Kyü win 2010 SOYA award

Fri 12th Nov, 2010 in Local News

Sydney duo Kyu won the Qantas Spirit of Youth Award for Music (SOYA), at a ceremony held in Sydney last night.

The awards recognise emerging artists aged 30 and under and are presented in seven creative fields – fashion, film, visual arts, visual communications, music, industrial and object design and photography. Past SOYA winners of the music category include Wolf and Cub, My Disco, Oh Mercy and Fergus Brown.

Kyu’s prize includes $5000 in cash and $5000 in Qantas flights, as well as a 12-month mentorship opportunity with producer Lee Groves (Goldfrapp, Depeche Mode, Gwen Stefani) who will be assisting the band to develop their opportunities both locally and internationally.

Explaining the decision Groves said that “From the moment I heard their music I was intrigued. Then I saw their live show. It all seemed so honest, heartfelt and almost tribal but beautiful too – which I found fascinating. I feel that it is really something unique and inspirational – and it could command attention internationally. I think the band are at the start of their journey and their ideas and potential are not yet fully realised; for me there’s a palpable sense that their ideas will develop and go in almost any direction. And I find that very exciting.”

The full shortlist of ten acts nominated for the SOYA featured Cloud Control, Deep Sea Arcade, Kyu, Leader Cheetah, Love Connection, The Middle East, Seekae, Super Wild Horses, Thundamentals and Washington; with the NSW trio of Cloud Control, Deep Sea Arcade and Kyu selected as the final three in contention for the prize. Kyu and fellow SOYA nominees Super Wild Horses also both feature on Triple J’s Next Crop list for 2011.

Kyu continue their run of live shows this month, performing shows with the recently renamed Djanimals, before taking the stage at Meredith Music Festival and Peats Ridge in December.

Friday 12th November – Grand Hotel, Wollongong
Saturday 13th November – Clubhouse, Brisbane
Thursday 18th November – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
Saturday 20th November – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
Friday 10th December – Meredith Music Festival
Wednesday 29th December – Peats Ridge Arts & Music Festival