Opinions, we’ve had a few. None more contentious however, than a mildly incendiary (some would say shit stirring) Australian Music Prize conspiracy theory posted earlier this year. Honestly, we had no idea how passionately you guys cared about independent music prizes much less Australian ones so for those who take an active interest in ideas like appropriate recognition, the state of Australian music and the silent hand of Australian record labels and media companies (now we’re just sounding paranoid) this is what the Australian Music Prize has in store this year.
To the award’s most crucial element, the judging panel. As outlined by the Australian Music Prize charter, the judging panel (31 members this year) is a rotating cast of industry leaders pulled from the following three categories: Music Retail, Talented Musicians and Music Media. This year’s “Talented Musicians” are Tim Freedman, Renee Geyer, Holly Throsby, Lorna Clarkson, Romy Hoffman, Spiderbait’s Kram, The Black Sorrow’s Pete Luscombe, Died Pretty’s Ron Peno and Cameron Bruce as well as a slew of former AMP nominees – The Preset’s Julian Hamilton, Oh Mercy’s Alexander Gow and Urthboy’s Tim Levinson.
Those designated “Music Media” include past judges Andrew Mast (Street Press Australia), Bernard Zuel (Sydney Morning Herald), Clem Bastow (The Big Issue), Dom Alessio (triple j), Richard Moffat (3RRR), Simon Collins (The West Australian), Mish Stampfli (Groupie), Iain Shedden (The Australian), and Kathy McCabe (The Daily Telegraph) as well as new additions Alan Brough (Spicks and Specks), Mikey Cahill (News Ltd) and Darren Levin (The Age).
Representing Aussie music retailers this year are past judges Chris Berkley, Dave Clarke, Michelle Rains, Mike Glynn, Sarah Thompson and Tom Beaumont as well as new addition Greg Rutherford.
At stake is $30,000 in prize money, a $30,000 advertising package, a possible upturn in record sales and parochial bragging rights. Past winners include Lisa Mitchell, Eddy Current Suppression Ring, The Mess Hall, Augie March and The Drones.
