WAM Song of the Year deadline extended, more judges named

The deadline for Western Australia’s WAM Song of the Year has been extended to 11:59PM Thursday February 16.

“This will be acts’ last chance to win over $40,000 worth of prizes on offer,” organiser WAM stated.

The Grand Prize includes $3,000 cash, recording sessions, a publishing deal, national media servicing, radio plugging, microphone and ear-monitor packs, plus a 12-month Spotify subscription.

The winner will also be guaranteed a prime spot on the 2017 WAMFest line-up, which is set to take place on November 2-5. In 2016, WAMFest saw a 30% patronage increase on the previous year, garnering a total of 14,000 attendees.

There are additionally 16 categories covering all musical genres (with songs also allowed entry into multiple relevant genre categories), each offering winners a $500 cash prize and free studio recording time.

WAM also increased the total of industry judges to 60. New additions are blues guitarist and composer Dave Hole, Gemma Pike of triple j, Greg Sanders of Gun Fever Music, Janine Le Clair of Music Row Voice (USA), Blake Williams (Mix 94.5), Claire Pannell of Dog Park Records, Elicia Petite of Pirate 88 FM, John Zucco of The Right Profile, Sammy Shirra-Moore of Branded (Singapore), Pete Jeavons of JAZZWA and Anni Fordham of Music Insight.

Furthermore, WAM has also announced a songwriting workshop titled Music As Activism, which will delve into the power of music and songwriting to inspire change. It will be held at The bird, Northbridge on Friday February 24.

The workshop will be headed by Fresh The Lion (SYD) – an active community member and ambassador for All Together Now who works tirelessly to raise awareness through his music on social justice issues such as racial profiling; Lucy Peach – a multi – WAMAwards winner, sexual health educator and advocate for feminism; and moderated by Paul Van Lieshout Hunt – a community broadcaster and LGBTQI activist, whose weekly RTRFM mornings program covers current affairs, arts and topical issues.