In a ceremony that marked the close of the Australian Music Week Conference
in Melbourne last week, the winner of the inaugural ‘DIG Deeper Award’ was announced.
The winner, Adelaide singer/songwriter Abbie Cardwell, received the award
from the Manager of ABC Digital Radio, Tony Walker.
Cardwell’s music “is a blend of back street jazz grooves, with elements of
soul, and an ‘edgy’ contemporary beat provided by her rhythmic percussive
guitar style.”
Over two nights, 22 acts from across Australia, performed on-stage as a
part of the Showcase program, all vying for the opportunity to go to the
South By South West Music Conference in the US. Representatives from DIG
and ABC Music also watched the artists and awarded the DIG Deeper Award for
2003 – an award designed to nurture new Australian Adult Alternative talent.
The DIG Deeper Award consists of a 6-track recording, manufacturing and
distribution deal through ABC Music.
The closing of the four-day conference also marked the beginning of the
first Melbourne International Music & Blues Festival. DIG was there to
capture all the action, which included broadcasting artists Vanessa
Amarosi, Tony Joe White, Ani Di Franco, The Revelators and Dave Graney live
online.
Also available at abc.net.au/dig now is a wrap up of the three days, with
reviews and interviews, with other concerts to be placed online in the
coming weeks.