Choice Music Prize
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Choice Music Prize is a music award given annually to the best full-length Irish album based on artistic merit, regardless of genre, sales, or record label. The award was established in 2006, the same year that the similar Polaris Music Prize was established in Canada. The Choice Music Prize is modelled after the Mercury Prize, which is handed to the best British or Irish album over the past year[1]. It is co-ordinated by Dave Reid and Jim Carroll. The winning album is selected by a panel of media professionals drawn from print, radio, TV and online sectors from all over Ireland.
Contents |
[edit] Winners by year
| Year | Band | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Julie Feeney | 13 Songs |
| 2007 | The Divine Comedy | Victory for the Comic Muse |
[edit] Irish Album of the Year 2005
The prize is presented every February to the best album from the previous year, thus the 2006 prize went to the best album of 2005. In its inaugural year, the prize was won by singer-songwriter Julie Feeney, for her debut album 13 Songs. [1] She received a prize of €10,000, provided by the Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) and the Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA), and a specially-commissioned award, courtesy of the Recorded Artists And Performers Ltd (RAAP).
The event itself was held on Tuesday February 28 2006 in Vicar Street, Dublin. It was hosted by Cormac Battle from RTÉ 2fm and Alison Curtis from Today FM and featured live performances from nine of the ten shortlisted artists along with a demonstration of new animation from Eyebrowy. The only absentee act was The Chalets, who at the time were on tour in Europe with Kaiser Chiefs.[2] The acts who did perform were Bell X1, Cane 141, Joe Chester, Duke Special, Julie Feeney, Hal, Nick Kelly, Emmett Tinley and Turn.
Julie Feeney's album also benefited from a full advertising campaign from Today FM. The Choice Music Prize event was covered live on Tom Dunne’s Pet Sounds show on Today FM on the night. She has since signed a worldwide recording contract with Sony-BMG and seen sales for her album increase massively. [3]
[edit] Shortlist
- The winner is in bold. [4]
Cane 141 - "Moonpool" (Exceptional)
The Chalets - "Check-In" (Setanta)
Joe Chester - "A Murder of Crows" (Barp)
Duke Special - "Adventures In Gramophone" (Hag)
- Julie Feeney - "13 Songs" (Self-released)
Nick Kelly - "Running Dog" (Self Possessed)
Emmett Tinley - "Attic Faith" (Independent Records)
Turn - "Turn" (Setanta)
[edit] Irish Album of the Year 2006
The Album of the Year 2006 was selected by a judging panel at the Choice Music Prize event at Vicar Street, Dublin on Wednesday February 28 2007. The prize was won by The Divine Comedy for their album Victory for the Comic Muse[5] and singer-songwriter Neil Hannon expressed his surprise at receiving the accolade (repeatedly saying he was speechless during his acceptance speech).
The event was hosted by the BBC’s David "Rigsy" O’Reilly & Channel 6’s Michelle Doherty[6] and was broadcast live on Tom Dunne's Pet Sounds show on Today FM. Eight of the 10 acts nominated - Director, The Divine Comedy, Duke Special, The Immediate, David Kitt, Messiah J & The Expert, Republic of Loose and Si Schroeder performed live at the ceremony. The other two shortlisted acts, Fionn Regan and Snow Patrol, were unable to attend the event as they were both on tour, in Australia and the US respectively.
The Divine Comedy received €10,000, provided by the Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) and the Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA), and a specially-commissioned award, courtesy of the Recorded Artists And Performers Ltd (RAAP).
[edit] Shortlist
- The winner is in bold. [7]
Director - “We Thrive on Big Cities” (Atlantic)
- The Divine Comedy - “Victory for the Comic Muse” (Parlophone)
Duke Special - “Songs From the Deep Forest” (V2)
The Immediate - “In Towers & Clouds” (Fantastic Plastic)
David Kitt - “Not Fade Away” (Dublin Discs)
Messiah J & The Expert - “Now This I Have To Hear” (Inaudible)
Fionn Regan - “The End Of History” (Heffa)
Republic of Loose - “Aaagh!” (Loaded Dice)
Si Schroeder - “Coping Mechanisms” (Trust Me I’m A Thief)
Snow Patrol - “Eyes Open” (Polydor)
[edit] External links
- Official Choice Prize Website
- Aiken Promotions/Vicar Street, live event venue
- RTÉ Entertainment - Choice Music Prize for The Divine Comedy
- Choice Music Prize shortlist - Irish album of the year 2006
- Choice Music Prize shortlist - Irish album of the year 2005
- RTÉ Entertainment - Julie Feeney takes the Choice Music Prize
- Today FM congratulates Julie Feeney
- Choice Music Prize - Tickets for 2006 go on sale
