Queensland forte of musical talent celebrated

The best of Queensland’s musical talent hit the high notes this evening at Queensland Music Awards, where the state’s top musical artists have been celebrated.

Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said the awards recognised the array of talent in the Queensland music industry.

“Each year the awards honour the fantastic achievements of Queensland music artists while shining a spotlight on exciting new talent,” Minister Enoch said.

“Entries across the 23 award categories showcase Queensland as a contemporary music standout on a national and international stage.

“Congratulations to all of the winners and finalists art this year’s awards.”

Ms Enoch said the Palaszczuk Government supports local contemporary music through a range of programs, including funding for QMusic, which presents the Queensland Music Awards, along with music industry event BIGSOUND.

This year Minister Enoch presented the 2019 Billy Thorpe Scholarship alongside Lynn Thorpe, widow of the late great Queensland-bred rock musician who the scholarship is named for.

“This year’s Billy Thorpe Scholarship winner is Brisbane-based pop outfit Pool Shop led by Jaimee Fryer, who impressed the judges with her ear for melodies along with her clear vision for the sound and direction of the project,” Ms Enoch said.

“Now in its 11th year, the Billy Thorpe Scholarship is supported by the Palaszczuk Government and provides $10,000 to an emerging artist to record with an established producer and receive career advice from Chugg Entertainment.

“Congratulations also to Billy Thorpe scholarship finalists, Jaguar Jonze, RIVAH and Sweater Curse.”

Last year’s Billy Thorpe Scholarship winner, Far North Queensland singer-songwriter Greta Stanley, said the prize was instrumental in helping develop her career.

“The 2018 Billy Thorpe Scholarship allowed me to create and release new music I otherwise would have been struggling to afford and manage to do successfully,” Ms Stanley said.

“It gave me confidence and reassurance that my art is important and appreciated by industry professionals and listeners alike.”

For more information, go to www.queenslandmusicawards.com.au.

A full list of winners is below.

Media contact: 0437 859 987

2019 Queensland Music Awards – winners:

Blues / Roots – Emily Wurramara, Tap Sticks         

Country – Emma Beau, Wild Heart   

Electronic / Dance – The Kite String Tangle, Give It Time (feat. Aalias)      

Heavy – Dead Letter Circus, The Armour You Own 

Hip-Hop / Rap – Resin Dogs, Pack Your Bags         

Indigenous – Emily Wurramara, Lady Blue   

Jazz – The Biology of Plants, Long Black    

Pop – Clea, Dreaming           

Regional – Sahara Beck, Here We Go Again           

Rock – The Jungle Giants, Used To Be In Love

Schools – Tokyo Twilight, Little Things (feat. DVNA)           

Singer Songwriter – Amy Shark, I Said Hi    

Soul / Funk / R'n'B – Mark Peric, The Sound of Light           

World / Folk – Asha Jefferies, Everybody Talks       

Video – Buttah, Ghost in the Machine           

Album of the Year – Tia Gostelow, Thick Skin         

Song of The Year – Clea, Dreaming 

Export Achievement Award – Confidence Man                    

Grant McLennan Lifetime Achievement – Henry ‘Seaman’ Dan      

People's Choice Regional Venue of The Year – NightQuarter                     

People's Choice Metro Venue of The Year – The Triffid                  

People's Choice Festival of The Year – Big Pineapple Music Festival                    

Billy Thorpe Scholarship – Pool Shop