Dua Lipa, Halsey, Olivia Rodrigo: what do they all have in common? They all participated in Ones to Watch, Live Nation’s music discovery platform, before they became truly global names.
Following their Ones to Watch performance, Rolling Stone AU/NZ caught up with all three artists to get to know them and their music better, which you can read below.
STUMPS
Rolling Stone AU/NZ: How do you believe a platform like Live Nation’s Ones to Watch can help emerging artists expand their presence?
It can be such a great opportunity because you just never know who might be in the room and watching you for the first time at an event like this. We were getting the run down from a friend before the show about how many global superstars got their start on Ones to Watch and some of the names on that list were bonkers. A nice way to add some pressure before the set!
How does knowing you’re performing for a room of industry and potential newcomers to your music, such as this, alter your approach to the live show (if it does)? Does your song selection change?
It normally does — just because the set length is often shorter. Doing these more industry and showcase type events often means packing as many of our favourite songs into a 20 or 30 minute set. When we play a headliner, it means we get to play more of our catalogue and take some longer breaks between songs haha.
What has it meant for you to be part of this event in Sydney, and what is one thing you’re looking forward to next?
For it to be Sydney-based meant that it was familiar straight away. The event was at one of our favourite venues, hosted by friends, and we met a bunch of lovely people. Overall, it was just a great night. In terms of things that we’re looking forward to next, we’re really excited to head out on our headline tour, which kicks off in July. We’re playing a ton of dates all over the country in support of our new single “Life’s Moving Past You”.
When it comes to new art and the direction you’re heading in, what’s exciting you the most about the band’s immediate future?
We are just excited to show people more and more of what we have been working on. A few of the recordings we have in the back pocket at the moment are some of the most honest and fun songs we have ever made, so getting to show them to everyone and play them at some festivals in the next few months is really exciting us at the moment.
Sam McGovern
How do you believe a platform like Live Nation’s Ones to Watch can help emerging artists expand their presence?
Just from my experience alone – the opportunity to even have my name backed by such a renowned platform of is huge! Other than all the new industry contacts and relations I’ve developed during the process and campaign, the event itself was so amazing to be a part of! It really felt like my opportunity to present myself in front of the Australian music industry and give them a reason to believe in “Sam McGovern” as much as I do. I’m here to make some noise and believe that luck is an outcome of when preparation meets opportunity.
How does knowing you’re performing for a room of industry and potential newcomers to your music, such as this, alter your approach to the live show (if it does)? Does your song selection change?
This knowledge definitely influenced me to put a lot of thought into my set – with only 20 minutes to show the room that I’ve got what it takes, I was sure to perform my best material. I chose four songs, all of which have been an outcome of recent writing involving a new perspective on melody and song structure.
Honestly, my music career is the most impactful and meaningful part of my life. I have sacrificed so much to get to where I am now and with such passion behind what I do, this felt like a huge career changing opportunity for me – especially with a room full of Australian music industry heavy hitters.
Before the set, I reminded myself to stay relaxed, calm, grounded and confident! The realisation of how much this meant to me upon stepping out on stage hit me, it was a thrilling feeling! I never usually get nervous performing, but this time I felt a few nerves creeping up!
I guess I relate this to those first date experiences with that person you’ve had a crush on for so long, you want them so badly. But as an outcome of that passion, you’re sure to have nerves creep up, it’s a humbling and grounding thing!
What has it meant for you to be part of this event in Sydney, and what is one thing you’re looking forward to next?
It’s meant more to me than I expected! This was my first ever “proper” performance in Sydney since moving here a month ago. I have been busking 2-3 times a week since moving here, so to be given the opportunity to perform on stage for Ones to Watch, I am immensely grateful!
I am always sure to keep moving, to have something in the horizon to look forward to, that being a whole new EP releasing very soon. It embodies my best work and I’ve never felt prouder about anything else before. I told myself to go away and write/record an EP full of only 10s, and I’m confident that we’ve done just that!
It has been a big year for people discovering your music and tuning in – how do you manage to stay grounded knowing how quickly momentum is picking up around you?
It sure has felt that way! It’s weird to see numbers around me growing so rapidly, especially my socials. To be honest, though, even after being exposed to internet virality, I feel it changes the people around you more than it changes you. I am very grateful for my upbringing, my parents taught me to never take anything for granted. Life has so many ups and downs and it’s impossible to expect to always be on an upwards trend.
Something that has really kept me grounded lately is busking. For the most part – when performing on the streets you are nameless and the only thing that attracts people to your music is the talent and passion you portray, this keeps me on my toes.
Honestly, no matter how far I progress in my career, I will always stay Sam, a curly headed boy from Western Australia who gets overexcited, loves making a fool out of himself and is just a guy who enjoys nothing more than writing, recording and sharing songs to the world about my own life, with hopes to bring joy & healing to others.
Lola Scott
How do you believe a platform like Live Nation’s Ones to Watch can help emerging artists expand their presence?
Platforms like Live Nation’s Ones to Watch play a crucial role in supporting emerging artists and helping them expand their presence. These platforms provide exposure to a wider audience, including industry professionals and music enthusiasts who are actively seeking out new talent.
How does knowing you’re performing for a room of industry and potential newcomers to your music, such as this, alter your approach to the live show (if it does)? Does your song selections change?
I tried my best to just treat it like a regular show and not think of who’s in the room. I did feel a bit nervous before the show, but as soon as I spotted my friends up the front singing along to my unreleased tracks it was easier to forget about where I am. I loved getting a chance to showcase my unreleased tracks and show the new era of Lola Scott and the direction I’m heading in.
What has it meant for you to be part of this event in Sydney, and what is one thing you’re looking forward to next?
We do have a great sense of community in Sydney, especially in the pop/alt-pop scene. I was very flattered to be selected for this event as I know many friends and fellow musicians who are underrated and I’d love to see them get similar opportunities. I’m really looking forward to releasing all the new music that I’ve been performing and can’t wait to go on tour with Teenage Dads later this year.
Your music has been diversifying in recent releases, which is really exciting to watch. What type of influences are driving you at the moment?
What I listen to and love is always changing and I love exploring that in my music. I don’t feel bound by genre, which is really freeing and gives me an opportunity to keep evolving as an artist. In saying that, I do feel like my next body of work has the most cohesive sound of my career so far. I’m lucky that so far everyone has been supportive and my audience continues to grow with me. I’ve always been influenced by folk for the storytelling and then it’s fun for me to add grunge and alt-rock guitar elements in the production and performance.
