The semi-finals of the Dorset Music Awards are to be held at Mr Kyps live music venue in Poole on Saturday March 17th.
Founded in 2006, the Dorset Music Awards aims to develop the local music scene and celebrate the best musical talent on the South Coast. It offers a well-established platform, and each of the five competition stages are designed to benefit those who enter.
Trevor Hill, DMA founder and event co-ordinator, said: “When we founded the DMA we were trying to develop the local music scene, as there wasn’t much going on. It’s developed into a centre point for the Dorset music scene over the years, a network for the local community.”
Entrants are given the opportunity to perform in front of industry professionals. Some of the prizes on offer include studio recording time, a professional photo shoot, musical equipment and editing software.
“The prizes are designed to give winners some power to advance their careers, things local bands often struggle to do on their own”, explains Mr. Hill.
“One of the hardest things about the local music scene is that while bands do progress, they often get to the point where they don’t know how to break out of Bournemouth and go elsewhere.
“We bring down industry people to watch the bands perform from outside of Dorset. It gives bands a chance to break out of the local scene and take their music elsewhere”.
Saxophone player Callum Bowran has reached the semi-finals this Saturday with his Dorset-based band Know One.
He said: “Apart from Coldplay, not many bands have come out of Dorset.
“The awards have a very wide space, they’re quite prestigious. It helps us to get our music out to a lot more people.”
The overall winners will be announced on Saturday, April 14th, at the 02 Academy-hosted grand final in Bournemouth.
