Entertainment
7 June, 2025
Ezekiel’s time to shine
DRIVEN by a passion for songwriting and a deep love for music, 20-year-old Innisfail local Ezekiel Stavrou has been named one of two artists selected nationwide for the prestigious NATSIMO Resonate songwriting program this June.
Mr Stavrou, who has released two songs on Spotify under the artistic name ‘Ryez’, has secured one spot in the coveted National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music Office’s (NATSIMO) Resonate four-day intensive songwriting program in Brisbane from June 10-13 where he’ll be working with artists like Dobby, Badassmutha, Zeppelin Hamilton, Sachém and producers like Anna Laverty and Pip Norman.
The selection came as a surprise to the young man who had actually been signed up for the program by a colleague who was inspired by his music journey.
“I had no idea that I was applying. A lady, who I do a bit of support work with, applied for me and I just received a text saying I was selected,” Mr Stavrou said.
“I didn’t even know what it was but she was so excited and it all caught me by surprise,” she said.
Now that the dream is a reality, Mr Stavrou wants to seize the opportunity to prove his talent to the producers he’ll be working with.
“I’m very stoked about being one of the two out of the whole of Australia and it’s a four-day trip, all paid, and I’ll be working with three producers. I’m hoping to work on my music and learn a lot of new things,” he said.
“I want to show the producers and writers the talent that I’ve got. I want for them not to think that I’m just another kid making songs. I want to show them that I have the talent and dedication and I want them to see that this kid can go places.”
The Indigenous teen began writing songs when he was just eight-years-old. Although he’s not musically trained, he has been finessing his songwriting skills since then and started recording his music at 16.
He describes music and songwriting as the source of his happiness, the escapism from the tough times and the hope for a better future.
“I write a lot about love and heartbreak which is something I experienced a lot as a teenager,” Mr Stavrou said.
“Music is therapy for me, I’ve been in a lot of dark places in my life and music, in particular, has been able to let me get stuff out of my chest, not only that, but show it to the world and it’s just a beautiful thing for the soul. Music means everything to me.”
For more information
on the Resonate
songwriting program, visit
