Katie Noonan QLD Music Festival Carol Lloyd Award Interview

Carol Lloyd Award Returns in 2019 and Continues to Support Emerging Queensland Female Artists

The Carol Lloyd Award is returning in 2019, proudly presented by the Queensland Music Festival and championed by Australian recording artist, Katie Noonan.

With support from Arts Queensland, APRA AMCOS and Hutchinson Builders, the Carol Lloyd Award is presented to an upcoming female identifying singer-songwriter, who resides in Queensland.

The prize includes a $15,000 grant to either record a full-length album or record and tour an EP. The award gives recipients a head start in their career, the opportunity to broaden their experience within the music industry and helps them realise their goals as an emerging artist. Applicants can submit up to three tracks of original music and supporting material.

The Carol Lloyd Award for 2019 was officially announced by Minister for the Arts, Leeanne Enoch at this year's Australian Women in Music Awards.

"The Queensland Government works to provide platforms to kick start the careers of emerging musicians, and celebrate and support artists to reach new audiences" Minister Enoch said.

"The Carol Lloyd Award – now in its third year – supports emerging female singer-songwriters to showcase and develop their work."

"The award has had a big impact on previous winners, Leanne Tennant in 2018, and Georgia Potter in 2017, and I look forward to naming a third talented Queensland music artist in 2019" Minister Enoch said.

Judging of the 2019 Carol Lloyd Award will be overseen by Queensland Music Festival and Queensland artists. Award judges are Katie Noonan, Joc Curran, Leanne de Souza, Sean Sennett, John Willsteed and Annie Peterson.

Carol Lloyd was the first Australian female singer-songwriter to front a successful rock band, making her name in the ultimate boys club when she started out with Railroad Gin in the 1970s, then the Carol Lloyd Band, and finally as a solo artist, stacking up number one hits along the way.

Her ground-breaking, worldwide EMI publishing contract saw Carol release hits like A Matter of Time, Do Ya Love Me and You Told The World in 27 countries. Carol Lloyd lost her battle with pulmonary fibrosis in February 2017, but the wild woman of rock's spirit lives on.

"Queensland has a remarkable history of producing world-class songwriters and storytellers. This award aims to continue this tradition and pay tribute to an incredible trailblazing woman of Australian music.

"Carol paved the way for so many women and I have no doubt our award winners will continue to do the same - celebrating and supporting our unique Queensland identity and taking it to the world stage." says, Katie Noonan

Former winner Leanne Tennant completed her National RED WINE, LATE NIGHTS album tour which included sold out shows and festival appearances at BIGSOUND, Sydney Blues & Roots and Red Deer Festival. Leanne has spent the last two years developing her artistry and promoting her debut album. The record is full of 'real moments', which have been beautifully captured by Brisbane producer, Jamie Trevaskis. The collection of songs has a beautifully dark element and are refreshingly honest.

Additionally, Georgia Potter's career went from strength to strength with her Brisbane \ Byron Bay three-piece band, Moreton after winning the award in 2017.

The submission process for the Carol Lloyd Award involves both written and recorded material. Entries are now open and will close on 1 March 2019. More information can be found at www.qmf.org.au

Interview with Katie Noonan

Question: What are the Carol Lloyd Awards?

Katie Noonan: The Carol Lloyd is a $15,000 award I started in 2017 designed to support emerging female singer/songwriters based in QLD.


Question: Why was it important for you to be involved in the Carol Lloyd Award?

Katie Noonan: Carol was a true trailblazing woman of Aussie rock and a sweetheart and great supporter of her industry and women in the arts.

When she was in her final moments on this earth, I decided an award in her honour would be a great way to celebrate a QLD icon and support the new generation of QLD female artists.


Question: As a judge, what are you looking for in the female artists?

Katie Noonan: I look for an artist who doesn't sound like anyone else, has a strong vision for their career and has an exceptional work ethic.


Question: What advice do you have for emerging female artists?

Katie Noonan: Try not to sound like anyone else, learn the business side of things thoroughly, never rest on your laurels and keep improving as a musician and business woman. And be nice - firm but respectful.

Question: What motivates you most when writing music?

Katie Noonan: My children and husband, my friends and nature.


Question: Which music/artists are you currently listening to?

Katie Noonan: I am currently learning a bunch of new Aussie classical music for my recording with the Australian String Quartet this week (!) so mainly listening to that to be honest, interspersed with James Blake's beautiful new album and Leon Bridges' funky ass latest album!


Question: What or who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Katie Noonan: The power of music and its capacity to heal and do well is my ultimate inspiration, but in terms of musical influences my five earliest influences were Annie Lennox, Crowded House, U2, Jeff Buckley and Vivaldi (the four season was my ultimate jam!)


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Katie Noonan: I would love to play with Richard Tognetti and the ACO again sometime soon - playing with them is like floating on a musical cloud of awesomeness. Other than that I am open to collaborating with anyone to be honest - anyone creatively unique, focused and caring and open hearted.


Question: What's next, for you?
Katie Noonan: Recording The Glad Tomorrow with the Australian String Quartet - this is a 10 piece song cycle that I commissioned featuring the words of iconic Indigenous Quandamooka poet/activist Oodgeroo Noonuccal. It is a privilege to sing her incredible words, set to music by 10 of our very finest classical composers. After that I set out on a 20 date Australian tour with my trio Elixir and Michael Leunig, sharing our latest album 'Gratitude and Grief' and then I present my second festival as Artistic Director of the QLD Music Festival in July.


Interview by Brooke Hunter