Entries open for NT Song of the Year Awards

The Northern Territory’s peak music association MusicNT this morning opened entries for the 2017 NT Song of the Year Awards.

Set up in 2012, the awards are intended to promote and celebrate original music coming out of the Northern Territory.

Categories include Rock, Pop, Folk, Urban/ HipHop, Blues & Roots, Country, Heavy, Dance & Electronic and Youth (aged 25 and under).

2016 saw the introduction of the TourismNT Territory Song Award, and additional awards including People’s Choice and the overall NT Song of the Year Award.

Music NT GM Mark Smith says that the NT Song of the Year initiative came at a time when NT acts were confidently ready to break nationally, and the underground was spinning up exciting new ideas.

“Some great new tracks are being discovered in the entries,” Smith says. “The awards are as much about the discovery of great bedroom producers with no profile as highlighting the better-known names to the rest of Australia.”

Over half of the 50+ judges are from the East Coast music industry. Last year, triple j’s Dom Alessio hosted the awards to give it national exposure. This has certainly helped move the careers of some past winners.

Singer-songwriter Gawurra, who now lives in Melbourne, has become a familiar face on the national festival circuit following his debut album.

Alice Springs singer-songwriter Colin Lillie has released his debut album to rave reviews from national media and is this month playing the East Coast for the first time.

Pop band At The Dakota toured nationally behind their second EP.

Ben Evolent, whose Next Time won the Tourism NT Territory Song last year, has found gigs starting to sell out and more offers to open for national acts.

Alice Springs songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Dave Crowe (aka Resin Moon), whose Salt took Song of the Year and Best Electronic/Dance last year also found more radio interest as a result.

“Winning NT Song of the Year was massive for me… I’ve received serious exposure, not just in the NT, but nationally,” Crowe reveals.

“It was amazing for my confidence as a songwriter, and really encouraging to get that recognition.

“There is such a high standard of Territory musicians making original music, and to be recognised as the NT Song of the Year winner last year was an incredible honour,”

Entries for the awards close on Friday May 26, with the winners being revealed on Saturday July 8.

The 50+ judges, category prizes and other details will be unveiled in coming weeks. For more information on the event, click here.