2017 Queensland Music Awards announces judges

PRESS RELEASE:

The 2017 Queensland Music Awards, presented by BOQ and Hutchinson Builders is starting to take shape, with QMusic today revealing an exciting and diverse range of music and media identities enlisted to judge submissions.

Queensland musicians will have their music heard by prominent international and national music industry executives, radio personalities and tastemakers representing an outstanding breadth and depth of experience.

The announcement comes as the December 4 deadline for entries fast approaches.

2016 has already been a huge year for Queensland music, with the State’s artists literally taking on the world – and right at the centre of it is the Queensland Music Awards. The Awards will once again uncover exciting new artists as well as give recognition to established artists.

The group consists of over 60 judges and includes several internationals who sit alongside local media and a panel of nationally respected music journalists, artist managers, A&R and label reps, booking agents, publishers and publicists who will have the unenviable task of selecting this year’s finalists and winners across all categories.

This year’s judging panel includes:

Adam Lewis – Owner, Planetary (USA)

Andrew Stafford – Author, Freelance Journalist

Andrew Stone – Head of Chugg Music, Chugg Music

Andrew Tuttle – Writer Services Representative, APRA AMCOS

Ben Godding – Marketing Director, Kobalt Music Recordings

Ben Preece – Director, Mucho Bravado

Chris Cobcroft – Music Co-Coordinator, 4ZZZ

Clare Armstrong – Journalist, The Courier-Mail

Dan Condon – Music Editor, Double J

David Dickenson – Founder / Owner, Suicide Squeeze Records (USA)

David Cashman – Associate Professor of Creative Arts, CQUniversity

DJ Katch – Director / A&R / Producer and DJ, Hydrofunk Records

Dom Alessio – Host of Home & Hosed, triple j

Dominic Miller – Manager/Booking Agent, Bluebeard Music/New World Artists

Emily Murphy – Director, EM Media & Events

Emma Jones – Editor, Purple Sneakers

Evan Alexander – Director, Heapsaflash

Frank Li – Director, The Flying Cock + The TBC Club

Gareth Bryant – National Music & Comedy Editor, scenestr – Eyeball Media

Graham Ashton – Director, Footstomp Music

Helen Russell – Lecturer, Music, USQ

Innez Tulloch – Arts Administration/Facilitation, 4ZZZ

Jack Bridges – Head of International Account Management, Beatport (Germany)

Jim Budd – Jazz musician Johann Ponniah Founder/Director, I OH YOU

John Mullen – Head of A&R and Executive Producer, Dew Process

Josh Taylor – Director, Cassette Entertainment / Call & Response

Julia Bridger – Producer, Bleach* Festival

Karen Dagg – Senior Marketing Manager, Polydor Records, Universal Music (UK)

Katrine Sviland – Music Critic, Aftenposten (Norway)

Knox Lovell – Host, The Jazz Show, 4ZZZ

Lars Brandle – Australia Correspondent, Billboard

Lochlan Watt – Host of THE RACKET, triple j

Lou Ridsdale – Owner, Lance Rock Publicity

Luke Logemann – Head of Recorded Music and Touring, UNIFIED

Mace Francis – Lecturer in Jazz Composition and Arranging, WA Academy of Performing Arts

Maggie Collins – Executive Programmer, BIGSOUND

Mark Smith – Executive Director, MusicNT

Matt Lymbury – Content Director, Nightlife Music

Michelle O’Rance – Radio Announcer, 4ZZZ

Nicola Pitt – Artist Manager, CAAMA Music

Noel Mengel – Freelance Writer Ozi Batla – Artist, Elefant Traks

Ragz Nordset – Head of Department for Entertainment Management, JMC Academy

Rick Heritage – Radio Announcer, World Music Shows, 4EB / 4ZZZ

Sam Cook – Director, KMBA

Samuel J Fell – Freelance Journalist

Samantha Morris – Editor, Blank Gold Coast

Shayne Armstrong – Writer/Producer, Armstrong + Krause Screenwriting Partnership

Sky Kirkham – Radio Announcer, 4ZZZ

Stacey Piggott – Director, Secret Service Public Relations

Steve Bell – Senior Contributor / Co-owner, The Music / Sonic Sherpa

Tanya-Hiroko Martin – Producer, BEMAC

Tim Pellegrino – Owner, The Feels Agency

Tim Price – Publicist, Collision Course

Tom Inglis – Owner, HSF Artist Services / Dog Whistle Music

Tom Osborn – (New West USA) VP Marketing, New West Records (USA)

Trevor Jackson – Editor, Sound Distractions

Tyler McLoughlan – Music Licensing Agent, The Sound Pound

Vanessa Fernandez – Program Director, LUSH 99.5FM (Singapore)

A full list is available on the QMA website.

With entries closing midnight Sunday December 4, the State’s original songwriters have limited time to submit their work across Music Video, Pop, Rock, Blues/Roots, Country, Urban, Folk/Singer Songwriter, World, Jazz, Electronic/Dance, Heavy and Schools (grade 6 – 12) categories.

The annual Queensland Music Awards, an initiative by QMusic and supported by APRA AMCOS, is a state-wide search for Queensland’s best new music.

Since winning the 2016 Pop Award earlier this year, Gold Coast singer-songwriter Amy Shark’s advice to those thinking about entering is simple.

“Even if you only have 1 song, send it in. The opportunities are endless and no matter what anyone tells me, I know deep down, the Queensland Music Awards were the kick-start to the success I have achieved in 2016.”

The Queensland Music Awards ceremony will take place at Brisbane Powerhouse on Monday 27 March 2017. Tickets will be available to the general public early next year.

Entries for the Queensland Music Awards close midnight December 4, 2016

For more details, entry information, and a list of previous winners, visit www.queenslandmusicawards.com.au