Amy Love and Georgia South - better known as Nova Twins - share insights into their roles as judges at the Youth Music Awards 2024 and the importance of uplifting young musicians.

London power punk duo Nova Twins have made waves with their genre-defying sound and unapologetic attitude. Since forming in 2014, Amy Love and Georgia South have broken down barriers in the music industry, combining punk, rock, and grime, proving a force to be reckoned with. Their 2022 album Supernova earned them critical acclaim, including a Mercury Prize nomination and two BRIT Award nods, cementing their status as trailblazers in alternative music.

 

As judges for the Youth Music Awards 2024, Amy and Georgia are passionate about supporting young, grassroots talent, having experienced firsthand the importance of early encouragement. Here, they discuss what excites them most about discovering new artists, the power of collaboration, and how they balance creativity with business. With a career built on DIY ethics and bold, self-expression, Nova Twins are here to inspire the next generation of musicians to break the mould.

What excites you most about being judges for the Youth Music Awards 2024?

Seeing the beginning of someone’s journey. It’s such an exciting time, and the possibilities are endless.

What will you be looking for when judging young, up-and-coming artists?

We’ll be looking for someone with uniqueness and a desire to develop their own sound! We want to hear something new, whether that be interesting sonics, captivating storytelling, or undeniable beats. However, they choose to express themselves, we’re looking for individuality and passion!

Why do you think it’s important to have awards that focus on grassroots music and young artists

The industry is like an ecosystem. If we want it to thrive, we need to nurture and support the next generation of artists. Without them, there is no future.

Can you share any moments from your own journey where grassroots support made a big difference?

Grassroots venues are so important to us. They are how we started on the scene. Playing a tonne of DIY club nights, punk festivals, gig swaps, and open mic nights within the community gave us the support and confidence to get to where we are today!

What role do you think social media and DIY platforms play in supporting grassroots music today?

Social media has made music more accessible to everyone. There was a time when artists had to rely solely on record labels to jumpstart their careers. Now, it’s amazing to see so many artists using tools like social media to grow their audience and take control of their careers.

How do you balance the creative side of music with the business side, and what advice would you give to young artists about this?

Sometimes it’s hard to balance the creative and business sides. It starts with choosing a great team around you, people you trust who believe in the music you’re making and the vision you want to create. When we write an album, we go into hibernation and buckle down in the studio. After it’s done, we start planning all the business aspects so we’re not distracted by outside noise during the creative process. As artists, we need to stay engaged with the business side, as it controls our livelihood and how well a record performs. We ensure we’re involved in all career-related discussions so we’re comfortable and secure in any situation we encounter.

Can you speak to the importance of collaboration between young artists and more established acts?

We experienced this firsthand. Amazing artists like Oli Sykes from Bring Me The Horizon and Tom Morello championed us early on, which made a huge difference in our careers. We always keep that in mind when picking our support acts or shouting out new artists we love and believe in. It’s important to pay it forward.

How do you think young artists can create lasting change in the music industry, particularly around issues of representation and diversity?

Young artists can use their platforms to keep pushing for more diversity and representation in the music industry. Collaborate with each other, and instead of competing, lift each other up and show support! There’s power in community, and without artists, there’s no music industry. So, use your voice to write your own script and make the music you want, regardless of your background.

What resources or platforms would you recommend to young artists looking to develop their careers?

There are so many resources out there. We find Logic great for creating music, and platforms like Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Spotify are essential for promotion. It really depends on what suits you. Also, artist grants are crucial. We received several grants that helped us make our first record and tour. PRS and the Music Export Growth Scheme are just a couple of great ones to explore.

How do you envision the future of UK music, and how can young artists contribute to that vision?

I envision a future where mainstream media isn’t afraid of alternative/rock music. Let’s see bands performing on primetime TV and mainstream radio. Let’s make touring more accessible for new bands by improving funding, and let’s protect and nurture grassroots venues, the birthplace of so many incredible artists and bands today. Young artists can contribute by demanding changes in the industry’s ecosystem. The youth of today need to have their needs met to carry on inspiring people with their music.