LWM Awards 2023 - The Winners
So here we are, the year is nearly up and it has been a whopper. I want to point out that everyone that gets reviewed on this blog has created something of beauty and everyone creating music should be applauded for just being brave enough to pick up an instrument or a pen. However, some people are braver more creative than others so, like I said, here we are: the winners.
Best Band (UK) 2023 Winner
Chappaqua
Wrestling – The
London collective blew up this year with an intensely brilliant album, live
shows up the wazoo and a plan that stretches way in to 2024 (and hopefully
beyond). 2023 belonged to Chappaqua Wrestling.
Previous Winners
2022 Winner – Wooze
2021 Winner – Pattern
Pusher
2020 Winner – Erotic Secrets
of Pompeii
2019 Winner – Dinosaur
Pile-Up
2018 Winner – Black
Futures
2017 Winner – Rews
2016 Winner – Narcs /
Berries
2015 Winner – Allusondrugs
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Best Band (South West) 2023 Winner
Previous Winners
2022 Winner
– Colour TV
2021 Winner
– Long For The Coast
2020 Winner
– Moriaty
2019 Winner
– Pattern Pusher
2018 Winner
– The Velvet Hands
2017 Winner
– The Malthusian Trap
2016 Winner
– Wildwood Kin
2015 Winner – Lost Dawn / Sound of the Sirens
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Best Band (International) 2023 Winner
NOBRO (Canada) – Punk, rock, pop, fun, gigs,
gangs, girls and brewskis, all of this and more is wrapped in the world of
Canadian quartet NOBRO. It all comes spewing out of their latest album which
fizzes with live energy, passion and a need to be in a band. God bless NOBRO
for bringing that energy in to 2023.
Previous Winners
2022 Winner
– M(h)aol (Republic of Irleand)
2021 Winner
– Monowhales (Canada)
2020 Winner
– Larkin Poe (USA)
2019 Winner
– Fontaines D.C. (Republic of Ireland)
2018 Winner
– The Nectars (USA)
2017 Winner – Parekh &
Singh (India)
2016 Winner
– The Watanabes (Japan)
2015 Winner – Failure
Machine (USA)
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Best Solo Male (UK) 2023 Winner
Granfalloon – Mancunian artist Granfalloon (aka Richard Lomax to his mum) has been a consistently brilliant force over the years I’ve been writing this blog and sometimes consistency gets over-looked. Not this year though, this is the year that consistency and brilliance collide to form Granfalloon.
Previous Winners
2022 Winner
– Joe Hicks
2021 Winner
– Mrley
2020 Winner
– Riaz Ahmad
2019 Winner
– Xam Volo
2018 Winner
– Joshua Kyeot
2017 Winner
– Jamie Lenman
2016 Winner
– Jake Morley
2015 Winner
– Cosmo Sheldrake
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Best Solo Male (South West) 2023 Winner
Paul Armer – Westcountry blues’n’roots man Paul Armer has been straddling the Tamar for a long time now, bringing his finger-picking and unique vocal to bars, venues and the back of a van but the release of his debut album this year sealed his credentials. Big things this way come.
Previous Winners
2022 Winner
– Andy Quick
2021 Winner
– Jamie Yost
2020 Winner
– Ollie Dixon
2019 Winner
– Samantics
2018 Winner
– Matthew Gordon Price
2017 Winner
– Gozer Goodspeed/Martyn Crocker
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Best Solo Male (International) 2023 Winner
Ben Harper (USA) – It’s almost unfair putting anyone up against Ben Harper, such is the man’s legendary status and brilliance of songwriting. However, it would also be unfair to overlook an artist who has consistently innovated, created and is criminally underrated – especially in a year when he produced another outstanding album.
Previous Winners
2022 Winner – Fantastic
Negrito (USA)
2021 Winner – Yves Paquet (Belgium)
2020 Winner – Jacknife Lee
(Republic of Ireland)
2019 Winner – Duckwrth
(USA)
2018 Winner – Simon Lynge
(Greenland)
2017 Winner – Noah Gundersen
(USA)
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Best Solo Female (UK) 2023 Winner
Mega – I hadn’t heard of Mega until this year but she kept popping with superb singles followed by an excellent EP until it was impossible to ignore her soulful, classy and perfected pop sound. I’ve heard rumours of an album but for now there is plenty of brilliance to luxuriate in.
Previous Winners
2022 Winner – Nina Nesbitt
2021 Winner
– Penfriend
2020 Winner
– Tina Boonstra
2019 Winner
– Lauran Hibberd
2018 Winner
– Pip Hall
2017 Winner
– Poppy Ackroyd
2016 Winner
– Joanna Cooke / Lulu James
2015 Winner
– Malka
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Best Solo Female (South West) 2023 Winner
Mae Karthauser – Totnes based Mae Karthauser has been a long-term favourite of mine but her album released this year displayed a renewed vigour and love for the creation of songs that sound different to anyone else and take you to a world that is far, far away from the one we are forced to live in.
