Australian Music Prize Announces Seven New Nominees

The Australian Music Prize (AMP) is returning to Sydney next year, with organisers today confirming another seven nominees.

Sponsored by SoundMerch again, the 18th AMP will head back to Sydney for the winner’s announcement on March 1st 2023. The winning artist will receive $30,000 – courtesy of SoundMerch – and competition will be fierce judging by the latest confirmed nominees.

Judges have been listening to eligible albums since June this year, and will continue to do so up until the last day of the year. The panel of experts was revised this year and features new judges like James Mangohig and Henry Wagons, as well as FBi Radio’s Reg Harris and 6RTR’s Taylah Strano. The revised panel also contains three previously shortlisted artists in Odette, Rory McDougall (The Putbacks) and Martha Marlow.

Julia Jacklin’s Pre Pleasure, Alex the Astronaut’s How to Grow a Sunflower Underwater and Emma Volard’s Deity are among the seven new additions to the shortlist (see all seven below). These seven albums join 43 other albums previously announced, including albums by the likes of Midnight Oil, Parkway Drive, King Stingray and Camp Cope.

You can check out the complete list of 2022 Australian Music Prize nominations via the official website. The nine finalist albums will be announced early next year. The winner will follow Genesis Owusu, who won the 17th SoundMerch AMP back in March for his acclaimed album Smiling With No Teeth.

“It means a lot that there are initiatives like the AMP that look to platform and support art purely on artistic merit, rather than any other surrounding factors,” Genesis said about winning the award. “The fact that they show their support financially is not only rewarding, but crucial in a post-COVID world, and has personally helped my career as I continue to tour and make more music.”

SoundMerch AMP 2023 New Nominations

Blood Moon by RY X
Deity by Emma Volard
Isola by Laurence Pike/Cameron Deyell
I’m Gonna Die With This Frown on My Face by Ruby Gill
How to Grow a Sunflower Underwater by Alex the Astronaut
Pre Pleasure by Julia Jacklin
Personal Hotspot by FERLA