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)