WAM launches 2020 Song Of The Year with over $45K in prizes
West Australian Music (WAM) has launched its hunt for its annual Song Of The Year for 2020.
The 32nd edition of the award is again presented by Healthway’s Act-Belong-Commit, and once again presents a rare exposure opportunity for WA songwriters to have their music heard by industry professionals.
Showcasing the talent of Western Australia’s songwriters across multiple genres, levels and ages, the WAM Song Of The year will bolster the career of the winner with over $45,000 in prizes.
In 2020 there are 17 categories; Blues/Roots, Country, Electronic, Experimental, Folk, Jazz, Metal/Heavy, Punk/Hardcore, Pop, Rock, Urban/Hip Hop, Global and Act-Belong-Commit, plus extra categories for Schools 14 Years & Under, Schools 15-17, Outstanding Indigenous and Outstanding Regional.
It is open to all WA songwriters, bands and producers, with previous winners including Stella Donnelly, Beni Bjah, Kučka, Little Birdy, Abbe May, Luke Steele and Carla Geneve.
Entries open from 12pm Monday, Feb 10, and close 5pm Thursday, March 12.
2019 winner Carla Geneve
Fostering good mental health in the music community is a priority of this year’s awards, and so WAM is working with Healthway once again to share the value of the Act-Belong-Commit message.
The Act-Belong-Commit song category welcomes songs of any genre that explore the relationship between mental wellbeing and the A-B-C message.
“It is the perfect platform to connect artists with each other, express their emotions and creativity, and celebrate the joy of music with the WA community,” said Healthway CEO Susan Hunt PSM.
All entrants will have the chance to get personalised feedback leading music minds including Anna Laverty, Joel Quartermain (Eskimo Joe), Sam Ford (Tone City Recording Studio) and Tenille Elkins (APRA AMCOS/NM TAFE).
Each category prize will include $500 cash prize and a free day of recording or mixing with some of WA’s best recording engineers and producers.
WAM 2019 Song Of The Year / Facebook
When it comes to the big prizes, the first runner up will receive a $1,500 cash prize, a $200 voucher for Pen Cap Chew Studios, and an e935 Vocal Dynamic Microphone and set of HD 280 PRO Headphones courtesy of Sennheiser.
The second runner up will receive a $1,000 cash prize towards their next career move and a $100 voucher for Pen Cap Chew Studios, plus both runner ups will receive two passes to WAMCon 2020 each.
Finally, the all-important Grand Prize includes:
- $3,000 cash
- 100 x colour vinyl 7 inches pressed courtesy of Rhubarb Records & XVinylX
- Radio ad campaign from RTRFM
- A two-day recording and production session with Best Sound Engineer/Producer (studio) WAMAward recipient, Andy Lawson of Debaser Studio
- A national media servicing campaign for a single or release through Firestarter Distribution
- A 6-hour graphic design package courtesy of Red Room design studio
- 500 posters distributed by The Poster Girls
- The opportunity for a publishing & sync licensing deal with Perfect Pitch Publishing, plus a tutorial in publishing and licensing and ongoing industry mentoring
- 1 complimentary 1 x night’s stay at the Alex Hotel
- An e965 Vocal Condenser Microphone and one set of HD 300 PRO Headphones courtesy of Sennheiser
- 20 tapes pressed courtesy of Space Cassette
- Four sets of Audiofly Pro's state-of-the-art dual hybrid AF120 MK2 in-ear monitors (valued at $1,200)
- Photo shoot including photo editing from music photographer Cam Campbell from @placeorpoint
- A $500 rehearsal voucher for Pen Cap Chew Studios
- WAMFest 2020 performance offer
- Two passes to WAMCon 2020