The Jezabels win Australian Music Prize 2012
aaamusic | On 11, Mar 2012
The Australian Music Prize (7th Amp) is proud to announce The Jezabels as the winners of the $30,000 cash prize courtesy of PPCA.
The Jezabel’s album “Prisoner” was a cocktail of power and elegance,rising like a force to be reckoned with. Dramatic, creative songwriting is delivered with ferocity by commanding front woman Hayley Mary. The Jezabels have firmly cemented their place in the Australian music industry and abroad.
As The Jezabels are currently overseas, they provided a comment on the win. “To all involved in the process of awarding the Australian Music Prize, The Jezabels would like to recognise the difficulty with which you have come to your decisions this year, both in the nominations and the final judging process,” they said. “What is clear through out all the difference of opinion, regarding both the politics of the prize and musical tastes, is that The Amp is made up of people who care a great deal about Australian music and the importance of maintaining the ideals that the prize has come to represent, the encouragement of excellence and quality in Australian albums, regardless of their popularity or success, but to also recognise that those things are not mutually exclusive. We are also aware that it an incredibly strong year for Australian albums, and the sound of those albums has resonated beyond this nation’s borders. It is with these things in mind that we realise the full extent of the privilege of being nominated for The Amp, let alone winning. This band knows as well as anyone the challenge of choosing to make your dream your career and the gambles involved. We have immense respect for any Australian artist who made an album this year, whether they made the short list or not. In holding these views we feel we hold thesame values as The Amp and we promise to fulfill the amps intentions, to use this internationally-recognised prize to further our music and to be encouraged by your faith in us in our future musical endeavours. So from the bottom of our hearts, we thank the Australian music industry, the Australian public, but of course The Australian Music Prize for this incredible honour.”
The Amp winner is decided by a democratic voting process by a panel of more than 40 judges based on their opinion of each album alone. The Australian Music Prize aims to encourage discussion and support of the local music industry by highlighting the nine shortlisted artists, as well as the winner. The Amp continues to support Australian music both locally and overseas.
The 7th Amp went above and beyond with the introduction of “Amped Up In Conversation” held today at The Basement in Sydney. It included a key note speech by seminal writer David Fricke from US Rolling Stone which focused on Australian music in an international sphere as well as Fricke’s own memorable experiences with Australian music. Education Minister Peter Garrett was also in attendance.
Australian Music Prize Director Scott B. Murphy congratulated The Jezabels on their win. “The Amp continues to bring Australian music to the fore. We are lucky to have such quality music representing the country overseas right now.” PPCA CEO Dan Rosen said “Today’s event further emphasised the special place The Amp now has within our industry and PPCA is proud to again be the major prize sponsor, providing $30,000 to The Jezabels for their wonderful album.
It was also a pleasure to hear the legendary David Fricke of US Rolling Stone deliver a rousing keynote address highlighting the contribution our artists have made on the international stage. It was trulyinspirational and left many in the room feeling a great sense of pride in our wonderful Australian artists and optimism for the future of our local industry.”
The 7th Amp thanks its major partner PPCA, principal partners Coopers and Channel [V], online partner themusic.com.au as well as the Patrons of The Amp, judges, Industry Sponsors and all the musicians who continue to make this unique prize possible.
The Amp will return in August 2012 with the launch of The 8th Amp.
