Winning $20 on a scratchie seems like an incredible achievement, but just think how it would feel winning $15,000 worth of opportunities to further your musical career? Loren Kate was luckily one of the few to find out after entering the Telstra Road to Discovery, a brilliant opportunity for musicians open now.
Hi Loren, thanks for taking the time to catch up with Forte Magazine, how are you and what are you up to at the moment?
I’ve actually been out bush in the Northern Territory for the last three weeks having some down time with my kids and good friends who live up there. I tried hard not to do any work while I was there but somehow I managed to write a grant application and book some shows for my upcoming EP launch tour…. So it wasn’t exactly a holiday.
So the Telstra Road to Discovery is back up again, which you were involved in last year, how did you find it?
Entering the Telstra Road to Discovery program was the best career decision I have ever made. The Telstra Road team are such an amazing group of people to work with, and no matter how far you make it in the program, you learn an incredible amount of useful information.
What’s the most important thing you’ve taken away from the experience?
The most important thing for me has been learning to find the balance between your music and your career. Both need your attention, and without both there’s a chance you’ll go unheard.
And while it is essentially a competition it is quite different from those you see on TV, what sets the Telstra Road to Discovery apart from other competitions?
For starters, Telstra Road is a program for original songwriters and it aims to help you make a sustainable career out of your music. I don’t feel that any of the reality TV shows have that goal, not that I’ve really watched them, I haven’t had a TV for 10 years.
Why is it so important for emerging musicians to take the time to enter the competition?
Telstra Road is such an informative, hands on program. It’s honest and run by a team of people that love seeing emerging artists follow their passions. And most of all, it’s FUN!
You’ve said that music is a huge part of your life, how would your world look if music wasn’t a key part of what you do?
I’m scared to think about that, it would be pretty dark. I use music as a therapeutic tool. All my songs are so honest and personal, without music I’d be paying some serious psychology bills!… Or I’d be living out bush, growing kids up on the land.
And how have you found your progression in the industry has changed since entering the competition?
Since Telstra Road to Discovery I have recorded a new EP due for release in October, I’ve made a film clip and I’m booking a follow up tour to the EP’s release at the moment. All of these things I probably wouldn’t have done this year if I didn’t have Telstra Road behind me. I have just had a baby and was planning on taking it easy – I’m now discovering I can do plenty of things with a baby strapped to my back! Bring it on I say!
Would you say after attending the competition you’ve ‘discovered’ yourself as an artist?
I think I’m always discovering who I am as an artist. It will be a life long process.
Thanks again for having the chat with us, are there any last words of wisdom you’d like to share with our readers?
Just to be yourself and go easy on yourself.
The Telstra Road to discovery competition is open until August 23, simply follow the three easy steps on the website to enter.
