Astro Travellers Win $10,000 Hilltop Hoods Initiative

Brisbane-based seven-piece genre-benders Astro Travellers have taken out the 2016 Hilltop Hoods Initiative, presented in partnership with APRA AMCOS and worth $10,000.

Following up their recent win at the Queensland Music Awards, where they claimed the honours for Best Urban Song for their track Move Actively, the septet will use the funds for the mastering, manufacturing and promotion of their forthcoming debut studio album. The prize also encompasses legal advice from Media Arts Lawyers and a merchandising start-up kit from Love Police/Australian Tour Merchandising.

"We are absolutely stoked to be the recipients of the 2016 Hilltop Hoods Initiative," member Rohan Seekers said in a statement. "It means a lot for Astro Travellers to be recognised by those who have done so much for hip hop in this country.

"We have been working hard this year, and receiving this prize will only motivate us to work harder to make the music the best it can be. Funding from the Initiative will make our vision for our next release a reality, and I think it will still feel surreal when we’re holding the wax in our hands."

The 2016 Hilltop Hoods initiative is the 11th such prize to have been awarded to an ascendant Australian artist, with previous winners including the likes of Sarah Connor, Jimblah, Chelsea Lane, I AM D and RUNFORYOURLIFE. The latest instalment continues APRA AMCOS' history of lending support to up-and-coming acts, head of member services Dean Ormston said.

"APRA AMCOS is invested in the future of music, and partnering with Hilltop Hoods to deliver the Initiative is one way we can give emerging songwriters a leg-up," Ormston explained. "Astro Travellers clearly have a huge amount of talent, and we can't wait to hear more from them."

As Hilltop Hoods member Suffa echoed in a statement, Astro Travellers are a more than worthy addition to the prize's hall of fame.

"We're so happy that Astro Travellers have taken out the Initiative this year," he said. "The band have a ridiculously soulful sound that takes me back to late-'90s West Coast hip hop, but somehow manages to sound fresh and new.
 
"As always, thanks to our judges who year after year generously commit their time and effort in order to support emerging artists, and of course thanks to our partners at APRA AMCOS who have been so supportive of the hip hop community in Australia."