The Telstra Road to Discovery 2014 Competition officially launched on Tuesday 8 July in Sydney, featuring performances from Andy Bull, MC/Artist Ella Hooper alongside last years winners Helen Shanahan (WA) and Christopher Coleman (TAS).
This year’s competition has shifted to embracing 100% original music with a stronger focus on mentorship, song writing and music education for independent and unsigned songwriters. The program this year will put emerging artists in touch with leading industry figures, as well as providing a platform for their music to be heard by a wider audience, and providing them with solid media exposure. The competition will tour 8 showcase heats staged across the country, in which 6 local (pre-screened) applicants are selected to perform. The heat performers will also have the chance to participate in a Mini Music Industry Q & A session with Head Judge Bill Page and MC/artist Ella Hooper.
In addition to the heats, 8 online applicants will be selected to progress through to Boot Camp(3-day intensive series held in Melbourne) and then the semi-final. At the Grand Final stage of the competition, ten emerging songwriters will be selected to perform, which will produce 2 ultimate equal winners who each receive a 12 month tailored talent development package.
This year Telstra Road To Discovery will also roll out 6 online Songwriting Education lessons and will run streamed masterclasses in October and November, which will feature music industry professionals sharing their songwriting knowledge.
The Telstra Road to Discovery Semi Final will be an invite only event, with 16 finalists performing with our house band in a public forum. 10 of the 16 finalists will then progress to the Final, which will be held at The Forum in Melbourne this November. The finalists will perform in front of 4-5 music industry specialists.
2 winners are each awarded a bespoke 12 month talent development and mentorship package that includes performance, songwriting and marketing development, studio recording time, local and international gigs including a return trip to Nashville USA, yearlong access to key music industry personnel for career development and workshopping.
Entries are now open – apply today by heading here.
