Your Guide To The 2017 SAM Awards Pop Nominees

Bjéar

How does one translate and distill journey and inspiration into music? Bjear is an attempt at capturing an idea - a bigger dream and picture. With malleable songs, setlists, and line-ups that breathe and change, Bjear - as a solo performance from creator and curator Brae McKee, or a packed stage full of brass and strings - adapts to tell a fitting story and narrative of the time.

Buddy J Francis

After growing frustrated with playing in bands for several years, James Francis (aka Buddy J Francis) decided to purchase a modest home recording set up. For the past three years he has used all instruments at my disposal (drums, bass, guitar etc) to make music that spans genres such as progressive rock, jazz and more. All lyrics have a humorous undertone (or at least an attempt at humour), whilst simultaneously trying to cover serious issues.

Cabin Cults

Cabin Cults play the soundtrack to stories of the other. The band’s driving synths and crashing guitars walk the line between post-punk and psych, framing their songs and distinctive vocal lines. The fraternity of Cabin Cults, made up of brothers and friends, hails from the city of churches where the myth of purity amongst the reality of depression is evident throughout the city.

Dean Forever

New Adelaide-based dream-pop duo Dean Forever have a modern sound mixed with an era you just can’t place. They deliver a sound catchy and eclectic - with full driving rhythms that audiences have to groove to, and heart-felt feminine vocals. Having performed together in nameable rock and jazz projects, Jakub Tengdahl and Kiah Lanagan have chemistry on stage that only time can bring. With a debut single tour complete, another on it's way and the full self-titled album out in December.

Dino Jag

A South Australian treasure and quickly becoming a recognised name internationally, Dino Jag is currently enjoying great success with his latest Breakthrough EP. Recorded at the legendary Sunset Sound Studios in Hollywood with Grammy Award-winning producer Jeff Bova at the helm, the album has become another major milestone for Jag. The first single off the EP, Two Young Hearts, was awarded second place at the 2016 International Unsigned Music Awards.

Germein Sisters

A crucial career leap into the international arena five years ago, Germein Sisters continue their annual European festival circuit culminating in The Isle of Wight Festival, UK. Infectious indie pop tunes, signature harmonies and euphoric live show have enabled them to tour with Ronan Keating and Naturally 7 (Germany). They have proudly achieved global chart and industry accolades, cred and an unprecedented international success on behalf of their home state and will continue to do so in the future.

Heaps Good Friends

Heaps Good Friends is writing buddies Emma and Nick getting their txt msg lyrics on in a Peanut Brittle Pop sound. They met 10 years ago in the old Gladstone Gaol in South Australia where Nick recorded Emma’s first demo in the K wing. HGF hit their stride with singles Let’s Hug Longer and Olympic Sneakers landing rotation with the triple j clan and touring nationally with The Jungle Giants. Toilet paper on your shoe? HGF welcome you.

Kayne

“Hey, this is a song I wrote with my friend Shah-Rae Weaver.”

LEO

Heavily influenced by their love for vintage pop, R&B and visuals, LEO is a natural bi-product of every resource they have. Members Tom Montesi, Ilia Martini, Jae Curtis and Matt Schirripa bring a relevant sound to the music they grew up on.

Lorelai

Pop artist Lorelai, originally from Augsburg Germany, is a singer-songwriter who has been performing for many years. After seizing an opportunity to move to Australia in 2010, her career in music has continued to gain momentum. After playing gigs around the South Australian music scene, she crossed paths with esteemed producer Eslev who has worked with the likes of Jess Kent, Full Tote Odds & Purpose; They decided to team up to work on a new LP titled Unlocked, which dropped earlier this year.

Neon Tetra

Sixth months after their debut, Neon Tetra had achieved radio success with EP Dos as well as a range of guest supports for Miami Horror, The Belligerents, Ecca Vandal and APES. The members blend modulated analog synthesizer with rhythmic grooves and high energy percussion - forming a sonic presence reminiscent of the late '60s. Neon Tetra's latest release, Reflections, dives wholeheartedly into the band's passion for funk and soul, detailing their ongoing capacity to explore and create.

Rachael Leahcar

Singer-songwriter Rachael Leahcar’s latest album, Shadows, marks her transformation from a shy teen to a captivating live performer. With her signature hauntingly-beautiful vocals and a national Australian tour scheduled for November, Leahcar is ready to expose not only her vulnerabilities and fears but also to share her message of resilience and determination to face the world head on.

Runaway Weekend

Runaway Weekend have come from vastly different musical backgrounds, spanning from musical theatre to metal. Their debut release, Déjà Vu, reached 150,000 streams on Spotify and led to landing supporting slots for Chase Atlantic, Little Sea, With Confidence, As It Is (UK) and ASTA. Runaway Weekend are currently back in the studio recording the much anticipated follow up to their first EP, with release set for late 2017.

Sam Sun

Sam Sun is a Nigerian pop musician and multi-instrumentalist who channels his love for all aspects of life through genre bending music. He blends all his passions into incredibly powerful music for "the body, mind, and soul".

Shah-Rae Weaver

Shah-Rae Weaver is an 18-year-old singer-songwriter who is in love with all things music. She loves peforming and doing little gigs around her city and is currently working on her first album.

Something To Rescue

Influenced by artists such as James Bay and Maroon 5, Something To Rescue has just released their third EP, When I Come Home.

Sword In Stone

After releasing a demo in the winter of 2014, Sword In Stone were quick to turn heads and swiftly forge their name into the Adelaide music scene. Forming the band over their love for pop harmonies and jangly guitars.

Tamara Seeley

Tamara Seeley is a seasoned vocalist/writer who throughout the past 10 years has performed across the globe. In 2015, Seeley released her debut EP, Gold Armour. 2015 was also the year that she was a semifinalist for Unsigned Only for her original track Brave Together - the only South Australian to make the cut. Her latest pop/soul single, Old Skool Love, was released on Valentines Day.

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Thom Lion & The Tamers

Thom Lion is a ramshackle pop music treasure emerging from Adelaide's beachside suburbs. With his rebellious cohorts The Tamers in tow, Thom Lion spent 2016 gaining airplay on a host of leading radio networks with their new EP, Sleep Riots, recorded in Melbourne with legendary producer John Castle (Vance Joy, Josh Pyke). The band has travelled the country supporting the likes of The Rubens, The Waifs and British India and at top Australian music festivals. New is music coming later this year.

Tkay Maidza

In the past few years, singer/rapper Tkay Maidza has risen out of the underground to emerge as one of Australia’s most electrifying artists. With her rapid-fire flow, frenetic beats, and inventive lyrics. Her debut album TKAY was released in late 2016 which was critically acclaimed and saw her preform globally at some of the worlds biggest festivals as well as dominating stages and shows at home.