Back in May we announced Needle In The Hay, our very own vinyl competition. With a grand prize of 250 vinyl pressings from Zenith Records and a slew of backup prizes designed to give new artists a shot in the arm, it was easily our biggest comp ever.
After listening to hundreds of submissions we narrowed it down to 20 finalists, which were then offloaded to our guest judges Magoo, Julia Wilson and Jake Stone. They’ve deliberated, and now we couldn’t be more proud to present the winners.
We’re stoked to announce the winners of Needle in the Hay 2017, our first inaugural vinyl competition.
Grand Prize – 250x 12″ Pressings from Zenith Records – Kardajala Kirridarra
The self-titled, debut LP from Kardajala Kirridarra came out on top, earning the only perfect 10 score from any of our judges.
A group of four women based in the Marlinja and Elliott communities in Northern Territory, Kardajala Kirridarra blend modern production techniques with traditional vocals, bringing the age-old sound of NT to the rest of the world.
Thanks to the legends at Zenith Records, they will soon be receiving 250 copies of their album on 12 inch vinyl with full colour packaging, valued at $3,000.
Look out for this one in record stores!
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Second Prize – Audio-Technica Studio Microphone – Noire
Noire threw in their upcoming LP Some Kind of Blue to Needle in the Hay, coming in at a very close second. Based in Sydney, these reverb-drenched newcomers have been hitting all the right notes from day one, and we were more than stoked to see their name pop up in the list of submissions.
They’ll be taking home an AT4050-Urushi Microphone from Audio-Technica, valued at $1,999.
Some Kind of Blue is out September 29th. Obviously, we recommend you check it out.
Third Prize – JBL Speaker and Headphone Packs – Raindrop
A slinky, yet-to-be-released album from Raindrop claimed the double speaker and headphone pack from JBL. Do keep an ear out!
These psychedelic wayfarers headed by Miles DeVine were also one of the bands who played at our Needle In The Hay Party and believe us, they’re something to be witnessed live.
The rest of our winners will receive a single mastering package at Sydney studio Enmore Audio. Suss them out!
Runner Up Prize – dave
The band of Newcastle blokes named dave earned themselves a prize for their 2017 EP YOCH! Bangers Vol. 1. Check it out below.
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Runner Up Prize – Egoism
It’s Wearing Off, the EP released in February by Egoism, also cracked the top 10. If you haven’t already done so, we recommend diving in.
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Runner Up Prize – Empat Lima
Empat Lima’s new, unreleased album was a favourite from our first listen, and obviously a favourite of our judges’ too. Listen to a cut from the record, Passage To The Golden Sky, below.
Runner Up Prize – Foreign/National
Melbourne favourites Foreign/National submitted their damn fine Dépaysement EP to Needle in the Hay. Released back in February, it’s absolutely worth a listen.
Runner Up Prize – Haiku Hands
Damn, what a find this was. Haiku Hands may only have one single to their name so far, but it’s perfect. Big things are coming from this camp.
Runner Up Prize – indi
After being asked about it roughly a million times, we decided to open up Needle In The Hay to New Zealand. We’re glad we did, because otherwise we never would have heard indi’s debut album Precipice.
Hear the lead single below, and keep an eye out for the album’s release this Friday September 22.
Runner Up Prize – Nick Nuisance & the Delinquents
Sydney inner west troublemakers Nick Nuisance & The Delinquents took home the final mastering pack. These group of swashbucklers are alumni from our Issue 4 launch party, and one of the rowdiest live acts we’ve ever witnessed.
The EP that they submitted, Cheap Things, is out now.
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Thanks to everyone who entered Needle In The Hay this year, you made it a pleasure. And an extra big congratulations to our other finalists ADKOB, Angharad Drake, Games Night, Mezko, NEIGHBOURHOOD VOID, Okin Osan, Rackett and Yon Yonson.
Thanks to Zenith Records, Audio-Technica, JBL, Young Henrys and Enmore Audio for making the competition awesome.
Needle In The Hay will return!
