In This Issue: we have the details on WAM’s Song of the Year Nominees, the newest line-up announcements for Bluestfest 2015, and an innovative new record label, plus the latest signings and the ARIA charts.
WAM’s Song of the Year Nominees and Awards Party Announced
Western Australia’s premier song competition — and one of the most prestigious song competitions Australia-wide — have announced their nominees for the 2015 WAM Song of the Year. There are nominees for sixteen categories covering different genres, with the winners due to be announced for the first time ever at B-Shed in Fremantle. Celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year, there is over $40,000 worth in prizes to be distributed to the winning up and coming and established talents.
Kučka is ahead this year with five nominations, while artists like Mister & Sunbird and Rag n’ Bone have also received multiple nominations in different categories. Meanwhile, artists Ruby Boots, Kimberley Carlson, The DIsappointed, Charlotte Viney, Coin Banks, Trisk, and Grace Barbé all had multiple songs nominated in single categories.
This year, the Grand Prize winner (selected from the overall pool of category winners) will win a generous prize of the following: $3,000 cash; recording time at the hit-making Albert Studios in Sydney; the opportunity for a publishing deal with Perfect Pitch Publishing; two days recording at Sonic Lolly; mastering provided by William Bowden of King Willy Sound (Grammy award recipient for mastering Goyte’s “Somebody That I Used to Know”); an online music course valued at $1,640 courtesy of BerkleeOnline; 500 CDs pressed by DiskBank; a RØDE Microphones package; the opportunity to perform at the 2015 WA Music Awards-nominated State Of The Art Festival; and a prime spot on the 2015 WAM Festival line-up.
The awards event has been moved to Saturday March 21st this year, with 2015 nominees Methyl Ethyl and Grace Barbé providing live performances. There will also be a myster MC and special guest presenters.
Visit wam.org.au for more details about the nominees and tickets.
Jimeoin Join The Hills Are Alive 2015 Line-Up + Open Volunteer Applications
The Hills Are Alive 2015 have announced their final acts as part of this year’s line-up. Among their most recently revealed artists is the comedy master Jimeoin, Melbourne’s Theme Team, and South Gippsland’s rock and roll stalwarts, Fossil Fuel.
Another exciting announcement is that Volunteer Applications for the event have now opened. Volunteers who apply will be asked to work a minimum of eight hours (in two four-hour shifts), while also being given time to see the festival. To volunteer, an application must be submitted online, with successful applicants being notified on February 27th.
The official word is that there are also now less than 300 passes left available for the festival, so interested volunteers and festival go-ers alike should visit http://www.thehillsarealive.com.au soon!
Janelle Monáe Teams Up With Epic Records
Globally critically-acclaimed artist and visionary Janelle Monáe has announced the launch of her own record label: Wondaland Records.
The artist roster has already been filled with artists as creative and unique as Monáe herself, including Jidenna, Roman GianArthur, Deep Cotton, and St. Beauty. Every artist on the table write and produce, making them a unique force in the industry from their creation. The label will officially launch with the release of the first single “Classic Man”, by Jidenna, featuring Roman GianArthur.
Monáe has said the following about her label launch: “I’m so thrilled to share Wondaland Records with the world. Each artist under Wondaland Records has unparalleled talent, incredible vision, and brings something unique to the music industry. Together, we’re creating a new movement and space for the future of music and pop culture. I'm honored to be partnering with Epic Records and my friend LA Reid to present such extraordinary talent.”
Hostworks & Moshcam Form Unique Partnership to Transport Live Music Experience
World-renowned live music video producers have recently reealed a partnership with digital roadies Hostworks, which will allow music fans around the world to see live shows from their favourite artists. The new service will be free of charge to music fans, wherever they may be in the world.
The new innovation will be enabled by sing Hostworks Media Foundry team to support Moshcam: a new app will be created, with website functionality, and content will be solicited through a unified media delivery network. They aim to provide vide-based enhancements that support HD VoD as well as live streaming.
The CEO of Hostworks, Will Berryman, has said, “Moshcam will utilise the full range of functionalities inherent in our Media Foundry service, including subscriber and subscription management, live streaming capabilities, customer video players and apps with chromecast and airplay functionality. What is ultimately delivered to loyal music fans is a unique, rich music experience with quality content that plays to their passions and musical preferences.”
