Sydney indie-pop act The Holidays have scored the AMP's Red Bull Award for Best Debut Release.
The band have been carving out a name for themselves with sweet, percussive soul-inflected indie pop, and have been rewarded for their debut album Post Paradise.
The Red Bull Award is part of the Australian Music Prize, and is worth $15,000 in flights and accommodation and a stay in the Red Bull studio in Santa Monica.
It’s chosen by AMP founder Scott Murphy and Red Bull’s Tom Sigelski from a list selected by a panel of judges.
Singer and guitarist of the Holidays, Simon Jones, said in a statement, “So many great debut albums have come out in 2010 that we feel truly honoured to receive the Red Bull award. This award is a really important boost for us at the start of what we're hoping will be a big year in Australia and overseas.”
Previous winners of the Best Debut Release include Goyte, Bluejuice, Jack Ladder and Oh Mercy.
The Red Bull Award is a precursor to the Australia Music Prize. The shortlist will be announced on February 2 and the award itself handed out on March 3.
