The Sigla Blog

Blog Awards, The Oscars… all awards tend to divide people and while this year’s Choice Music Prize shortlist has largely been commended for its diversity, the prize still had its wrist slapped by a handful of detractors. The main quibble has been about the lack of women on the shortlist (I voted for two albums by women, but they didn’t make the final 10). Una has an article in today’s Tribune which talks to various nominees about what the nomination has meant to them. I’m not sure I agree with the idea that “like most awards whose decisions lie with music journalists and co, the winner tends to be musically experimental and progressive”, rather I think, as Tony Clayton-Lea said in last Friday’s Ticket that Julie Feeney’s win last year “signalled a turnaround for adventurous decisions within a music community that often falls prey to obvious ones.” Feeney’s eclectic non-mainstream oeuvre still bagged her a major label deal with SonyBMG after winning the Choice prize.

Given the different musical tastes and biases of the 12 judges (music journalists, producers and presenters) the decision on the night won’t be about checking experimental boxes for the sake of it. Plus, there are some major label acts on the shortlist - Snow Patrol, The Divine Comedy and Duke Special - and any of them could win. For the judges, picking a winner will be more about consensus and awarding the prize to an album based on merit and - for me anyway - whether it was actually the best album of last year. At this stage, there are five albums I’d be content to see win, three I’d be very happy to see pick up the prize, and out of that trio, I still can’t decide which deserves it the most. So I look forward to being locked in a bunker on the night with 11 other people who know their music; to hearing their different views and fighting the corner of the albums I’d like to win. Bring it on!

If you want to see 8 of the 10 acts (Fionn Regan and Snow Patrol will be away on tour) perform on the night for a mere €25, come along to Vicar Street on Wednesday February 28th. You can also have a flutter over at Paddy Power who currently have Si Schroeder as the 6-4 favourite to win.

Links:
Choice Music Prize
Choice Music Prize on myspace