WAM unveils first round of judges for Song of the Year

WA’s peak music association WAM has unveiled the first round of judges for its Song of the Year 2016/17 competition.

It offers all WA talent the chance to enter by Thursday February 9 and be in the running to land $40,000 worth of prizes.

These include producing and recording sessions, publishing deals, a festival slot, radio plugs and music equipment.

The first 17 of 44 judges have been announced, covering all sectors of the biz. From WA are musicians Adam Trainer, Debaser, Marisa De Vattimo, and Minky Gardner.

Industry names include Matthew de la Hunty (North Metropolitan TAFE), Scott Adam (North Metropolitan TAFE), Tony King (South Regional TAFE), Phaedra Watts (Nannup Music Festival), Jacob Snell (Monster Management), producer Ken Young and Laurent Shervington (Rotunda Media).

Influential community radio station RTRFM is represented by Caitlin Nienaber, Chris Wheeldon, Jose Neves, David Redding, Matthew Tomich, Vanessa Phillips, Holly Doll, Will Backler and Rhian Todhunter.

Other media figures are Chris Havercroft (X-Press), Ashryn Romaro (ex-fasterlouder), Troy Mutton (Pilerats) and Daniel Cribb, Kane Sutton and Lukas Murphy from the WA operations of themusic.com.au.

From the East Coast are Clive Hodson (Perfect Pitch Publishing – NSW), Damian Cunningham (Live Music Office – NSW), Rob Scott (Source Music – NSW), Adam Weston (Firestarter Music – Qld), Andrew Fuller (Clearview Legal Counsel – Vic), Chris Maric (Maric Media – NSW), Christina Ballico (Griffith University – Qld), Henry Compton (The Orchard – NSW), Marcus Thaine and Tom Mee (Spotify – NSW), Moira McKenzie (Sanicki Lawyers – Vic), Janelle Morse (Morse Code PR – NSW), Rebecca Young (Collective Artists – NSW), Zac Abroms (Viceroyalty – Vic) and Jayde Smith (YouthFocus) Sydney.

The first of the three judges from outside Australia are Alexis Courtin (Parenthèses Records – Belgium), UK musician Emily Barker and Nevin Domer (Far Out Distant Sounds – China).

WAM’s continued partnership with the City of Fremantle will see the awards held Wednesday May 17 for the first time at the WA Maritime Museum overlooking the Fremantle Harbour.

The 16 categories include Blues/Roots, Country, Electronic, Experimental, Folk, Jazz, Metal/Heavy, Punk/Hardcore, Pop, Rock, Urban/Hip Hop and World, plus extra categories for Schools (14 Years & Under), Schools (15-17), Outstanding Indigenous and Outstanding Regional.

In recent years, the Song of the Year has given an extra national profile for the likes of KUČKA, Tired Lion, Methyl Ethel, Mathas, Rainy Day Women, Schvendes , Tim Nelson, Georgi Kay and Sugar Army.

A study by Edith Cowan University put WA’s contemporary music sector’s contribution to the state economy as close to $1 billion, creating almost 3000 full-time jobs, with wages of $149 million.