Runner-up: Caitlin Harnett "Tying Hands and Holding Shoelaces"
2009 has been a busy year for delicate Sydney Singer/Songwriter Caitlin Harnett. Caitlin released her debut EP ‘Tiny Spark’ which was recorded with Matt Fell (Wes Carr, Paul Greene, Tania Bowra) at Love Hz studio. The independently released EP features five beautifully crafted original songs and a lilting version of the Johnny Cash and June Carter classic Jackson.
Caitlin is just 19 years old, but the maturity and credibility of her songwriting has quickly captured the attention of audiences and music industry insiders. Caitlin won the Young Songwriter Award at the Apollo Bay Music Festival and this year performed at the Port Fairy Folk Festival. After establishing a presence on the Sydney live scene with regular shows, Caitlin was signed to a publishing deal with Mushroom Music Publishing.
The EP has achieved great success with all five of her original songs being used in prime time Australian Commercial television programs. Another song will soon feature in an upcoming Australian film. Earlier this year Caitlin was shortlisted for the prestigious APRA Professional Development Awards and toured as support for Angie Hart, Karl Broadie, The Wildes, Paul Greene and The Huckleberry Swedes.
Caitlin has a natural stage presence that draws you in and a beautiful voice that compels you to listen. Her performances reveal a wisdom and warmth that belies her youth. Hard to categorise, her songs have the lilt of folk, the honesty of country, a touch of pop and suggests early-life exposure to somebody's really good record collection.