News November 19, 2017

Sydnee Carter takes out grand prize in WAM song of the year awards

“I am still in shock!” 19-year-old Sydnee Carter posted, minutes after she won the WA song of the year’s grand prize last night, as well as the pop category, with her song When We Were Young.

Emerging nationally three years ago on X Factor, Carter has gone on to get Song Of The Year nominations, be a Telstra Road To Discovery grand finalist, and showcase at Music Matters Live in Singapore, while a recent collab with Slumberjack on Afraid Unafraid made it into the charts.

When We Were Young, from her second EP Sticks & Stones, saw her looking back at her childhood a few days before her 18^th birthday.

“I was so reckless, constantly coming home with bruises, scraped up knees, and burning my feet on hot summer roads!

“I would ride my bike, climb trees, play soccer and skateboard at any opportunity. I guess the song reminds me of the ‘little me’ that’s still inside the adult me.”

Over $40,000 worth of prizes was distributed over the course of the night at the WA Maritime Museum in Fremantle.

Other winning songs includedRag N’ Bone’s Pissy Flow (punk/hardcore), High Horse’s Carbon Copy (rock), Macshane’s Meant To Do (urban/hip hop), Tobacco Rat’s Infra (electronic), Dan Howls’ The Prince (blues & roots), Ralway Bell’s Caught In The Crossfire (country) and Jere Sosa’s Taste Of Honey (world).

Also on the winner’s podium were The Intenso Band’s As Steadfast As The Ether Itself (experimental), Riley Pearce’s Seasick (folk), Nucleust’s Of King & Tree (heavy metal), and Harry Mitchell’s Ignacio (jazz).

The Brownley Gospel Singers’ The Man Of Calvary was judged outstanding indigenous, while Codee-Lee’s Heart Is A Compass took the prize for outstanding regional.

In the schools section, Farraday’s Cage’s Meaning Of Life was for the 14 and under age group and Burdiya Mob’s Djarliny was for 15—17.

WAM CEO Mike Harris said, “WAM’s Song Of The Year competition keeps going from strength to strength, and the quality and depth of entries never fails to amaze me. Congratulations to all entrants, finalist and winners.

“I have seen Sydnee Carter grow as a performer over the past few years, and Sydnee’s Grand Prize win is a deserved testament to her talent.

“The strength of the applicants’ music demonstrates the importance of the competition and its integral position in the development of WA artists.”

Senior Writer Services Representative Tenille Elkins from major partner APRA AMCOS added, “WAM Song Of The Year is a rare and important opportunity for songwriters and we’re very excited for Sydnee Carter and the other category winners.

“We’re committed to developing our members’ careers and this award is a wonderful way to showcase the wealth of talent in WA.”