The accomplishments and emergence of South Australian music over the last 12 months is set to be celebrated next week with the South Australian Music (SAM) Awards powering ahead.
Held for the first time in a specially constructed outdoor format, the 2020 SAM Awards continue to be a highlight of the South Australian music industry calendar, celebrating the best in local music now and looking ahead to the new year.The SAM Awards ceremony will be staged IRL on 3 November at University of Adelaide's Cloisters and Lawns, with COVID-19 safe protocols in place.
Helming proceedings will be Three D Radio's Isaac Selby, bringing that local music expertise and knowledge to the role.
2020 SAM Awards nominations.
Before we find out who takes the cake in each of the 29 categories, past winners Bad//Dreems, Heaps Good Friends and Laura Hill aka Lilac Cove share their experiences about SA's premier music industry gathering and how important the Awards are to the local community.
Bad//Dreems
"We have always been extremely honoured to have been nominated over the years at the SAM Awards."Events such as this are important in helping bands promote themselves to a wider audience. The SAM Awards have grown over the years and now shine a national spotlight on the excellent music made in Adelaide and the industry around it.
"They've always been conducted in the best spirits, as a celebration of South Australian music rather than focus on any sort of competition.
"We've really enjoyed attending and the chance it brings to catch up with the community. We look forward to being there for many years to come."
Heaps Good Friends
"Heaps Good Friends have been lucky to win to two SAM Awards: Best New Act in 2018 and People's Choice Best Pop Act in 2019."Winning the Best New Act in 2018 was huge. That fizzy, numb feeling when you overload. Pouring all of yourself into your passion not knowing if it resonates at all, then receiving very solid affirmation from your community is a big experience.
"Absolutely a rush of 'yes this is the good thing, this is the thing I love doing' finally paired with 'no I'm not crazy other people think it's a good thing too'.
Heaps Good Friends @ 2018 SAM Awards
"The SAM Awards are a real pearl in the annual calendar for our local music industry because it's a night we can all be together and look around the room and be reminded our industry is full of lovely, lovely, warm-hearted social beings just wanting good things to happen.
"We all share a beautiful, common interest and that's more valuable than we can imagine. To see all the faces at once and really admire how much love there is in each piece of art made and presented, and the special individuals putting effort into our communal pool. Juuuuust f...ing lovely.
"Being in a huge room with all of your kind of people celebrating each other readjusts your perspective on the role music plays in your life and as a result, the role it plays in society.
"The SAM Awards provides evidence our role as creative musicians is valuable to society.
"Since winning the awards, Heaps Good Friends has had a great time touring around for own, sell-out EP tour, supporting The Jungle Giants, Lime Cordiale, Polish Club, clocking over two million streams on Spotify and and playing some fun festivals.
"We've had a bloody good run really. Currently enjoying songwriting and playing Tony Hawk's re-releases on PS4."
Laura Hill AKA Lilac Cove
"We all love discovering new music. If COVID-19 has taught us anything it's that some of the best-kept bands and artists can be found on our very own doorstep."There are many perks with supporting SA musicians and attending their shows locally. You can personally meet the band and you will meet like-minded individuals that like the same music as you for new instant friends!
"The most important perk though is that your support connects you with your community as a whole and supports local business and individuals in the process.
"I personally believe that just because you may not be getting recognised in an industry it doesn't mean you shouldn't keep doing your best and push local and national boundaries with your art.
"Winning a SAM Award however helps solidify the hard work, dedication and creative energy musicians and their team put into their music and business.
"It's definitely important to recognise South Australian musicians and the SAM Awards offers a unique platform to discover your new favourite act and furthermore celebrate them.
Read Lilac Cove's 5 solid reasons to go barefoot listicle.
"During COVID lockdowns and restrictions I chose to create. For my part I felt this was the only thing I could control. If I didn't come out of this with either a new skill (heck I bought a spear gun) or creation it would have been like a vortex of wasted time.
"I'm excited to share my new project and band Lilac Cove. I figured if the world can handle a pandemic my fans, friends and family can also handle some new music vibes.
"I'm so grateful for the local support and encouragement during this time. We're all connected through this weird year of 2020 and we might as well stick together. I'm excited to share what we have been working on."
