The shortlist for the Australian Music Prize 2017 has been announced

It’s one of the most prestigious prizes in the Aussie music, and today, the shortlist for the 2017 Australian Music Prize has been announced, with nine albums in the running to receive the honour.

Announced today, following an intense period of selection from the panel of 19 judges, this year’s Australian Music Prize shortlist contains a rather eclectic list, featuring some of the best singers, songwriters, and producers from Australia.

Now in it’s 13th year, the Australian Music Prize has seen countless brilliant albums nominated for the creative excellence. Since it was first given to The Drones for their stunning Wait Long By The River And The Bodies Of Your Enemies Will Float By in 2005, other acts to have received the honour include Courtney Barnett, REMI, Hermitude, and last year’s winner, A.B. Original.

This year’s nominees include the likes of Jen Cloher, HTMLflowers, Sampa The Great, and even Paul Kelly, whose nominated album Life Is Fine finally saw him receive that well-deserved number one spot on the ARIA charts last year.

Of course, it’s not just the prestige of the honour that these artists are in the running for. The artist behind this year’s winning album will also receive a $30,000 cash prize which will certainly help go towards the production of the much-anticipated follow-up album.

The winner of the 2017 Australian Music Prize will be announced on March 9th during a ceremony in Melbourne.

2017 Australian Music Prize Shortlist

Beaches – Second Of Spring
Darcy Baylis – Intimacy & Isolation
HTMLflowers – Chrome Halo
Jen Cloher – Jen Cloher
Jordan Rakei – Wallflower
Liars – TFCF
Paul Kelly – Life Is Fine
Sampa The Great – Birds And The BEE9
The Vampires – The Vampires Meet Lionel Loueke

Previous Australian Music Prize Winners

2016: Reclaim Australia – A.B. Original
2015: Sometimes I Sit And Think, Sometimes I Just Sit – Courtney Barnett
2014: Raw X Infinity – REMI
2013: Not Art – Big Scary
2012: Hyperparadise – Hermitude
2011: Prisoner – The Jezabels
2010: Bliss Release – Cloud Control
2009: Wonder – Lisa Mitchell
2008: Primary Colours – Eddie Current Suppression Ring
2007: Devil’s Elbow – The Mess Hall
2006: Moo, You Bloody Choir – Augie March
2005: Wait Long By The River And The Bodies Of Your Enemies Will Float By – The Drones

This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.