The winners of this year’s Jaxter Awards have been announced and thanks to nearly 300 entries and an increase in their quality, finding a winner was no easy task.

“The overall prize for best entry goes to Graeme Pillemer, working under the stage name Earl Gray, for his undeniably groove-infused composition ‘Bad Luck’. Described by the judges as an R&B version of Ben Harper, Graeme has created what one judge called ‘a cruisy, funky alternative country-tinged bluesy classic’. Graeme wins ,000 cash, and Mbox from Digidesign and a membership to The Can.”
You can listen to the track as well as read an interview with Graeme at http://www.jaxter.com.au/main_prize_winner.htm

Other Winners:

– Tapered Edges – ‘In a Daze’ (Rock/Indie/Pop/Metal/Hard rock)

– Kat Frankie – ‘The Wrong Side of Midnight’ (Instrumental/Acoustic/Folk/World)

– Ben Collins – ‘Big Mama Nelson’ (Jazz/Blues/Country/Classical)

– Absorb – ‘Bushfire Grudge’ (Dance/Electronic/Hip hop/R & B/Rap)

– Toni Bird – ‘No Way No How’ (Under 21)

Bios, pics and tunes at http://www.jaxter.com.au/category_winners.htm

What are the Jaxter Awards? “The Jaxter Artist Awards aim to encourage young Australian artists while at the same time supporting the Inspire Foundation which helps young people get through tough times.”

You can find out more at http://www.jaxter.com.au/