Song of ‘hope’ named Surf Coast Song Contest winner

A SONG of hope has emerged as the winning act following nine performances at this year’s Surf Coast Song Contest.

The Express Empire performed its song Hold On in front of a sold-out event at the Torquay Bowls Club on January 25, involving an acoustic guitar sound and dual vocal harmonies that complemented a driving, evolving bass line and steady ballad beat.

The Express Empire were grateful to be named winners after a day filled with positive messages and informative songs putting an emphasis on mental health.

“It’s about our efforts to care for each other and our environment against the uncertainty of the modern world and future,” vocalist Gavin Clifford from the Express Empire said.

“We sometimes move forward with trepidation, but by supporting each other and ‘holding on’.”

The Express Empire’s four members hail from Melbourne and Geelong and are all vocalists who collaborate to produce harmonies and stories in an exquisite aural tapestry.

All songs performed at the Surf Coast Song Contest related to hope and wellbeing, as part of the original submission phase of the event.

Thanks to its performance, the band won a recording and studio time at Oxygen Music based in Geelong valued at $1000, as well as $150 Music Workshop store voucher.

President of Art of the Minds Jules Haddock said the event was a major success with all tickets being sold and then some.

“It was fantastic,” Ms Haddock said.

“We sold all 120 tickets and in the end we had around 150 people in attendance, which was all the Bowls Club could take in the end.”

Participation from the crowd and the musicians was awesome according to Ms Haddock, stating it was indicative of the growing attention the event garners each year.

“The Song Contest is definitely growing in strength, we have now triple the entries than last year’s event and it has become a real headline event for Art of the Minds too,” she said.

“For next year’s event we are already looking at acquiring more major sponsors which will allow this event to continue to grow.”

A recording of the winning band’s 2022 Surf Coast Song Contest performance can be viewed on The Express Empire’s YouTube channel.