Sahara Beck Wins Prestigious Carol Lloyd Award

Sunshine Coast born songstress and 2018 finalist Sahara Beck has been announced as the winner of the 2019 Carol Lloyd Award and is the recipient of the $15,000 grant to help her continue to grow her career as an Australian recording artist.

Sahara has been working tirelessly for the past few years, recording and releasing singles with Tony Buchen (Mansionair, Courtney Barnett, Montaigne), garnering radio support from triple j, finishing an album and two-EPs, Sahara is the driving force behind her own career.

Sahara has performed sell-out headline shows and been a guest performer at leading music festivals such as Bluesfest and the Falls Music & Arts Festival as well as supporting artists such as Ball Park Music, Bishop Briggs and Paul Kelly.

Sahara was successfully shortlisted along with Ella Fence, Angharad Drake, Andrea Kirwin and Asha Jefferies but was the stand out contender this year.

"Sahara Beck is, for me, the triple-P: Productive, Persistent and Professional. She has been in our sights for some time, and the timing of this award will no doubt be a great catapult for her. She will fly!" – Says judge, John Willsteed.

On winning the award Sahara says, "Every one of these finalists have worked incredibly hard on their music and their art. Putting yourself and your art out there - it's a very hard thing to do, to keep believing in yourself especially when you have no money in your pocket. It is such an honour to get the acknowledgement from people within my industry but to then have the financial support to be able to continue releasing my music - it is the thing I hold closest in this world."

Arts Minister Leeanne Enoch congratulated Sahara on winning the 2019 Carol Lloyd Award, supporting the next stage of her music career.

"The Palaszczuk Government is proud to support the Carol Lloyd Award, through Arts Queensland, to help an emerging female-identifying singer-songwriter record their music and broaden their experience in the industry.

"Sahara is a fantastic Queensland talent and a hard worker. I'm excited to see where she goes in her career," Ms Enoch said.

"Thank you to all the entrants this year and congratulations to the four other finalists, whose wonderful artistry is contributing so much to our state's incredibly vibrant music scene."

The Carol Lloyd Award is proudly presented by the Queensland Music Festival and championed by internationally renowned singer-songwriter and Artistic Director, Katie Noonan.

The Carol Lloyd Award is now in its third year and has had a significant impact on previous winners, Leanne Tennant in 2018, and Georgia Potter (Moreton) in 2017.

The 2019 Carol Lloyd Award judging panel featured industry veterans Katie Noonan, Joc Curran, Leanne de Souza, Sean Sennett, John Willsteed and Annie Peterson.

Interview with Sahara Beck

Question: Congratulation on the Carol Lloyd Award, how does it feel to win this award and grant?

Sahara Beck: I am incredibly honoured to win this award, I still can't believe it!


Question: How will you be spending the $15,000 grant?

Sahara Beck: I am going to create my next album!

I have spent the last couple of years investing my personal, creative and financial resources pushing myself as a writer and a musician working towards what I feel is now some of my most accomplished work to date. Winning the Carol Lloyd Award means that I now have the opportunity to record and release an album of this material at a crucial time in my career development. It is honestly a life changing opportunity for an independent artist!


Question: Were you able to chat with Katie Noonan or any of the other judges, at the awards?

Sahara Beck: Yes, in fact I was able to chat with a few of the judges at the awards ceremony and give them a big thank you! It was a very overwhelming evening for me.


Question: How would you describe your music?

Sahara Beck: I have written within and explored many different genres of music. What I am pursuing currently I would describe as 'Passionate Art Pop'. There's a bit of 80's influence in there mixed with some big vocal parts.


Question: Which is your favourite song to perform live and why?
Sahara Beck: Probably "I'm in Love" off my album Panacea because I get to be dynamic with my voice.


Question: If you could have anyone, in the world, attend a show, who would it be?

Sahara Beck: Well if the answer to this question can include an artist who has passed I would have to choose David Bowie.


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Sahara Beck: Performing live, for sure. Recording is a wonderfully creative process. But performing live is where you can experience that connection with people.


Question: What motivates you most when writing music?

Sahara Beck: It's always something different; usually just whatever sparks a passionate feeling in my mind in that moment.


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

Sahara Beck: I'm listening to a lot of The Fleetwoods and The Platters at the moment; it's such calming music and I need that right now.

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

Sahara Beck: Initially writing songs just started very organically, but the inspiration to perform them came from watching Harry Angus from The Cat Empire sing at a festival stage one year. He snapped me into this moment that was so still I knew straight away this is what I wanted to do with my life.


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

Sahara Beck: Anderson Paak!


Question: What is the biggest challenge you have faced along the way to your musical success?

Sahara Beck: Having to continue believing in myself. It's a real struggle for all creatives at every step of your journey.


Interview by Brooke Hunter