From Hillston, a star is born.
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Just a few months ago, Curtis Kennedy – aka Kuren – made the decision to leave his home town in pursuit of his musical dream.
Now that decision has already paid off.
After a nationwide hunt by Triple J to find an Indigenous artist to play at this year’s National Indigenous Music Awards, the 18-year-old electronic music prodigy reigned supreme.
“I was not expecting it at all,” Kennedy said.
“It’s a very humbling feeling and I feel very blessed.”
Past winners of this prize include Thelma Plum, Philly and Zane Francis.
“I feel like it’s fate, just meant to be,” Kennedy said.
“It’s a really cool feeling to be put where these people once were.”
While his rise might seem sudden to some, it’s been coming for a while.
“About three years ago, I was just making music for fun and playing around with a few things,” Kennedy said.
“I then found Ta-ku and his music really inspired me and I definitely thought ‘this is what I want to do with my life’.”
To leave behind friends and family was never going to be an easy one.
Kennedy said the support from those closest to him had never wavered.
“Everyone has been super supportive,” he said.
“They all knew where my head was at and how switched on I am.
“It was probably a bit hard for mum and dad to see me go, but there just weren’t the opportunities in Hillston that I wanted and needed.
“When my family all heard the news, they all started sharing the article and mum and dad were really stoked about it.”
You’d be forgiven for thinking he might be a bit nervous about the upcoming performance.
That’s far from his mindset though.
“More excited than anything,” Kennedy said.
“I’m excited to be able to get up and perform my music and spread my sound over the country.”
Artists such as AB Original, Kahl Wallis and Emma Donovan will also be performing on the first Saturday in August as the boy from Hillston looks to show the country what he’s made of.
