Brisbane electronic artist and producer Danny Harley (The Kite String Tangle) has been awarded the prestigious $25,000 Grant McLennan Fellowship for 2018. The announcement was made at a ceremony held in Brisbane on Wednesday 5 December, with special guests, artists, musicians, producers, partners and key music industry personnel in attendance.

APRA AMCOS Queensland Writer Services representative, Kellie Lloyd presented the award and congratulated Danny, along with fellow shortlisted finalists The Ironing Maidens, Gabriella Cohen and Spencer White. “Danny impressed the judges with his songwriting, his commitment to his craft and the manner in which he has established himself in Queensland’s creative community,” said Kellie. “The Grant McLennan Fellowship offers Queensland artists exciting and genuine professional development opportunities, with Danny set to immerse himself in the electronic music and arts scene in Berlin. We are excited to see Danny evolve the next phase of his musical career and development as a songwriter.”

Now in its 12th year, the Grant McLennan Fellowship honours the musical legacy of Grant McLennan and is jointly funded by the Queensland Government and APRA AMCOS. The award gives winners the chance to follow in Grant’s footsteps and live in New York, London or Berlin for up to six months for creative inspiration and career development. Judges Sally McLennan, musicians Adele Pickvance, Danny Widdicombe and music writer Sean Sennett noted the standard and calibre of applicants this year was extremely high. “This year, it was incredibly difficult to separate the nominees and pick one above the other. We felt that Danny most embodied the spirit of the Fellowship and we are excited to see him further develop as a songwriter and artist.”

2017 fellowship recipient Jeremy Neale said he approached songwriting in both formal and informal settings during his time in New York. “I completed a two week songwriting intensive at NYU, worked consistently with a piano teacher and arranged co-writing sessions with locals and international visitors. I also spent a lot of time with myself in reflection of my life, my writing and the future of my career in music”.

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