Pace, the flute-wielding hardcore band based mostly in Sydney, Australia, have received the inaugural New South Wales Music Prize, taking house the whopping AU$80,000 reward on the power of their debut album, 2024’s Solely One Mode. The state authorities launched the NSW Music Prize final 12 months as a part of a 10-year plan to assist native musicians amidst an more and more aggressive market, noting how streaming platforms prioritize worldwide artists over native acts. Pace beat Ninajirachi, Rüfüs Du Sol, 3%, Barkaa, Kobie Dee, Onefour, Occasion Dozen, Shady Nasty, and Vv Pete & Utility for the respect.
“In 2025, we now have an entire new era of wonderful youngsters all around the nation making Sydney and Australian hardcore the sickest it’s ever been,” Pace mentioned throughout their acceptance speech. “With that being mentioned, this award belongs to them—the folks round us who make it what it’s—and we’ll take a while to consider the easiest way we are able to pay that ahead to continue to grow this the correct method.”
Solely One Mode has loads of harsh beatdowns, as to be anticipated in hardcore, however Pace additionally incorporate quite a few surprising components into their sound, the obvious of which is a trilling flute—as heard on their viral single “The First Take a look at.” Vocalist Jem Siow, guitarists Joshua Clayton and Dennis Vichidvongsa, bassist Aaron Siow, and drummer Kane Vardon take delight in bringing a contemporary contact to punk whereas upholding an earnest authenticity.
This previous summer time, Pace joined Turnstile’s enormous North American tour as openers. As with Pace’s personal headlining exhibits, singer Jem Siow gave speeches onstage throughout that run in regards to the significance of inclusivity within the hardcore scene, talking out towards anti-Asian racism, and addressing the male suicide epidemic. He additionally typically mentioned how enjoying music collectively in a band along with his brother and mates makes life’s difficulties rather less daunting.
New South Wales’ authorities allocates AU$160,000 for the brand new annual music prize, which is then break up into three classes. Pace received the AU$80,000 NSW Music Prize, which is presented to an area artist whose music had a big influence over the previous 12 months. Barkaa Massive Tidda took house the AU$40,000 NSW First Nations Music Prize, which is awarded to an area First Nations act whose music had a big and significant influence over the past 12 months. Ninajirachi received the third prize, the AU$40,000 NSW Breakthrough Artist of the Yr, which celebrates an rising native artist who had “a groundbreaking 12 months.” It’s all organized by Sound NSW, the federal government’s devoted up to date music growth workplace that gives advocacy, management, strategic initiatives, coverage growth, and funding to native artists.
