Your Guide To The 2017 SAM Awards Country Nominees

Hana & Jessie-Lee

Hana & Jessie-Lee are a powerhouse duo who do alt-country with swagger. Their music is raw, rich and seductive; it’s all twang and clamour one moment, and warm and familiar the next. The melodic hooks, reverberating guitars and skilled song craft featuring the lush, soulful vocals of Hana Brenecki blended with the judicious smoky drawl of Jessie-Lee’s telecaster creates something unique and exciting.

Kiera

Kiera was born into a musical family and naturally developed her musical abilities.  At just three years of age she made her debut performance on stage. Kiera will continue to fulfil her dreams and has a goal of telling her musical stories to capture the attention of audiences worldwide. This is just the start of her journey.

Matt J Ward

Matt J Ward is a singer-songwriter delivering a soulful blend of Australian country, red dirt and Americana. His recently released self-titled EP, recorded at Adelaide's Mixmasters Studio, has drawn comparisons with Neil Murray, Shane Howard and Sturgill Simpson. With soulful vocals, compelling storytelling and rich arrangements, Ward's authenticity cuts through, delivering genuine emotion and evocative snapshots of the places he's been and the intriguing life he's led.

Michaela Jenke

Hailing from the Barossa Valley, Michaela Jenke is a singer-songwriter who isn't afraid to push boundaries. A 2017 CMAA Senior Academy of Country Music graduate, Jenke has supported some of the big names in Australian country music and incorporates country rock and alternative country sounds with her raw yet honest lyrics. Her debut EP, Diamonds Outta Dirt, proves her determination to forge a career in the country music industry

The Bitter Darlings

The Bitter Darlings are a six-piece country rock outfit fronted by the enigmatic Marcello Cole who have showcased their captivating live performance alongside the likes of Tex Perkins, Bad//Dreems, William Crighton, West Thebarton and more. The Bitter Darlings debut EP, Stuart Highway, out now.

The Heggarties

Performing and writing their own material for over eight years, their recent self-titled debut album dropped at number three in the iTunes charts this June. Having showcased at the Americana Music Festival in Nashville in 2016, they will be touring early next year and will perform at The Tamworth Festival in 2018.

Workhorse

Forming in late 2016, Workhorse interpret alt-country in an Australiana way instead of Americana fashion. Led by Harriet Fraser-Barbour (Wireheads, Fair Maiden, Theta), the band also includes members of Swimming, Old Mate and Bruff Superior. Their debut album, No Sun, was released on cassette tape in April 2017 through Brisbane label Tenth Court Records, and contains seven tracks soaked in apocalyptic sunshine.