Previous Winners
2022 Winner
– Sounds Like Lily
2021 Winner
– Maisy Grace
2020 Winner
– Yazzy
2019 Winner
– Rise
2018 Winner
– Joanna Cooke
2017 Winner
– Rosie the Crow
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Best Solo Female (International) 2023 Winner
Bludnymph (Canada) – If you’re looking for an innovative and creative artist then you’d be hard pushed to find anyone to top Bludnymph who creates from a visual and audio perspective with real attention to detail. Couple that with some seriously infectious songs and it wouldn’t surprise me if this Canadian artist took over in 2024 – you heard it heard first.
Previous Winners
2022 Winner – Jaguar Jonze
(Australia)
2021 Winners – Chaii (New
Zealand)/UPSAHL (USA)
2020 Winner – Madison Beer
(USA)
2019 Winners – Tami Neilson (Canada/Australia)/Mavis
Staples (USA)
2018 Winner
– Grace Inspace (USA)
2017 Winner
– Deqn Sue (USA)
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Best Single 2023 Winner
The Derevolutions ‘Cheetah’ - It was incredibly tough picking this winner as it always is but I don't think I will ever forget the excitement and exhilaration of hearing 'Cheetah' by the Derevolutions. Indie, pop, Big-beat and a fair bit of 90s nostalgia all mixed together in to a glorious, meandering and unpredictable slice of fun.
Previous Winners
2022 Winner – Joe Hicks ‘Mirror Mirror’
2021 Winner
– Fickle Friends ‘Love You To Death’
2020 Winner
– The Clockworks ‘Enough Is Never Enough’
2019 Winner
– Ferris & Sylvester ‘I Dare You’ / Bicuruious ‘I Don’t Do Drugs, I Just
Sweat A Lot’
2018 Winner
– X Ambassadors ‘Joyful’
2017 Winner
– She Makes War ‘I Want My Country Back’ / Moses ‘King Size’
2016 Winner
– Mowbeck ‘Vaseline’ / Childcare ‘Cinema Club’
2015 Winner
– Azu Yeche ‘Lagos’
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Best EP 2023 Winner
Maimuna
Memon ‘More Than I Bargained For’ / Saint Levant ‘From Gaza With Love
Call me
crazy but I’ve had to share out the award for Best EP this year between two
brilliantly crafted but individual EPs. Maimuna Memon’s ‘More Than I Bargained
For’ is a superb collection of carefully crafted songs delivered with beauty,
soul and a deft touch. Meanwhile, Saint Levant’s ‘From Gaza With Love’ is an eclectic,
genre-blending masterpiece that captures an artist at the peak of his creative
powers. Both brilliant, both different.
Previous Winners
2022 Winner
– Nobro ‘Love Your Truth Shred Some Gnar’
2021 Winner
– Wooze ‘Get Me To A Nunnery’
2020 Winner
– Tina Boonstra ‘City of Doubt’
2019 Winner
– Sick Joy ‘Them Days’
2018 Winner
– Jones ‘New York’
2017 Winner
– Mux ‘Can You See Who?’
2016 Winner
– Joanna Cooke ‘Wound Up’ / Bare Hunter ‘Dry Rot’
2015 Winner
– Alex Gregory ‘Critical Perfection EP’
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Best Album 2023 Winner
Chappaqua Wrestling ‘Plus Ultra’ / Corinne Bailey Rae ‘Black Rainbow’
It was a tough one to call this year with so many outstanding albums but these two stood out above the crowd. Chappaqua Wrestling’s ‘Plus Ultra’ restored my faith in the British indie-rock album’s ability to actually say something about the times we live in. Meanwhile, Corinne Bailey Rae reinvented herself on ‘Black Rainbow’ to create an album that explores genre, style, attitude and freedom in one glorious collection of songs. Get them both, absorb them both, love them both.
Previous Winners
2022 Winner
– Jamie Lenman ‘The Atheist’
2021
Winners – Zuzu ‘Queensway Tunnel’/UPSAHL ‘Lady Jesus’
2020
Winners – Nana Adjoa ‘Big Dreaming Ants’/Moriaty ‘The Die Is Cast’
2019
Winners – William the Conqueror ‘Bleeding on the Soundtrack’ / X Ambassadors
‘Orion’
2018
Winners – The Nectars ‘Sci-Fi Television’ / Henge ‘Attention! Earth’
2017
Winners – Noah Gundersen ‘White Noise’ / Rews ‘Pyro’
2016
Winners – Narcs ‘A Thinking Animal’ / Jake Morley ‘The Manual
2015
Winners – Lost Dawn / Malka
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Best Video 2023 Winner
Malka ‘What You Get Out’ – Bringing back the flash-mob but with kids and in centre of Glasgow was a bold move but, when coupled with an uplifting pop anthem, Malka managed to pull it off and still imbue the whole things with a sense of fun which is doubly impressive.
