Local artists Poppi Kent and Josi Veneziano, who together form folk-inspired duo Chain Daisy, were today announced as inaugural recipients of the AHA Newcastle Hunter – Paul Woseen Memorial Music Grant.
The duo were among 40 local artists who applied for the grant program, reaffirming the strength of Newcastle’s emerging artists.
“We were blown away by the breadth of talent within the applications we received,” AHA Newcastle Hunter President Mick Starkey said.
“There were so many standouts, and for those of us on the selection committee, choosing just one recipient certainly meant our work was cut out for us. But inevitably, Poppi and Josi were the unanimous choice due to their unique blend of musical talent, lyrical composition, commitment and attitude.”
The selection committee was made up of six industry professionals, including Screaming Jets frontman and founding member Dave Gleeson who was impressed by the duo’s musical ability and maturity.
“Paul Woseen was a highly skilled songwriter who loved a great harmony and the two things that stood out for us when we listened to Chain Daisy’s application were the beautiful harmonies and songwriting skills beyond their years,” he said.
“This grant can go towards helping Poppi and Josi take their musical career to its next stage, and we’re stoked that in Paul’s name, The Screaming Jets can help them on that journey.”
For Poppi and Josi, the grant means they can finally record and release their original music.
“Josi and I are so grateful and still in shock and processing how much this is going to lift our music careers,” Kent said.
“We have been itching to get our music released and start taking our music more seriously. This grant is going to be so beneficial and life changing for us.
“We feel so lucky to have been gifted this prize and are so ready to make moves further in the Australian music scene.”
As part of the grant package, the duo will work closely with TAFE NSW to record their music as well as learn from industry mentors and artists. The grant also included $5,000 cash which the girls will use toward their goals of releasing an EP and touring.
Chain Daisy Bio
Josi Veneziano and Poppi Kent met at their orientation at the Conservatorium of Newcastle. After sharing interests and chats it became clear that they both had mirroring dreams to perform and write their own music. With hangouts involving guitars and harmonies the girls created their duo, Chain Daisy. The acoustic-folk duo, based in Newcastle are seamlessly working their way up in the local music scene. Since their inception, Chain Daisy have graced iconic local venues such as The Family Hotel, The Oriental Hotel, The Press Bookhouse, and Lovelanes Festival, as well as debuting Newcastle’s West best bloc Festival in 2022/2023. By taking both witchy indie originals and revamped covers to the stage, along with their enchanting harmonies in tandem with distinctive guitar lines, Chain Daisy leaves a mesmerising mark on their audiences. The girls aim to empower their audiences with their compositions inspired by themes of love, loss, family, relationships and at the very most, truth and hope their music inspires introspection to their audience’s own lives in a gentle and empowering tone.
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