Isol-Aid and 99designs by Vistaprint present Homegrown: a collaboration providing creative and financial support to emerging bands across ANZ. Local musician Muroki is set to perform on Wednesday 8 September.
With the arts and creative industries facing yet another incredibly tough year, Isol-Aid and 99designs by Vistaprint have joined forces to offer creative and financial support to some of the most exciting emerging bands and musicians across Australia and New Zealand.
The Chronicle caught up with Muroki ahead of his performance:
What has the past 18 months looked like for you as an artist?
In October last year I was picked up by CRS Management and signed to Benee’s new record label, Olive Records. From there I featured on Benee’s debut album, hey u , I did a nationwide tour of New Zealand opening for her, playing in 6 town halls and doing 2 arena shows. In the midst of this, I was cooking up tunes alongside the producers Djeisan Suskov and Josh Fountain. I released my first EP ‘Dawn’ earlier this year with ‘Wavy’ hitting the top 40 in NZ and number 2 in the Shazam charts. Since then I’ve been continuously playing shows and writing. If someone had told me this 10 months ago, I probably would’ve pissed my pants in disbelief. I feel beyond blessed about the past 18 months.
How has your music been influenced?
In terms of lyrics, I’m influenced by my own personal experiences that I think are also relatable for other people. I’m mainly influenced by South American, African, Pacific and Pop sounds. I’m always trying to listen to a wide range of genres and implement different sounds into my own music to keep things fresh.
What have you been working on during the current lockdown?
I have been trying to spice up my guitar skills! I’ve also been doing a lot of writing and zoom recording sessions.
How did it feel to be announced in the lineup for Isol-Aid Homegrown, and what does the set mean to you?
It feels good to be able to play to an audience again. I’ll be playing with two of my flatmates who I’ve been making some music with over lockdown, so it’s going to be great to share some of the jams we’ve been practicing.
What can audiences expect on Wednesday?
Three hooligans playing music, haha.
What are your plans for your music in 2022 and beyond?
I’m aiming to get overseas and play some shows in Australia and further if possible. Also releasing some more music that I’ve been working on over the past few months.
Isol-Aid Homegrown is a new 16 week program where emerging local acts are invited to perform alongside established artists as part of Isol-Aid’s online festival. 25 acts will also receive $2,000 worth of design work from professional freelance artists from the 99designs community to create promotional materials such as t-shirts, posters, album art or other merch, which will be produced by Vistaprint. One act will also be selected by a panel of judges to receive a $10,000 grant to boost their career and creative growth, alongside a dedicated mentoring session from Killing Heidi singer and solo artist, Ella Hooper.
Ella Hooper, who is an industry ambassador for Isol-Aid Homegrown, said, “I’m so excited to be able to join the Isol-Aid and 99designs teams in providing some of Australia and New Zealand’s most exciting emerging musicians with real, tangible support while the industry is very much in recovery mode. It’s going to be incredible to see people getting around their favourite Homegrown artists as we come together to celebrate our local music community and help discover new talent.”
Isol-Aid Festival streams live on TikTok every two weeks from 6-7.30pm and each bill will feature at least one of the selected Homegrown acts.
“This collaboration is a celebration of creativity and global connections,” said Patrick Llewellyn, CEO of 99designs by Vistaprint. “We’re excited to match our talented community of designers with bands and musicians across Australia and New Zealand who are just starting their creative journeys, and to provide some much needed support at a time when the arts have been particularly hard hit.”
Emily Ulman, founder of Isol-Aid Festival said, “This next chapter of Isol-Aid is particularly exciting. It’s wonderful to be able to continue delivering incredible live local (Aus & NZ) talent to audiences on TikTok, regardless of their location or lockdown, and it’s extra amazing to now be able to offer Homegrown musicians the opportunity to collaborate with incredible designers who can make their artistic visions for merch, tour posters, album art etc become a reality; to literally grow. Isol-Aid is hugely grateful to 99designs by Vistaprint and TikTok for making this possible.”
About Isol-Aid
Isol-Aid is an award-winning online music festival and community, profiling musicians who have been hit hard by the pandemic over the past year. Described as ‘a rabbit hole of new music discovery, community, and good feels’ Isol-Aid’s festival streams online every other Wednesday from 14th July 2021 on TikTok and at isolaidfestival.com.
About 99designs by Vistaprint
With a worldwide community of more than 150,000 talented freelance designers, 99designs by
Vistaprint is the global creative platform that makes it easy for clients and creators to work together to create designs they love. Spanning more than 180 countries, the 99designs creative community has earned more than $360m USD on the platform to date. 99designs.com