Previous
Winners
2022 Winner
– Wooze ‘Huge Axeman’
2021 Winner
– Middle Kids ‘Questions’
2020 Winner
– Spang Sisters ‘Eddie Murphy’
2019 Winner
– Penguin Café ‘Chapter’
2018 Winner
– Calva Louise ‘Tug of War’ / LibraLibra ‘Tongues’
2017 Winner
– Vei ‘Rolling on You Romeo’
2016 Winner
– Michelle O Faith ‘Lemonade’
2015 Winner
– Husky ‘I’m Not Coming Back’
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Best Live Show 2023 Winner
Jamie Lenman + Blank Atlas + Moosehead @ the Junction, Plymouth – I went to A LOT of live shows this year but nothing even came close to the power of these three artists piling rock upon rock, song upon song, riff upon riff. It was a perfectly chosen line-up in the perfectly sized venue topped off with finally getting to see one of my heroes live as Mr Lenman sealed the deal.
Previous
Winners
2022 Winner
– Bicurious @ the Underground, Plymouth
2021 Winner
– Bailey Tomkinson @ Panda Fest, Lanivet
2020 Winner
– Wille Edwards & Andy Quick @ the Village Hall, Downderry
2019 Winner
– Shihad @ the Thekla, Bristol
2018 Winner
– Looe Saves the Day Festival, Looe
2017 Winner
– Wildwood Kin @ The Brook Inn, Plymouth
2016 Winner
– Blogtober 2016 feat. Berries/Pattern Pusher/Seaker/Jamie Yost/Rosa
Belle
2015 Winner
– Tankus the Henge @ Looe Music Festival
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Best Name 2023 Shortlist
All Day Breakfast Café – I love music, I love food, I particularly love Breakfast and I love cafes. There was only ever going to be one winner and the fact that this London collective write brilliant songs as well is just a massive bonus.
Previous
Winners
2022 Winner
– Robocobra Quartet
2021 Winner
– Mandrake Handshake
2020 Winner
– Death By Unga Bunga
2019 Winner
– Those Fucking Snowflakes
2018 Winner
– Have You Ever Seen the Jane Fonda Aerobic VHS?
2017 Winner
– Playboy Manbaby
2016 Winner
– Yes Babez! / Taco Hell / Queen of Jeans
2015 Winner
– Get Inuit / Rangleklods
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Best Debut 2023 Winner
Maisy Grace ‘Based On A True Story’ – There had been a lot leading up to this release to suggest that Maisy Grace’s debut album was going to be good but I’m not sure anyone was prepared for just how fresh, innovative and packed full of great songs ‘Based On A True Story’ is. Not bad for someone not old enough to drink in America…legally.
Previous Winners
2022
Winners – Peaness ‘World Full Of Worry’/The Assist ‘Council Pop’
2021 Winner
– DEJA ‘Intro EP’
2020 Winner
– Nana Adjoa ‘Big Dreaming Ants’
2019 Winner
– Gazel ‘Gazel’s Book of Souls’
2018 Winner
– Georgia Fearn ‘Perfect on Paper’
2017 Winner
– Black Futures ‘Karma, Ya Dig?’
2016 Winner
– Berries ‘Siren’
2015 Winner
– Vanessa Forero ‘Heaven Knows’
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Best Year 2023 Winner
Big Special – It’s been a crazy year for Midlands duo Big Special but I suspect next year is going to be even crazier as their brutal but infectious tracks have caught the attention of not just this humble blogger but also a rapidly growing number of fans and critics alike. Here’s to more of that, yes please.
Previous Winners
2022
Winners – Peaness/The Assist
2021 Winner
- Cherym
2020 Winner
– Lack of Afro
2019 Winner
– Deux Furiesues
2018 Winner
- Idles
2017 Winner
- Cassels
2016 Winner
– Wildwood Kin
2015 Winner
– Sound of the Sirens
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Best PR 2023 Shortlist
Big Mouth Publicity – This might be a one-woman operation but that one woman has brought us some amazing music over the years and 2023 is no exception. We’ve been treated to releases from the likes of Fatoumata Diawara, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits, William the Conqueror, Ben Harper and a bunch of others.
Previous
Winners
2022 Winner
– Stay Golden PR
2021 Winner
– Wall of Sound PR
2020 Winner
– Sonic PR
2019 Winner
– Prescription PR
2018 Winner
– Fine Company
2017 Winner
– Cannonball PR
2016 Winner
– Wilful Publicity
2015 Winner
– Hannah Gould Music PR
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Best Label 2023 Shortlist
RCA – Now I’m normally one for supporting the ‘little guy’ but RCA have had an outstanding year releasing music from some extremely talented young and established artists alike. Purple Disco Machine, Flo Milli, Doja Cat, UPSHAL, Talia Mar and Cannons all released brilliant new music on the label and that should always be celebrated.
Previous
Winners
2022 Winner
- Jalapeno Records
2021 Winner
– Tantrum Records
2020 Winner
– Alcopop! Records
2019 Winner
– Say Something Records
2018 Winner
– Integrity Records
2017 Winner
– Cooking Vinyl
2016 Winner
– Superfan 99
2015 Winner
– Clue Records