Sydney-based artist services agency Good Intent have unveiled the big winner of the fourth annual instalment of their ‘Greater Good’ independent artist initiative, with Meanjin/Brisbane-based teen sensation ixarus taking out this year’s eye-watering $30K prize pool.
Already a fixture of the Brisbane/Meanjin music scene with her Anti-Dismal event management, record label and distro project, this 18-year-old solo artist is also a DIY superstar. She first made national waves in 2023 when they were introduced as a finalist in triple j’s iconic Unearthed High competition, with her EP release the following year, 2024’s full lover fake friend, notching up over a million streams.
ixaras – ‘THIS CITY.’
In the live arena, ixaras has performed at a slew of huge national festivals including NYE On The Hill, Great Escape Tasmania and Sweet Relief, as well as supporting the likes of Grinspoon, Tyne-James Organ, Esha Tewari, and Aleksiah.
“With songwriting and performance talent in abundance, well beyond her years, ixaras is such a truly gifted artist with a clear-cut vision for her craft and future,” Good Intent spokesperson Rich Bridgeman comments. “So excited to see GG feed into her plans and to thrive in ’25 and beyond!”
Designed to provide a launchpad for exceptional emerging artists to kickstart their careers, Good Intent’s comprehensive philanthropic prize will see ixaras pocket $4K in cold hard cash, as well as a range of services from the the best music pro in the game to help turbo-boost her next release.
Said release is new single ‘THIS CITY.’, which arrived last week; a contemporary pop portrait of self-reinvention, laced with didgeridoo, soaring synths, purring percussion and the artist’s dreamy falsetto vocals.
“It’s about the pursuit of ambition, acknowledging what parts of yourself you’ve sacrificed along the way, such as the paranoia of being perceived, a love letter to the version of you that had to disappear so the world would take notice,” ixaras explains in a press statement.
She adds: “Being selected for the Greater Good Initiative has been a truly surreal experience. As an independent artist navigating the early stages of my career, having access to this kind of guidance and support is invaluable. Starting out in the music industry as a teenager without existing connections is incredibly challenging, so to be chosen for this opportunity means the world to me. I’m deeply grateful to Good Intent for believing in my potential. This year is shaping up to be an exciting one, and I can’t wait to share what’s coming next.”
You can take the film noir-inspired music video for ‘THIS CITY.’ for a spin up above.
Further Reading
ixaras Releases New Single ‘Fresh Figure’
Meet Your triple j Unearthed High Finalists For 2023
Good Intent’s Greater Good Initiative Returns With Whopping $30K Prize Pack For Emerging Artists
