Before starting the alternative pop project Sycco, Sasha McLeod dreamed big.
In Grade 12, the precocious Brisbane artist recorded an album of her own. "All of my friends were making EPs and I just wanted to one-up them and do an album," Sasha laughs."It was my competitiveness shining through. I mastered it through a website, and it has glitches all throughout it. It's awesome!"
After that big step, Sasha is now making giant leaps.
This year has seen Sycco release her debut EP, the emerging star gaining industry acclaim for her psychedelic-infused take on pop music including winning a Levi's Music Prize, taking home the Queensland Music Awards' Song Of The Year for her single 'Dribble', and receiving a bunch of National Indigenous Music Awards nominations.
These achievements have also allowed Sasha to learn a lot about the music industry; and now she'll be passing along her wisdom – as a co-curator – to other big dreamers at the inaugural BLAKSOUND conference and showcase.
Presented by Digi Youth Arts and Vyva Entertainment, and supported by QMusic and BIGSOUND, BLAKSOUND is a music industry conference designed for young First Nations artists and creatives offering attendees a range of workshops, panels, and keynote speakers.
Due to the pandemic, the event this year will take place virtually, increasing accessibility across the country, reflecting how integral the internet has become to navigate the industry, which reflects Sasha's own experiences.
"Everything has been on a phone screen or a laptop screen," she says. "I don't know what it would be like without COVID, but it's been really affirming of what I'm doing and just nice to see progress in things that I've dreamt of happening."
Under the guidance of BLAKSOUND artistic director Alethea Beetson, Sasha is co-curating the event with singer-songwriter Jem Casser-Daly (daughter of Troy), rapper DOBBY, and indie musician Loki Liddle.
The foursome have selected an impressive line-up of up-and-coming First Nations talent (including Baker Boy, Alice Skye, Ziggy Ramo and Christine Anu) to present a wide range of panel discussions and keynotes, with some names generating extra excitement for Sasha.
"It's so awesome that we've got so many people [involved] that we've dreamt of," she says. "I'm very excited for Barkaa.
"She's a rapper with really fun raps and really upbeat and fun. They've been really fun in lockdown to dance to. I'd love to hear their story of being in the music industry so far.
"Emily Wurramara is also excellent. I've been in touch with her for quite some time, since I started making music, and she's always been so lovely and beautiful."
As a co-curator Sasha has unearthed a lot of significance with her involvement with BLAKSOUND.
She has recently begun connecting with her Torres Strait Islander heritage through her granny, who is from Erub Island, and hopes this understanding will help her guide the future of First Nations music.
"I knew throughout high school [about my heritage], but I didn't fully appreciate it and understand what it meant," she says.
"I think that I'm now understanding that it is something to be proud of. I really, really want to go [to Torres Strait Islands].
"I was learning about the totems up there; they're so beautiful I almost cried when I saw them."
While the beginning of 2021 has been huge for Sasha, the rest of the year should be even bigger. Alongside a headlining tour in support of her debut EP, Sasha says there could be more Sycco music before the end of the year.
As our conversation wrapped up, Sasha teased she was going to a virtual writing session with former Papa Vs Pretty frontman Thomas Rawle, who now performs under the name Dreller.
"It's really awesome for people to see more of the Sycco world," she says. "It's exciting."
BLAKSOUND is free to register (with payment options available for those who can) and will be held on the Swapcard platform on 6-8 September.
Sycco 2022 Tour Dates
Sun 5 Sep - Springtime (Yugambeh, Kombumerri - Gold Coast)Fri 10 Sep - Solbar (Kabi Kabi - Sunshine Coast)
Sat 11 Sep - The Zoo (Turrball, Jagera and Yuggera - Brisbane)
Fri 24 Sep - Jive Bar (Kaurna Land - Adelaide)
Sat 25 Sep - Jack Rabbit Slims (Whadjuk, Nyoongar Nation - Perth)
Fri 1 Oct - Oxford Art Factory (Gadigal Land - Sydney)
Sat 2 Oct - The Shy Postie (Dharawal Country - Wollongong)
Thu 14 Oct - Torquay Hotel (Wadawurrang Country - Torquay)
Fri 15 Oct - The Corner Hotel (Kulin Lands - Melbourne)
Sat 16 Oct - The Eastern (Wadawurrang Country - Ballarat)
