Ecca Vandal Wins Australian Music Prize for 'Looking for People to Unfollow'
Ecca Vandal has won the 22nd SoundMerch Australian Music Prize, taking home $50,000 for her second studio album.
Ecca Vandal has won the 22nd SoundMerch Australian Music Prize (AMP), taking home $50,000 for her second studio album, Looking for People to Unfollow.
The Melbourne-based artist beat out eight other shortlisted acts, including Baker Boy, Courtney Barnett, Genesis Owusu, Julia Jacklin and Karnivool, to claim one of Australia's most prestigious music awards.
Released in May, Looking for People to Unfollow marked Vandal's return after a nine-year gap between albums. Recorded largely in a makeshift home studio alongside longtime collaborator Richie Buxton, the 17-track record draws on punk, hip-hop, hardcore and electronic influences, exploring themes of identity, independence and self-expression.
“Wow, this is such an incredible honour. To be recognised alongside so many amazing Australian artists means the world to me,” Vandal said.
“Richie and I made this album together in his childhood bedroom, pouring everything we had into it, so to receive an award like this is honestly beyond anything we could have imagined. Thank you to the Australian Music Prize, the judges, and everyone who has supported us and believed in this record. We’re incredibly grateful, and it means so much to have our music recognised in this way.”
The win adds to an already significant year for Vandal, who performed at Coachella in April and has secured seven nominations for the upcoming 2026 ARIA Awards, including Album of the Year, Best Solo Artist and Best Alternative Release.
More than 600 eligible albums were considered for this year's AMP, with an independent panel of musicians, retailers and music media representatives narrowing the field to nine finalists before selecting the winner.
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Last year's recipient, Ninajirachi, who won for her debut album I Love My Computer, joined the judging panel this year alongside Ruby Gill, MudRat, Bleak Squad's Mick Turner and Mia Wray.
AMP founder and Prize Director Scott B Murphy congratulated Vandal on the achievement, and acknowledged the strength of this year's shortlist.
"Congratulations Ecca Vandal, you've been chosen from 600 albums reviewed by our judges, that's huge - and well deserved. Many times a judge of late has told me how strong all 9 Shortlisted albums are... and how hard it's going to be to choose a winner. I thank each of them so much for undertaking a very challenging job and doing so with such passion."
The ceremony also saw the introduction of the inaugural Prize Director's Award, presented in partnership with JB Hi-Fi. Baker Boy received the $4,000 award, comprising $2,000 in cash and $2,000 in JB Hi-Fi gift vouchers, for his album DJANDJAY.
Explaining his selection, Murphy said he encourages AMP judges to consider originality, consistency across an entire album and whether a record will stand the test of time.
"Each year when I appoint new judges, they want direction. I tell them it's totally up to you as to what makes a great album, but there are three things that should have priority during the process: 1, originality; 2, the album should be great from beginning to end and not just great because of 2 or 3 great tracks; and 3, that you should be choosing albums that you know you'll want to listen to in five years' time - and beyond. I'm sure all 9 Shortlisted albums are these 3 things for more than one judge, but for me, as Prize Director, it's Baker Boy's album."
Established in 2005 and inspired by the UK's Mercury Prize, the AMP recognises outstanding Australian albums based on artistic merit rather than commercial success.
Vandal joins a list of previous winners that includes Kankawa Nagarra, RVG, King Stingray, Genesis Owusu, The Avalanches and Ninajirachi. The inaugural prize was awarded to The Drones for Wait Long by the River and the Bodies of Your Enemies Will Float By.
SoundMerch returned as principal partner for the 22nd edition, providing the $50,000 cash prize, while the AMP also received support from the Australian Government through Music Australia and industry partners including JB Hi-Fi, Mushroom Music, Universal Music and Sony Music.
