Ziggy Ramo, Baker Boy & Mojo Juju Lead 2019 APRA PDAs Finalists

Ziggy Ramo, Baker Boy, Tones & I and Mojo Juju have lots to be happy about, as they are all nominees for this year’s APRA Professional Development Awards.

These awards, handed out every two years, aim to give up-and-coming musicians a head start by awarding winners $15,000 AUD to help boost their career.

There are nine awards in total, including ‘Dance & Electronic’, ‘Country’, ‘Jazz’ as well as two separate awards dedicated to First Nations artists. There’s also the ‘Popular Contemporary’ category, in which three awards will be given out.

The Smugglers of Light initiative, formed in memory of Eli Westlake, will also be making a return this year, and will see one First Nations artist or media practitioner earn $12,000 AUD.

The recipients of these awards will be announced on Wednesday, 25th September. Check the full list of awards and nominees below.

2019 APRA Professional Development Awards Nominees

Popular Contemporary

(3 Awards will be given in this category including Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Hip Hop, Dance and R&B)

Angie McMahon

Charlotte Thorpe (Charlz)

Dave Crowe (Resin Moon)

Ecca Vandal

Maaike Lebbing (Kito)

Marlon Williams

Martha Brown (Banoffee)

Mojo Juju

Rainbow Chan

Toni Watson (Tones and I)

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Allara Briggs Pattison

Danzal Baker (Baker Boy)

Deline Briscoe

Rhyan Clapham (DOBBY)

Ziggy Ramo

Art Music

Amanda Cole

Colin Black

Natasha Anderson

Tilman Robinson

Wally Gunn

Country

Casey Barnes

Gretta Ziller

Imogen Clark

Melanie Dyer

Sarah Grace Buckley

Electronic/Dance

Beatrice Lewis

Elise Reitze-Swensen (Feels)

James Vincent (JIM ALXNDR)

Jock Nowell-Usticke (BAYNK)

Mark Maxwell

Film & Television

Angela Little

Jed Palmer

Matthew Chin

Piers Burbrook de Vere

Pru Montin

Jazz

Daniel Susnjar

Kristin Berardi

Matthew Keegan

Niran Jay Dasika

Steve Barry

Smugglers Of Light

Dan Riches (Ardiol Media)

Daniel Rankine (Trials)

Jessica Hitchcock

Kirsty Lee Akers

Miiesha Young

Mi-Kaisha Masella

Patrick Mau (Mau Power)

Richie Guymala (Black Rock Band)

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