Nominations for the public-voted categories of the Music Victoria Awards were announced last week with talent from Castlemaine and surrounds featuring heavily.
The Taproom and the Theatre Royal were both nominated in the Best Established Regional Venue/Presenter category, with local musicians DEAD and Jess Parker nominated for Best Regional Act.
The Theatre Royal Castlemaine has won three Music Victoria Awards in the past, but this has not dampened their excitement.
“It’s a great feeling to be recognised by the wider music community in Victoria for our efforts,” said Felicity Cripps, co-owner of the Theatre Royal.
“Coming out of Covid has been the hardest battle of them all, so this nomination is a reminder that we’re doing great and how lucky we are to be hosting such world-class artists in our little corner of the world,” she said.
Jess Parker, who celebrated the release of her most recent album Bread & Butter last month, was bowled away by the nomination.
“It is such an honour to be nominated. I got the email and then cried for about an hour,” Jess said.
“It was a big, big moment for this humble picker from Campbells Creek.”
Jem Moloney, from Castlemaine two-piece band DEAD, felt equally honoured.
“Castlemaine and Central Victoria has a really strong representation in these nominations, which is a reflection of how much talent we have in our community,” Jem said.
“On a personal level it’s nice for us, because we have a huge amount of respect and admiration for Jess, The Taproom and the Theatre Royal. Given the sort of music we play, we’re usually consigned to the ‘heavy’ category, so it’s really great to be sitting in amongst such a diverse group of artists,” he said.
Doug Falconer from The Taproom said that it felt great to be in such fine company.
“Supporting live music is the integral to what we do here at The Taproom. It’s part of the lifeblood of our town.”
The Music Victoria Awards are an annual awards program celebrating Victorian music, established in 2005. The Public-Voted categories include Best Album, Best Song, Best Group, Best Solo Artist, Best Metro and Regional Festivals and much more.
Other local nominees include CresFest (Best Regional Festival) and the Palais-Hepburn (Best Established Regional Venue/Presenter), along with the Golden Vine Hotel in Bendigo and The Daylesford Hotel (Best Regional Venue/Presenter, Under 50 gigs).
Voting for the awards is open until November 21 so be sure to cast your vote for your local faves at www.musicvictoria.com.au
