impact on the state’s artists, venues and festivals.

“Previous winners have often shared how these honours elevate visibility and recognition, and this year’s nominees and recipients are worthy of it all,” she said.

“Beyond this celebration, Music Victoria’s year-round work on behalf of our members continues – maintaining our unwavering focus on ensuring that local music is valued, accessible and enjoyed by all Victorians.”

Surf Coast live music venues the Torquay Hotel and the Anglesea-based The Sound Doctor also took home the title of Best Regional Venue or Presenter in the over 50 gigs and under 50 gigs award categories respectively.