RTÉ 2fm
SOAK announced as European Border Breakers Award winner live on RTÉ 2fm
WATCH: https://youtu.be/gzm0xxKBDuMThe Derry-born singer performs live on The Nicky Byrne Show with Jenny Greene
This morning on RTÉ 2fm’s Nicky Byrne Show with Jenny Greene, Derry-born singer-songwriter SOAK was announced as the Irish winner of the European Border Breaker Awards (EBBA), the European music awards for emerging artists.
The EBBA winners are closely watched by music industry heavyweights and is considered by many as a indicator of the next big things in music. Past winners include Adele, Emeli Sandé, Hozier, Mumford & Sons and The Script.
SOAK is the alter ego of singer-songwriter Bridie Monds-Watson. She is only 19 but she already knows what she wants in life: to make music. She was barely out of school when she released her acclaimed debut album, ‘Before We Forget How To Dream’ through the music label Rough Trade. Despite her age, SOAK radiates maturity on a collection which showcases the beauty of her intimate, folk-tinged vocals.
‘Before We Forgot How to Dream’ is a snapshot of SOAK’s formative years, growing up in Northern Ireland, touching on themes of isolation, the joys and fears of adolescence, family troubles and the future. Already compared with the likes of Laura Marling and Beach House, SOAK has been a rising star in her hometown of Derry since the age of 14.
Long-term success already seems assured: as well as performing solo at venues including London’s Union Chapel, she has recently toured with indie folk act Bombay Bicycle Club, collaborated with Scottish electronic band Chvrches, and has also been nominated for the 2015 Mercury Prize for album of the year in the UK and Ireland.
SOAK says: “It’s a real honour to be getting an EBBA, I’ve played a lot throughout Europe in the last couple of years and just finished a six week long headline tour. I love playing live and it’s great to get the recognition for this. I can’t wait to go back to Eurosonic in January.”
Europe’s cultural and linguistic diversity is a strong part of its cultural appeal, but linguistic barriers sometimes make it harder for artists to work internationally and achieve cross-border sales success. The EBBA seek to help them overcome these obstacles.
The EBBA seek to break down borders and recognize emerging European rock, pop and dance artists who achieved success in countries other than their own. These unique European music awards are funded under the European Union (EU) Creative Europe programme. With the EBBA, the European Union wishes to highlight the success of 10 debuting European artists in selling albums and touring outside their home territory.
Peter Smidt of EBBA says: “SOAK is another great example of a young European artist crossing borders in Europe. It’s great that her success is awarded with an EBBA.”
The winners will receive their awards in a ceremony hosted by TV personality and musician Jools Holland at the Eurosonic Noorderslag festival in the Netherlands on the 13th of January 2016. The ceremony will feature performances from the winning acts.
One of the winners will receive a Public Choice Award based on votes cast on the EBBA website from the end of November until Christmas. People in Ireland who cast their vote will be entered into a draw to win a trip to Groningen in the Netherlands to attend both the Eurosonic Noorderslag Festival (13 – 16th January 2016) and the EBBA ceremony (13th January 2016). The winner will be able to bring a friend and the prize includes their flight and hotel costs.
2fm has already announced Westmeath band The Academic as its choice to represent Ireland at the Eurosonic Noorderslag festival in January. More announcements to come.
ENDS
Issued: Friday 13th November 2015
For more information:
Sheena Madden
Press Officer, RTÉ Radio
+353 87 245 8046
Websites:
For details of 2fm’s involvement with EBBA and Eurosonic visit www.rte.ie/2fm/eurosonic
EBBA website: www.ebba-awards.eu
Downloads:
EBBA logo: http://www.europeanborderbreakersawards.eu/en/media/logo/
Copyright free photos of previous EBBA editions: http://www.europeanborderbreakersawards.eu/en/media/fotos/
Social media:
Facebook: EBBA.Awards | 2fmofficial | Soak0fficial
Twitter: @ebba_awards | @RTE2fm | @SOAKofficial
Instagram: Ebba_awards | RTE2fm | SOAKofficial