The abundance of local talent in South Australia now have the opportunity to be recognised, with nominations for the 2017 South Australian Music Awards now open.
This year sees the awards divided into two categories: The People’s Choice Awards and The Peer-Voted Awards.
The People’s Choice Awards will host 12 genre-based awards, each presented with the support of a key South Australian business partner. Winners will be decided by a public vote, which is set to be opened in early August.
Deemed the most weighted awards of the night, The Peer-Voted Awards will be judged by a stellar lineup of 20 local and national industry experts, including those from Double J, AU Review and The Harbour Agency.
Among those on the judging panel is music director for local independent radio station Radio Adelaide Luke Penmen, who highlighted that being able to say that artists have won an award – or even been named as a finalist – is a huge help for their future.
"So much of the music industry is convincing strangers to listen to your music," he said.
In terms of what he is looking for in a winner, Penmen explained that he’s after "someone who’s done lots but clearly has a lot more coming up soon".
Reporting from inside the Australian music business since '94.
"For me, it’s gotta be artists who I like playing on-air, who I like listening to at home, who I know kills when playing live, and generally someone who seems to have a plan and a lot of momentum going on."
Previous SAM Awards winners include the Hilltop Hoods, Bad//Dreems, Tkay Maidza and A.B. Original.
South Australian artists and businesses can nominate themselves for this year’s awards online at www.southaustralianmusicawards.com.au/enter, with entries open until midnight Sunday 6 August.
The 2017 SAM Awards will be held in Adelaide on Thursday 9 November 2017. Full event details will be revealed next month, and awards for each category are listed below.
THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS
Blues/Roots Award - presented by Radio Adelaide
Country Award - presented by Grace Emily Hotel
Electronic Award - presented by Fresh 92.7
Experimental Award - presented by Ancient World
Folk Award - presented by Wheatsheaf Hotel
Heavy Award - presented by Australian Rock & Metal Institute
Hip Hop Award - presented by Northern Sound System
Jazz/Art Music Award - presented by Elder Conservatorium
Pop Award - presented by The Gov
Punk Award - presented by Crown & Anchor
Rock Award - presented by Fat Controller
World Music Award - presented by WOMADelaide
THE PEER-VOTED AWARDS
Best Studio
Best Engineer
Best Music Festival / Event - presented by moshtix
Best Music Venue
Best Manager
Best Cover Art
Best Music Video
Best Song - presented by APRA AMCOS
Best New Artist
Best Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island Artist
Best Group
Best Male Artist
Best Female Artist
Best Release
More from The Music Network
Reporting from inside the Australian music business since '94.
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