SoundMerch Australian Music Prize Unveils 2024 Shortlist

The time has come for the music industry to start thinking about the best albums of the year. For the Australian Music Prize, the winning artist is set to win $50,000—no pressure!

Today, the nine shortlisted albums, which a panel of judges operating within the music industry whittled down after months of listening, have been announced.

So, without further ado, here are the nine shortlisted nominees up for the win for this year’s SoundMerch Australian Music Prize:

The 20th SoundMerch Australian Music Prize shortlisted artists are:

Audrey Powne – From The Fire

Amyl And The Sniffers – Cartoon Darkness

DOBBY – Warrangu; River Story

Grace Cummings – Ramona

Hiatus Kaiyote – Love Heart Cheat Code

Kankawa Nagarra – Wirlmarni

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Wild God

Rowena Wise – Senseless Acts Of Beauty

The Dirty Three – Love Changes Everything

The AMP judging panel listened to over 600 albums released by Australian artists between 28 October 2023 and 25 October 2024. The prestigious award celebrates music released in the album format, and a diverse range of artists has been enjoyed over the last year.

Scott Murphy, Founder and Director of the Australian Music Prize, said of this year’s shortlisted nominees: “On behalf of The AMP, SoundMerch, our industry partners - and the Aussie music industry as a whole, I sincerely thank our judges for their donation of time, expertise - and passion! It's no easy task reviewing over 600 albums and choosing to highlight just 9.”

Audrey Powne commented on her nomination: “I am deeply honoured my debut album From the Fire has been shortlisted for the Australian Music Prize. Making this album was cathartic on a number of fronts, including the decision to self-produce. This recognition is very meaningful and validating.”

Amyl And The Sniffers’ Dec Mehrtens added, “We are grateful to be shortlisted for this prize. Australian music is dear to our hearts, and we are incredibly proud to be able to create and perform the music we make.”

DOBBY said, “I'm incredibly honoured to be shortlisted for the Australian Music Prize! WARRANGU tells the greater story of ‘Australia,’ our land and our rivers. I thank every single person that has listened to this story, because, ultimately, you are part of it – ‘All these rivers they lead back to you.’”

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds said, “Wild God has made it on to the short list. Thank you to everyone for their support. It means a great deal to us to be recognised by AMP.”

Rowena Wise concluded, “I'm honoured to be shortlisted for the Australian Music Prize this year with Senseless Acts of Beauty. I had the most fun making this album with Rob Muinos, we got into a deep zone. I put a very real part of me into every moment of its creation and delivery.

“To know this album sits alongside a high calibre of other wonderful Aussie albums is deeply humbling. I cherish the feeling that people are connecting with my music in any way, so it means even more to me to feel such a tangible connection by being shortlisted for this.”

Last year, Melbourne indie rockers RVG won the Australian Music Prize. The winner of this year’s award will be revealed at the SoundMerch Australian Music Prize event at the Sydney APRA AMCOS building on Wednesday, 4 December.