. . . . . Ninajirachi / Photo – Billy Zammit . . Folk Bitch Trio . . Floodlights . . . CLICK THE PIC TO VIEW THE NEWS
The 21st SOUNDMERCH
‘AUSTRALIAN MUSIC PRIZE’
2025 shortlist shortlist winner
announced this week
“It’s really special to be acknowledged for this album, we put everything we had into ‘Underneath’ and are very proud to be in the mix for the AMP amongst so many incredible Australian artists” – Louis, Floodlights
“I am extremely grateful for this music to be nominated by the Australian music prize. I poured my love and intentions into this album and feel honoured to be able to share with everyone.” – Takiaya, Divide & Dissolve
“What delight to be shortlisted for the illustrious 2025 Australian Music Prize, the only award worth winning!” – Tropical Fuck Storm
“We’re beyond honoured and grateful for SOCIAL COHESION to be shortlisted for the Australian Music Prize. This album was forged in the pickets and protests of Naarm alongside the bravest and most generous people we’ve had the pleasure of meeting. It was our job to document & timestamp the last two years as an access point for future generations to continue the work. We are so proud that the community spirit, love and resistance we poured into this body of work is being translated and acknowledged through the music.” – Mudrat
“When I got the call to say Some Kind Of Control has been shortlisted, I had just reached some signal in remote WA on my long drive home from a year-long national regional tour living in a roof top tent. It felt like another world calling, but I was so proud, and moved, to think this album has stood its ground on this beautiful land I’ve called home for 9 years. I’m a migrant, I don’t have a manager or label and this record was totally independent, made and released with friends. It rocks that we were seen in that, and that people get it. Thank you.” – Ruby Gill
“We are so grateful for this very special recognition from our home community in being shortlisted for the Australian Music Prize. These 10 songs are emblematic of our beloved collaboration, friendship and shared joy for creating meaningful music together, and we are deeply thankful to anyone who has shared in enjoying this album.” – Folk Bitch Trio
“I am beyond honoured to be shortlisted for the AMP award. So much hard work and personal growth happened in the making of this album, so to be recognised for that is so lovely and isn’t taken lightly. All my love and gratitude to the writers and producers who contributed to being in the top 9!” – Mia Wray
“Thank you so much to the Australian Music Prize for shortlisting me this year. I’m so proud to be an Aussie musician because the music that comes from country is so amazing. I can only ever hope to contribute to it meaningfully” – Ninajirachi
“As soon as The Drones won the first Australian Music Prize way back 20 years ago, we knew The Amp was going to be something different and very much needed in Australian music. Just a quick glance over the nominees for each year since (let alone the winners), proves what great company it is is be shortlisted.” – Marty Brown, Bleak Squad
THURSDAY 16 October 2025: The shortlist is in for the SoundMerch Australian Music Prize (AMP), Australia’s most prestigious award recognising and honouring the creative accomplishments of Australian musicians! This year marks the 21st anniversary, which awards $50,000 prize money to the winner. The prize is widely recognised as the most prestigious award for Australian recording artists and Australia’s most coveted accolade in the music community. Judges have listened to 465 albums since October last year and are excited to announce the following 9 shortlisted albums:
Ninajirachi “I Love My Computer”
Folk Bitch Trio “Now Would Be A Good Time”
Floodlights “Underneath”
Mudrat “Social Cohesion”
Bleak Squad “Strange Love”
Tropical Fuck Storm “Fairyland Codex”
Ruby Gill “Some Kind Of Control”
Mia Wray “hi, it’s nice to meet me”
Divide & Dissolve “Insatiable” “I thank and congratulate the judges for their efforts – it’s not easy listening to so much great music, covering all genres then having to choose only nine to make our Shortlist! Fun fact 1: Gareth and Fiona of Tropical Fuck Storm were also members of The Drones who won the 1st Australian Music Prize! Fun fact 2: Mick Turner of Bleak Squad was also Shortlisted last year with his band, The Dirty Three.” – Scott B Murphy, Founder/Prize Director
The AMP works via a 3 Stage judging system with a panel of established musicians, music retailers and music media listening to every eligible album. Each judge must agree to listen to randomly assigned albums, in full, at least once before filing a judgment. They must also agree to notify AMP administration of any personal and/or business connections to the artists who have eligible albums. In stage 2, the panel of judges listens to the nominated albums and works with the Prize Director to determine which albums will form the Shortlist (9 albums). Finally, in stage 3, the panel of judges meet, face-to-face, to decide on one winner.
Past winners and nominees have included Troye Sivan, The Avalanches, Genesis Owusu, Amyl and the Sniffers, Courtney Barnett, Hermitude and The Jezabels. Launched in 2005, The AMP celebrates a milestone of existing to discover, reward and promote new Australian music of excellence. The inaugural album and artist to win was ‘Wait Long By the River and the Bodies of Your Enemies Will Float By’ by The Drones. This year’s award ceremony will be hosted by Ryan Clapham (Dobby), a previous shortlisted artist and current judge.
The list of albums nominated for this 21st prize can be found here
The prize winner will be announced on November 6
The AMP is generously supported by sponsorship from industry businesses to cover running costs and the prize money. Sponsors include JB Hifi, Mushroom Music, EMI and Sony. Soundmerch for the 5th consecutive year continues as the principal sponsor of the prize, paying the winner the $50,000 cash prize. For the second year, the AMP has been assisted by the Australian Government through Music Australia. This strategic investment supports The AMP’s efforts in platforming new Australian music to growing audiences. The award ceremony will be held on Thursday November 6th, 2025.
The 21st SoundMerch AMP Awards is in partnership with SoundMerch and supported by the Australian Government through Music Australia.
Follow THE SOUNDMERCH AMP SOCIALS
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AMNPLIFY – DB
My nickname is “The Amnplifier”. Why? Because around here my focus is on being a conduit for providing greater outcomes that people come here for. My day to day “work” is living in the moment, and I love helping others concentrate on finding their connection to themselves through their experiences.
Why start a music environment? The truth is I love music, I love writing, and I love life. I work with musicians every day, and I feel certain that I will be until they put me in the ground. I have been managing people in businesses of some sort for over thirty five years so along the way I have developed some “wisdom” from my regular and constant “observations”.
Amnplify your experience. That is what we want you to do here, and if you want to let me know why you do, or don’t, shoot me a message on Facebook.
Hope you enjoy yourself here and find something that hits you somewhere.
