Music SA is proud to reveal the 2019 South Australian Music (SAM) Awards finalists, with the winners to be announced during a red carpet ceremony on Friday 22 November at Adelaide University’s beautiful Bonython Hall.

Categories for the awards include both People’s Choice Awards, determined by online voting, and SAM Awards as judged by a panel of industry peers.

Music SA CEO Lisa Bishop says the finalists announced today celebrate a high level of excellence in local, contemporary music and the exceptional talent we have in our state.

“Our 2019 finalists are a true representation of the quality and diversity of artists coming from our local landscape and, as a UNESCO City of Music, it is an exciting time to be part of the South Australian music scene. I congratulate all of our finalists and look forward to celebrating with everyone at the gala event on November 22,” she said.

Minister for Innovation and Skills David Pisoni said: “The State Government is a proud supporter of local music, which is exemplified by the many programs we fund. I thank every member of the South Australian music scene for their valuable contribution to our vibrant culture and wish the finalists all the very best of luck for the SAM Awards next month.”

On the back of their recent Eurovision quest, Electric Fields has been nominated for three awards across People’s Choice and SAM Awards categories, while Horror My Friend lead the nominations with recognition across six categories this year. Acts in the running for the prestigious Best Release Awardinclude multiple contenders Adrian Eagle, Wing Defence, and MANE who has also been nominated for Best Song.

In addition to the usual line up of awards though, this year, APRA AMCOS’ annual, coveted award, The Emily Burrows Award will be presented at the SAM Awards this year.

Chair of Music SA Anne Wiberg said the SAM Awards showcase the outstanding music, production and management in South Australia and can be a springboard for success for our local talent.

“We have such an incredible music industry here in our state, and paying tribute to the performers and those behind the scenes through the SAM Awards is a wonderful way to show our appreciation for all the hard work and effort they put in year after year,” she said. “The Awards push our musicians, artists, managers and producers into the national spotlight and show the rest of the country the high quality talent we have here.”

The SAM Awards (formerly Fowler’s Live Music Awards) has been made possible since 2012 with a special grant from the government’s Music Development Office and the valued support of many sponsors.

Alongside Music SA, this year’s SAM Awards are presented in conjunction with major partners Government of South Australia via Music Development Office, University of Adelaide, Moshtix, Australian Hotels Association (SA Branch), beverage partnersYalumba, The Music, The Hills Cider Company and Young Henrys, in addition to AV partners Novatech and Nexstage.

 Tickets to the South Australian music industry’s night of nights are on sale now via moshtix, and include entry to the gala event with full catering and drinks throughout the evening.

In addition to award presentations, attendees can expect to be entertained by DJ sets and live performances by local superstars Stellie, Jess Day, Horror My Friend and Jimblah.

 With a record number of votes cast this year the SAM Awards are getting hotter, which is an excellent excuse to get glammed up to celebrate our local music scene, so grab tickets from moshtix before they sell out.

 SAM AWARDS FINALISTS

 Industry Awards

Best Studio – presented by Adelaide Music Collective

Adelaide Recording Studios
Ghostnote Recording Studio
Mixmasters
Wizard Tone Studios
Wundenberg’s Recording and Rehearsal Studios

Best Live Engineer – presented by Novatech

Greg Sound
Kevin Farrant
Luke Hancock
Liam Roche

Best Studio Engineer – presented by SAE Institute

Alex Mader
Jimmy Balderston
Lewis Wundenberg
Mario Spate
Neville Clark

Best Music Festival / Event – presented by moshtix

Flipside Festival
Porchland
Spin Off Festival
Stonecutters
The Porch Sessions

Best Music Venue – presented by AHA (SA Branch)

Crown & Anchor Hotel
Jive
Lion Arts Factory
The Hotel Metro
The Wheatsheaf Hotel

Best Manager – presented by Association of Artist Managers

Planet Shhh
Stormfront Productions
Sue Germein
Alex Karatassa
Little Acorn Music

Best Cover Art – presented by VERSION Design

Dress Code (Jack Fenby)
Horror My Friend (Sam Kolesnik)
Lost Woods (Todd Fischer)
Sleep Talk (Michael Belletti)
The Cameramen (Planet Lazuli)

Best Music Video – presented by Channel 9

Beau Lightning (Matthew Schirripa and Benjamin Dowie)
Horror My Friend (Ryan Sahb)
Life Pilot (Eli Green & Alex Robertson)
Planet Self (Capital Waste Pictures)
Sleep Talk (Crystal Arrow Films)

Major Awards

Best Song – presented by APRA AMCOS

Collarbones – A.I.
Electric Fields – 2000 and Whatever
Horror My Friend – Turned Loose
MANE – Save Yourself
Stellie – Let’s Forget We Were In Love

Best New Artist – presented by WOMADelaide

Dead Roo
Dress Code
Jess Day
Stellie
Ukulele Death Squad

Best Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island Artist – presented by CASM

Eskatology
UPK
Nancy Bates
Electric Fields

Best Group – presented by Music SA

Germein
Horror My Friend
Sleep Talk
The Montreals
Ukelele Death Squad

Best Solo – presented by Adelaide Fringe

Adrian Eagle
Elsy Wameyo
Jess Day
Ollie English
Stellie

Best Release – presented by The Music

Adrian Eagle – A.O.K.
Collarbones – A.I.
Horror My Friend – Turned Loose
MANE – Save Yourself
Wing Defence – Hindsight

 

THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS FINALISTS

Blues & Roots
presented  by Radio Adelaide

Bortier Okoe
Dieter Horvat
Jimmybay
Ollie English
Sturt Avenue

Country
presented  by Grace  Emily  Hotel

Dead Roo
Matt Ward
Nancy Bates
Ricky Albeck & The Belair Line Band
The Cut Snakes

Electronic
presented  by Rocket Bar

China Roses
Electric Fields
Jethro
Luke Million
Theeves

Experimental
presented  by Ancient World

GIRL
My Chérie
SONS OF ZÖKU
The Dunes
The Empty Threats

Folk
presented  by Wheatsheaf  Hotel

Alana Jagt
Alison Newman
Anya Anastasia
Bromham
Ukulele Death Squad

Heavy
presented  by Underground Records

Audio Reign
Hidden Intent
Japam
Life Pilot
The Straight-Jacket Tailors

Hip Hop
presented  by The Gov

Argus and The Liar
Elsy Wameyo
Richysand
Stefan Rossi
We Move Like Giants

Jazz
presented  by Elder Con

Adam Page
Mike Tilbrook
She Descends The Stairs
Thomas Voss/ Lauren Henderson Big Band

Pop
presented  by Lion Arts Factory

Germein
MANE
Paper Sunsets
Pinkish Blu
The Montreals

Punk
presented  by Three D Radio

Bearclaw Camp
Chainsaw Preachers
Collateral Damage
Sleep Talk
Wing Defence

Rock
presented  by Crown & Anchor

Horror My Friend
Indiago
TOWNS
Venice Queens
West Thebarton

Soul/Funk/R’n’B
presented  by Woodville Town Hall

BIG SEVENTIES BUSH
Dirtyfrank
Eliza Dickson
Isaac Thomas
Wanderers

Head to https://southaustralianmusicawards.com.au/for more information and grab your tickets to the event through moshtix: https://www.moshtix.com.au/v2/event/south-australian-music-awards-2019/115721