Newcastle folk-pop duo Chain Daisy release their debut single on Friday after winning the inaugural Paul Woseen Memorial Music Grant earlier this year.
Poppi Kent and Josi Veneziano will be joined by a band at The Stag & Hunter Hotel in Mayfield on November 1 to perform their single, Daisies, and a set of original songs.
The Australian music scene was rocked by the death of Woseen, a founding member of legendary Newcastle rock band The Screaming Jets, last year at the age of 56.
Bass guitarist Woseen and frontman Dave Gleeson were the only original members remaining in the pub rock band that achieved global success in the early '90s with their debut album All For One (1991) and single Better.
Woseen wrote or co-wrote many of the Jets' most famous tracks including Shine On, Stop The World and Helping Hand.
The annual AHA Newcastle Hunter - Paul Woseen Memorial Music Grant was established to help the next crop of Newcastle musicians. Grant recipients receive $5000, the chance to record an original single at Hunter TAFE's studio, an official single launch event with a publicist and mentor sessions with industry professionals.
"His loss is one that was, and continues to be, felt far and wide. It is widely known that he was a mentor to many young artists, and as a result, undoubtedly fostered the success of numerous careers," AHA Newcastle Hunter president Mick Starkey told the Newcastle Herald in February.
"That's something we feel should be perpetuated in his memory."
Since being awarded the grant in May, Ms Kent and Ms Veneziano have been working closely with TAFE Newcastle's head of music Lee Rolfe to record the new single.
"Our recording sessions and first experiences in the studio with Lee have definitely been a highlight of the grant package," Ms Veneziano said.
"We are learning so much and he has been a great mentor throughout this process."
Ms Kent says Daisies holds a lot of meaning for the duo, who penned the song in her bedroom during her first year in Newcastle.
"I knew it had potential, but the song felt unfinished until Chain Daisy came together," she said.
"One afternoon, Josi played a bright and uplifting chord progression, and suddenly the song blossomed into something new.
"As one of our first collaborations, Daisies quickly became a favourite in our live shows, and we've loved seeing the connection it sparks with our audience.
"Two years later, we are beyond excited to finally share it with the world."
Over the past few months, as part of the grant package, Ms Kent and Ms Veneziano have had the opportunity to perform at major events and participate in mentoring sessions with some of Australia's biggest names, including Baby Animals frontwoman Suze DeMarchi.
"This grant has provided us with amazing opportunities that we never expected to happen so soon," Ms Veneziano said.
"The opportunity to perform for the opening of the City of Newcastle's New Annual Festival was an incredible experience, and we have also gained a lot of insight and wisdom from mentoring sessions with Harbour Agency head agent Tony Grace and singer Suze DeMarchi."
Chain Daisy also opened for The Fabulous Caprettos this month at the Toronto Hotel.
"This is something we are really looking forward to having at The Stag & Hunter," Mr Starkey said of the November 1 launch night.
"It's a fantastic celebration of local artistry and, given we launched the grant program at the Stag, having Chain Daisy debut their single on the same stage feels really cohesive."
Special guests on the night include Auntie Alan and Mishayla. Doors open at 7pm. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at stagandhunter.oztix.com.au.
