TMN Tinnies: Artist Development of the Year

This Fridaywe’ll be celebrating the industry’s best and brightest at Australia’s free music business awards event, the TMN Tinnies.

Artist development is the vital piece of the puzzle when it comes to keeping the industry going, and therewas undoubtedly a surge in breakthrough artists seen in the last 12 months – which made it very difficult to narrow down theArtist Development of the Year category to just five nominees.

Who will win? We’ll just have to find out at the TMN Tinniesawards handed outon Friday,February 2.

Michael Taylor(for Dean Lewis)

Dean Lewis has capped off a massive year with the announcement today of being added to the Groovin the Moo line-up. He continued to ride the wave of his 2016 track ‘Waves’, thanks to featuring in the mid-season finale of acclaimed US TV series,Suits. The track was also certified 3 x platinum in November 2017, while also picking up five nominations – the same number as Sia – at his first ARIAAwards.

Quincy Buchanan (for Polish Club)

By far anARIA Red Carpet favourite of TMN’s, Polish Club produced not only one of 2017’s mostrockingalbums (jam-packed with solid 16 songs), but also snuck in the release of a six-track EP and killer Christmas song towards the end of the year too. Clever marketing, a run of sold-out shows and plenty of laughs sees the Sydney duo, along with co-managerQuincy Buchanan,proving that you can still have fun in the music business.

Nate Flagrant(for Ruel)

You know the world is noticing your music when you havethe likes of Beats By Dre and Elton John mentioning your name. Elton played Ruel’s track ’Don’t Tell Me’ on his Beats 1 radio show in September, before the14-year-old was picked up Beats By Dre for their “Above The Noise” campaign in December. Discovered by M-Phazes and nurtured byNate Flagrant, Ruel supported Angus and Julia Stone and also Khalidon tour last year – and you can guarantee it won’t be long until he’s headlining his ownshows.

Heath Bradby (for Kita Alexander)

TMN spoke to Port Macquarie local Kita Alexander in November, after her track ’Hotel’ debuted at #52 on the Hot 100. Since then, commercial radio has thrown its support behind the song and this young artist – and the gamble is paying off. While the 21-year-old is in no rush to release an album, her attitude towards the music business is a breath of fresh air, and one that is beingfostered by Warner Music Australia’sHeath Bradby.

Rob Potts & Kerry Roberts(for Morgan Evans)

The local lad leading the pop/country crossover trend of 2017, Morgan Evans and his track ‘Kiss Somebody’ peakedat #2 on the TMN Country Airplay Chart – just missing out on the top spot thanks to fellow crossover act Sam Hunt. While getting country music played on radio by described as a risk by Rob Potts himself, the risk with Evans is paying off – he’ll be joiningJames Blunton his 2018 national tour, supporting Blunt’s headline shows in both Sydney and Melbourne.