New categories for SA Music Awards

The South Australian Music Awards (SAM Awards) – to be held in November on Friday November 11 – has added new categories in its second year.

The public-voted genre categories cover blues & roots, country, electronic, experimental/avant-garde, folk/acoustic, heavy, hip hop, jazz, pop and rock.

New additions to the eight industry awards include Best Studio and Best Engineer alongside categories covering festival/music event, venue, manager, cover art, music video and the Ryan Freeman Live Music Award. The latter, which gives $4000 to kick-start an artist’s career, was introduced by the family of live music fan Ryan Freeman who passed away in 2009.

Another new category, for Best Aboriginal Torres Straight Islander Release, is an addition In the Major Awards. These cover best song, new artist, group release, female release, male release and best release.

MusicSA has opened entries until Sunday July 31. All award information, eligibility criteria and online entry forms are now available atsouthaustralianmusicawards.com.au

Music SA General Manager Lisa Bishop says “We are so proud to recognise and celebrate the wealth of talent we have in South Australia and implore all eligible musicians to enter the SAM Awards. We really look forward to making the event even bigger and better in 2016!”