Pulling from an incredible talent pool, the 2016-2017 WAM song of the year nominees have just dropped, and what a list! Having already boosted the careers of Tired Lion, Methyl Ethyl, and KUČKA, WA’s premiere song competition is one of Australia’s biggest, and the 2016-17 event is sure to be no exception.
Vying for a share in over $40,000 in prizes, the nominees are split across 16 categories, catering for all music styles and genres. This years list includes the likes of Bill Lawrie, The Brow, Kate Pass and rock group Rag n’ Bone just to name a few while Riley Pearce leads the pack with three nominations.
A comprehensive and talented list of judges including Fiona Kitschin, Paul Harding and Rob Younger, have anonymously assessed the nominees, each independently choosing their prospective favourites.
The winners are set to be revealed in true WAM style, with a song of the year awards party on the harbourside, on Wednesday the 17th of May, at the WA Maritime Museum. Acts like MC Magnus Danger Magnus, DJ Charlie Bucket and The Money War will be leading the celebratory charge, ensuring that things kick on well into the evening.
And the nominees are…
BLUES/ROOTS
Sponsored by Clancy’s Fish Pub Fremantle | Studio sponsor Shanghai Twang Studios
Carus Thompson – Beach Fires
Dan Howls – The Prince
Jordan McRobbie – Candle
Mark Turner – Yes I Do
Michael Ellis – Time For Change
COUNTRY
Sponsored by Country Music Club of Boyup Brook WA | Studio sponsor Fremantle Recording Studios
Belle Harvey – Bridges Burn
Bill Lawrie – Dalwallinu Hotel
Helen Townsend & Bill Chambers – Promised Land
Ralway Bell – Caught In The Crossfire
The Jackson Roses – Can’t Find You
ELECTRONIC
Sponsored by City of Fremantle I Studio sponsor Tone City Recording Studio
Lilt – Ghosts
Out of the Blue – Vice
Shyguy – Had It I’m Hiding
Lilt Wait – No More
Tobacco Rat – Infra
EXPERIMENTAL
Sponsored by Firestarter Distribution | Studio sponsor Blackbird Studio
Gravy Murphy – The World Is Your Moisture
The Intenso Band – As Steadfast As The Ether Itself
Jameson Feakes – A Window In Sicily
Samarobryn – The Road Is My River
The Intenso Band – A Small Margin of Terror
FOLK
Sponsored by Nannup Music Festival | Studio sponsor Artisan Music
Bill Lawrie – Always Be The Bad Girl In This Town
Nicky Sandover – Orange Tree
Riley Pearce – Circles
Riley Pearce – Seasick
These Winter Nights – Heart’s On Fire
HEAVY/METAL
Sponsored by Spotify | Studio sponsor Sumo Sound
Kimura – Book Of The Dead
Nucleust – Of King & Tree
Shimmergloom – Smithereens
St James Sirens – Empires Fall
The Decline – Can’t Have Both
JAZZ
Sponsored by The Ellington Jazz Club | Studio sponsor Crank Recording
Ben Matthews – Esperanzish
Daniel Susnjar Afro-Peruvian Jazz Group – Where Would I Be Without You
Harry Mitchell – Gabba The Hut
Harry Mitchell – Ignacio
Kate Pass Kohesia Ensemble – Point Of Departure
OUTSTANDING INDIGENOUS
Sponsored by Noongar Radio | Studio sponsor Foxhole Studios
The Brownley Gospel Singers – The Man Of Calvary
Desert Stars – Ngurra Nyangatja (Our Home)
The Struggling Kings – Ardyaloon (Guligool)
The Struggling Kings – Oceans
Platform 2 – Faultline
OUTSTANDING REGIONAL
Sponsored by APRA AMCOS | Studio sponsor Sonic Lolly
Codee-Lee – Heart Is A Compass
Valentine – Can’t Shake You
Kado Muir & LYC Crew feat. KJ – I Choose To Be Free (The Mamu Tjiitjii Song)
Julie Kember – Gypsy Woman
Like A Thief – Take Me Back
POP
Sponsored by Cool Perth Nights/Mojos | Studio sponsor Debaser Studio
Lucy Peach – Silver Tongue
Morgan Bain – Summed It Up
Riley Pearce – Outside The Lines
Sydnee Carter – When We Were Young
The Brow – Circles
PUNK/HARDCORE
Sponsored by Perfect Pitch Publishing | Studio sponsor Templeman Audio
Blindspot – Thin Ice
Rag N’ Bone – Pissy Flow
Scalphunter – Men With Square Eyes
Scalphunter – A Lie They Call The Truth
The Decline – Can’t Have Both
ROCK
Sponsored by Badlands Bar | Studio sponsor Poons Head Studios
High Horse – Carbon Copy
Mt. Mountain – Moon Desire
Our Man In Berlin – A Lightbulb Mind
Rag N’ Bone – Pissy Flow
The Money – War Recall
SCHOOLS 14 & UNDER
Sponsored by RØDE | Studio sponsor Vision Studios
Farraday’s Cage – Meaning Of Life
Hachi – f i r e e s c a p e
Idgie All – Those Lies Fall In
Lily Kate – Empty Road
Toby Jonah – Cinnamon
SCHOOLS 15 – 17
Sponsored by Diskbank | Studio sponsor Underground Studios
Belgrade – Me
Burdiya Mob – Djarliny
Charlotte Viney – Young & Reckless
Megan Grace – I Wanna Go Back
Siobhan Cotchin – All Night All Right
URBAN/HIP HOP
Sponsored by Audiofly | Studio sponsor Shake Down Studio
Bluntfield – The Soap Box
Chiseko & Jcal – Juice
Macshane – Meant To Do
Morgan Bain – Summed It Up
The Brow – Circles
WORLD
Sponsored by Fairbridge Festival | Studio sponsor Rada Studios
56 Hope Road – Justice
Barefeet Sojourns – Run Run
Brassika – Roll Your Eyes
Jere Sosa – Taste Of Honey
Kate Pass Kohesia Ensemble – Point Of Departure
Presale tickets are $20+BF (WAM members) $25+BF (non members) available via Moshtix.
Head to the event’s official website to find out more about the prizes on offer for the winners, and to learn more about the event and its nominees HERE.
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