Speed, the flute-wielding hardcore band based mostly in Sydney, Australia, have received the inaugural New South Wales Music Prize, taking residence the whopping $80,000 reward on the power of their debut album, 2024’s Only One Mode. The state authorities launched the NSW Music Prize final 12 months as a part of their 10-year plan to assist native musicians amidst an more and more aggressive market, noting how streaming platforms prioritize worldwide artists over native acts. Velocity beat Ninajirachi, Rüfüs Du Sol, 3%, Barkaa, Kobie Dee, Onefour, Celebration Dozen, Shady Nasty, and Vv Pete & Utility for the consideration.
“In 2025, now we have a complete new technology of wonderful youngsters everywhere in the nation making Sydney and Australian hardcore the sickest it’s ever been,” Velocity stated throughout their acceptance speech. “With that being stated, this award belongs to them – the individuals round us who make it what it’s – and we’ll take a while to consider the easiest way we will pay that ahead to continue to grow this the fitting approach.”
Solely One Mode has loads of harsh beatdowns, as to be anticipated in hardcore, however Velocity additionally incorporate a variety of surprising parts into their sound, the obvious of which is a trilling flute – as heard on their viral single “The First Check.” Vocalist Jem Siow, guitarists Joshua Clayton and Dennis Vichidvongsa, bassist Aaron Siow, and drummer Kane Vardon take delight in bringing a contemporary contact to punk whereas upholding an earnest authenticity.
This previous summer season, Velocity joined Turnstile’s large North American tour as openers. As with Velocity’s personal headlining exhibits, singer Jem Siow gave speeches onstage throughout that run in regards to the significance of inclusivity within the hardcore scene, talking out in opposition to anti-Asian racism, and addressing the male suicide epidemic. He additionally usually discusses how enjoying music collectively in a band together with his brother and pals makes life’s difficulties rather less daunting.
New South Wales’ authorities allocates $160,000 for his or her new annual music prize, which is then cut up into three classes. Velocity received the $80,000 NSW Music Prize, which is presented to a neighborhood artist whose music had a big impression over the previous 12 months. Barkaa Huge Tidda took residence the $40,000 NSW First Nations Music Prize, which is awarded to a neighborhood First Nations act whose music had a big and significant impression during the last 12 months. Ninajirachi received the third prize, the $40,000 NSW Breakthrough Artist of the Yr, which celebrates an rising native artist who had “a groundbreaking 12 months.” It’s all organized by Sound NSW, the federal government’s devoted modern music growth workplace that gives advocacy, management, strategic initiatives, coverage growth, and funding to native artists.