Many artists already appear on Moshcam, including KoRn, Mayday Parade, Major Lazar, Blondie and more.
2015 Queensland Music Awards Finalists Announced
After months of speculation, the finalists for the QMusic 2015 Queensland Music Awards have been announced. The artists were selected by 40 judges who listened to music from every corner of the sunny state.
QMusic and Arts Queensland will also announce the winning recipient of the Billy Thorpe Scholarship for 2015 at the ceremony this year. The four finalists in the lead this year are Babaganouj, Ayla Scanlan, Moses Gun Collective, and Sahara Beck.
The awards will be hosted by triple j’s Sarah Howells and Hip-Hop veteran Fred Leone (AKA Rival MC from Impossible Odds Records), while live music on the night will be provided by artists such as Airling, Tjupurru and the Bulldawadda, Blank Realm, Halfway, MKO, Sahara Beck, and We All Want To.
QMusic’s Executive Officer Joel Edmondson has said, “The diversity of musical talent from metropolitan and regional Queensland always amazes our QMA judges. Queensland’s almost endless supply of gifted musicians ensures that the awards event is exciting and fresh every year. The awards night gives you an experience of the infectious sense of community at the core of Queensland’s vibrant and thriving music scene.”
The Awards Ceremony will be at the Brisbane Powerhouse Theatre on March 30. Tickets are now on sale.
Bluesfest Announces Playing Schedule + New Acts
With the much-celebrated festival only six weeks away, the 2015 Byron Bay Bluesfest have announced their seventh reveal of artists that will perform there this year. The festival has five major undercover stages, as well as one busking stage to feature as many artists — local and international — as possible. The schedule has also been revealed, giving festival-goes the chance to plan their days, and hopefully avoid any clashes between acts.
• Most recently announced were:
• Frank Yamma
• Delta Rae
• Wagons
• Skipping Girl Vinegar
• Marlon Williams & The Yarra Benders
• Kristy Lee
• Genevieve Chadwick
• Dewayne Everettsmith
• The Bella Reunion
• Luluc, James T.
• Matt Andersen
• Shaun Kirk
• Eddie Boyd
• The Phatapillars
The playing schedule for the festival is also available at the website, along with the remaining tickets. http://www.bluesfest.com.au/
Signings This Week
Nigerian dancehall star Patoranking has become the first African Dancehall artist to sign a deal with DP Records’ distribution arm VPAL Music. Through this label, he will release his debut album, and join the ranks of other superstars on the label like Sean Paul, Beenie Man, Elephant Man, Lady Saw, Mavado, Busy Signal and more.
Australian act Dom Dolla has signed to Sweat It Out after the success of his remix of Go Freek’s “We Can Ride”, which has nearly a million plays on Soundcloud. In celebration, he has released a free download of his single “Love Like This”, also available via Soundcloud.
Jade Tree have recently announced that they signed Philadelphia band Dogs on Acid, with plans to release their debut record later this year. The band boasts members from a number of popular indie bands in the area, including Algernon Cadwallader, Hop Along, and Snowing.
ARIA Charts
SINGLES
1. FourFiveSeconds — Rihanna, Paul McCartney, & Kanye West
2. Uptown Funk — Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars
3. Cheerleader (Felix Jaehn Remix) — Omi
4. Love Me Like You Do – Ellie Goulding
5. Take Me To Church — Hozier
6. Elastic Heart — Sia
7. Hold Back The River — James Bay
8. Style — Taylor Swift
9. Dear Future Husband — Meghan Trainor
10. Sun Goes Down — Robin Schulz feat. Jasmine Thompson
ALBUMS
1. Fifty Shades of Grey - Soundtrack
2. 1989 - Taylor Swift
3. In The Lonely Hour - Sam Smith
4. X - Ed Sheeran
5. Title - Meghan Trainor
6. Uptown Special - Mark Ronson
7. Wallflower - Diana Krall
8. Shadows In The Night - Bob Dylan
9. Hozier - Hozier
10. Built On Glass - Chet Faker