Final shortlist for the Coopers AMP announced

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Years ago I was asked why I wouldn't put in my nominations for an Australian music award. "Grand Salvo released an album this year and it wasn't even listed in the candidates!" was (part of) my indignant answer. I guess I can't pull that card now.

The 9 artists that make up the shortlist for Australia's richest music prize, the Coopers AMP, have been announced. They are, in no particular order.

Flume - Flume (pictured)

Tame Impala - Lonerism

 

The Presets - Pacifica

 

Grand Salvo - Slay Me In My Sleep

Jess Rebiro & The Bone Collectors - My Little River

 

Liz Stringer - Warm In The Darkness

 

Daily Meds - Happy Daze

Hermitude - Hyper-Paradise

Urthboy - Smokey's Haunt

 

Organisers say a field of more than 300 artists entered their albums for the award, with that list being whittled down to 71 over the past few months. From there, the field was pooled to nine.  

Scott Murphy, Founder and Prize Director said this off the judges:

"I don't know who these people are, putting little names in lists and stuff."

Haha. No he didn't say that at all. He said:

“Hats off to the judges – for the past 6 months they have been giving up their free time to listen, listen and listen. They chose a whopping 71 albums to form the Longlist – clearly showing that the judges thought 2012 was a great year for great Australian music.

“Although it was a big commitment of their time and passion, the feedback from the judges favours the new entry/judging system that we put into place in 2012. The judges all fully support all 9 titles making this Shortlist and have stressed to me that there were in fact many more titles that they were individually passionate about but that obviously couldn’t be squeezed in – of note, albums by these artists narrowly missed the final cut: Alpine, Bearhug, Bored Nothing, Dirty Three, Pataphysics and Sarah Blasko.”

The winner of the $30,000 prize will be announced on March 7th.

Past winners of the AMP include Augie March, The Drones, The Mess Hall, Lisa Mitchell, Eddy Current Suppression Ring, Cloud Control and the Jezabels.