Gympie Music Muster Talent Search Opens For 2023

The hunt is on for emerging artists to take to the stage, thanks to the 2023 NAB Gympie Music Muster Talent Search.

With more than 30 years of discovering the best singers, songwriters and musicians in the country under its belt, the Gympie Music Muster Talent Search will again be serving up artists you wish you’d discovered years ago.

Previous winners include multi-award winner Drew McAlister, Mark O’Shea from Nashville husband and wife duo O’Shea, 2015 Toyota Star Maker winner Mickey Pye and one-half of the Muster ambassadors, Brooke McClymont.

“I won the Gympie Muster Talent Search and that’s where I got signed, so The Gympie Muster is where it kickstarted it for me and the girls (The McClymonts),” McClymont said. 

“It’s a pretty special festival in my eyes and to do a completely full circle, going there to be in the talent search to now being the ambassadors is amazing. It’s one of our favourite festivals to do because we love the whole atmosphere of the place, it supports local artists and it’s something music fans need to put on their calendars.”

For last year’s open section winner, Brittany Elise, the win has also changed her life, meaning she has put aside her teaching career for the moment, while she focuses on music and prepares to head to Nashville.

“The Talent search gave me the chance to work with more people in the business who continue to help launch my career including festival organisers and play big festival stages that I potentially wouldn’t have experienced otherwise,” she said. “I’m heading to Nashville in less than a month which is very, very exciting and I’ll be writing, recording and networking with people in the industry over there.”

The North Queensland artist said the publicity and digital distribution that was included with her prize also helped to launch her music into new markets and that she’s grown as an artist through the opportunities from the competition.

“You definitely get out what you put into it; if you’re ready to win, then you can absolutely maximise it and then it’s your career and you can shape it,” Elise said. “Whether you win or not, you never know who is watching and everyone has entered because they’re worthy to win.”

Junior winner Sarah Savannah said the competition win gave her more performance opportunities and offered her personal brand more credibility.

“Meeting with Mothertone and talking to them about a few things gave me more confidence with my original songs and mentoring about what direction to go in,” she said. “Performing on main stage was a real thrill and my advice would be to convey your songs with emotion.”

Savannah said she looked forward to seeing everyone again at the Muster this year with a scheduled Muster Club performance ahead of her.

The total prize pool for both category winners in 2023 is $21,429 with highlights including a Nashville experience for the open winner with artist showcase performances, recording sessions and career-building activities, cash prizes, digital distribution, paid performances at major festivals, music equipment and mentoring.

This year, there is also a Mothertone Encouragement Award and all finalists win distribution and pitching from Noisehive.

Semi-finalists will perform on August 24, 25 and 26 with the grand final held on the Hill Stage on Sunday, August 27. Applications are now open until April 30th, 2023.

For more information and to apply, head to muster.com.au.