Aiming to inspire a new generation of regionally-raised rockers.
Australian rock heavy hitters DZ Deathrays have announced the launch of the DZ Deathrays: Positive Rising Grant, coming together with I OH YOU, Fender and The Artist Studio to help inspire regional Australian artists to pursue their musical ambitions.
Inspired by their own regional origins, the Positive Rising Grant was initiated by DZ Deathrays in the wake of the pandemic, with the band aiming to connect with young fans around the country in a way that would be meaningful to their own musical pursuits, regardless of their geographic location.
The grants, which will be awarded to three deserving young Australians based in regional communities, will come in the form of a Squier guitar and Fender amplifier, as well as a year’s worth of fortnightly guitar lessons from The Artist Studio.
Additionally, recipients will receive copies of the band’s LPs Positive Rising: Part 1 and Positive Rising: Part 2 on vinyl, as well as a limited-edition pack of guitar picks inspired by the bands.
We’re teaming up with @iohyouforever @Fender & The Artist Studio to give away free guitar rig packs to regional communities in Aus!! Hit https://t.co/8ExkQmBKxm to enter pic.twitter.com/icu6yb4Ds7
— DZ DEATHRAYS (@DZDEATHRAYS) March 9, 2021
“One of the biggest hurdles starting out in music for me as a teenager was just being able to afford quality equipment that was not only actually enjoyable to play but also capable of being used for a gig, or even just an amp loud enough for playing with a full band,” Simon Ridley, drummer of DZ Deathrays, said in a statement shared today.
“Growing up in a regional town, the quality and range of instruments available at the time was really limited. To be able to help people overcome that initial barrier and give someone the ability to jump straight into it is something I’m very grateful to be a part of.”
Fender Music Australia’s Heath Blows also stated that the company ‘couldn’t be more thrilled’ to partner with DZ Deathrays on the grants, saying that” Fender is committed to supporting new players all over Australia, and what better way to do this than equipping budding musicians with a Squier guitar and Fender amp.
“To start learning guitar with an instrument you love from day one can change everything, so we hope our contribution to this grant sets the recipients up for a lifelong obsession with music.”
To put your name in for consideration as a grant recipient, head to DZ Deathrays’ website and follow all the prompts to apply. Entries are open now and close at 11am AEDT on Wednesday March 31, with winners being announced on or before Friday, April 23.
DZ Deathrays’ new album Positive Rising: Part 2 arrives later in July this year. Revisit our review of Positive Rising: Part 1 here.
Enter for the Positive Rising Grant here, and find out more via the DZ Deathrays website.
