The 2025 winners and prizes for Australia’s rowdiest emerging music competition are in.
Needle In The Hay (NITH) has been shaking up the local scene since 2017, spotting new talent and sending them into the world with studio time, merch, and stacks of gear.
Past winners include Joan and the Giants, Spacey Jane, Tones & I, Maple Glider, and Kardajala Kirridarra – all of whom have gone on to make waves nationally and internationally.
Backed by Mullet Wines, Fresh Tees, Gordon Smith guitars and vinyl from the legends at Zenith Records, here are the artists and prizes for NITH 2025.
First Place – Wild Gloriosa
First place goes to Wild Gloriosa, with her track Lover Girl who courtesy of Mullet Wines, will get full studio time at Noise Machines — mixing, mastering, recording, the works, 250-copy vinyl pressing from Zenith Records, and Fresh Tees merch – plus a Heritage Custom Shop H-150 Gold Top guitar with case, Stringjoy strings, two handmade Atmos straps, the full Teisco Pedal Suite, Mojave MA-D mic, HIFIMAN ANANDA Stealth headphones, and a pair of Audio-Technica ATH-CK55TW.
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Second Place – Lemonsuckr
Second place goes to UK band Lemonsuckr, with Rarity Jacket taking home a custom Gordon Smith guitar, valued at AU$7,000 – a signature Gordon Smith built for stage and studio.
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Third Place – BADASSMUTHA
BADASSMUTHA, with Dizzy scores studio time at Noise Machines courtesy of Mullet Wines, Fresh Tees merch, Atmos straps, Stringjoy strings, Teisco overdrive and boost pedals, Mojave MA-D mic, HIFIMAN ANANDA Stealth headphones, and a pair of Audio-Technica ATH-CK55TW.
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Happy’s Pick – Hope D
Hope D, with the killer track Nails gets studio time at Noise Machines, thanks to Mullet Wines, Fresh tees merch, Audio-Technica ATH-CK55TW, Atmos straps, Stringjoy strings, and Teisco Fuzz and Delay pedals.
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Launched in 2024, Mullet Wines brings their “business at the front, party at the back” energy to NITH 2025, giving winners studio time to fully record and produce a single.
Fresh Tees supplies the merch to make these artists look as good as they sound, Meanwhile, Zenith Records rounds out the trio of major partners, pressing vinyl for the top winners and giving them a tangible, collectible piece of their achievement.
Needle In The Hay would not have been possible without the help of our partners.
Huge love to Zenith Records, Mullet Wines, Fresh Tees, Heritage Guitars, Gordon Smith, Teisco, Atmos, Audio Technica, HIFIMAN, Stringjoy, Mojave and Noise Machines for arming the winners with top-tier instruments and gear.
