Deadline extended for Qld Music Awards, Thorpe Scholarship

Queensland songwriters gain a one-week extension to submit their songs to the 2018 Queensland Music Awards.

The new deadline for submission is midnight Sunday, January 28.

Long a platform for artists to catapult their careers forward onto the national stage, the 2018 awards have enjoyed a flood of published and unpublished submissions from musicians across the state.

This year all entrants are eligible for the radio and print promotional prize pack worth $20,000.

Among the judges on board for 2018 are; Marc Sousley (Sydney City Limits), Petrina Convey (Sony Music Australia), Amy Jarman (BMG Music Australia), Ben Godding (Kobalt Music), Jane Slingo (EMC) and Jack Bridges (Beatport) among a host of media, labels, A&R, managers, booking agents, publishers and sync agents.

Regional Queensland artists have had a disproportionate level of success over the years, leading organiser QMusic to suggest that it “proves that our brightest talents are spread far and wide”.

Mackay songstress Tia Gostelow(pictured) was nominated for six awards in 2017, complementing her breakout year.

Her advice to those thinking about entering is simple. “If you are a songwriter, make sure you enter your songs!”

Presented by Royal International Convention Centre, Brisbane Showgrounds, Hutchinson Builders and Mountain Goat Beer, the awards ceremony will take place on Monday, May 14.

The 2018 QMAs span 13 categories including Pop, Rock, Blues / Roots, Country, Hip-Hop / Rap, Singer Songwriter, World / Folk, Jazz, Electronic / Dance, Heavy, Regional, Video and Schools (Grade 6-12).

For more details, entry information and to check out some featured entries visit www.queenslandmusicawards.com.au

Also extended today are entries for the 2018 Billy Thorpe Scholarship.

The $10,000 award enables an emerging artist or band to record with an established producer, and receive career-planning advice from a Chugg Entertainment representative.

Applicants can apply online through QMusic’swebsite until midnight January 28, 2018.

The winner is announced at the 2018 Queensland Music Awards.