Presented by the Society for the Preservation of Texas Music, The Austin Chronicle, and Capital Metro, the storied show’s first time on the Emo’s stage fundraised for essential artist-serving nonprofit the SIMS Foundation. Between performances by Money Chicha, Carolyn Wonderland, Greyhounds, Deezie Brown, Sir Woman and more, we rolled out the highest vote-grabbers in categories across artists, albums, and instrumentalists.
Find all the winners from the 40th Annual Austin Music Awards below:
BEST OF THE YEAR
Band of the Year: Heartless Bastards
Nominees (listed alphabetically throughout):
BLK ODYSSY
Nané
Sir Woman
Sun June
Best New Act: Pussy Gillette
Nominees:
Alexalone
Animals on TV
Chief Cleopatra
Nuevo
Musician of the Year: Charley Crockett
Nominees:
Akina Adderley
Dayglow
Sam Houston (BLK ODYSSY)
Mobley
Songwriter of the Year: James McMurtry
Nominees:
Abhi the Nomad
Amigo the Devil
Molly Burch
Erika Wennerstrom
Album of the Year: BLK ODYSSY – BLK VINTAGE
Nominees:
Deezie Brown & Jake Lloyd, Geto Gala
Alejandro Escovedo, La Cruzada
Glassing, Twin Dream
Go Fever, Velvet Fist
Money Chicha, Chica Summit
Strand of Oaks, In Heaven
Sun June, Somewhere
Tele Novella, Merlynn Belle
Jackie Venson, Love Transcends
Song of the Year: Sir Woman – “Blame It on the Water”
Nominees:
Hovvdy, “True Love”
Zach Person, “Can’t Stop Running”
Spoon, “The Hardest Cut”
Van Mary, “Connie Converse”
Music Video of the Year: Sir Woman – “Party City” (Dir. Barbara FG)
Nominees:
Calliope Musicals, “Dr. Pepper” (Dir. Kate Blaising)
Harry Edohoukwa, “Zombies” (Dir. Peter L)
Golden Dawn Arkestra, “I Deserve Success” (Dir. Ben Blanchard)
Mobley, Young & Dying in the Occident Supreme (Dir. Mobley)
BEST BY GENRE
Best Blues: Carolyn Wonderland
Nominees:
Sue Foley
Little Elmore Reed Blues Band
Eve Monsees
Buffalo Nichols
Best Country: Charley Crockett
Nominees:
Croy & the Boys
Kathryn Legendre
Mike & the Moonpies
Jonathan Terrell
Best DJ: DJ Mel
Nominees:
DJ Chorizo Funk
DJ Shani
Joaqu.n
uLovei
Best Electronic: p1nkstar
Nominees:
Botany
Henry Invisible
Paul Oakenfold
Qrion
Best Experimental: Glasshealer
Nominees:
Blank Hellscape
Future Museums
More Eaze
USA/Mexico
Best Folk/Bluegrass: David Ramirez
Nominees:
The Deer
Natalie Jane Hill
Tony Kamel
Little Mazarn
Best Hip-Hop/Rap: Magna Carda
Nominees:
Chucky Blk
Deezie Brown
Mama Duke
J Soulja
Best Jazz: Ephraim Owens
Nominees:
Elias Haslinger
Nori
Altin Sencalar
Red Young
Best Latin: Gina Chavez
Nominees:
El Combo Oscuro
Money Chicha
Shiela
Kiko Villamizar
Best Metal: We Don’t Ride Llamas
Nominees:
Glassing
Portrayal of Guilt
Spirit Adrift
Witchcryer
Best Pop: Molly Burch
Nominees:
Dayglow
Primo the Alien
Kady Rain
TC Superstar
Best Punk: Sailor Poon
Nominees:
Big Bill
Hotmom
Pocket Fishrmen
Pussy Gillette
Best Rock: The Dead Coats
Nominees:
Alexalone
Go Fever
Zach Person
Nolan Potter’s Nightmare Band
Best Soul/R&B: BLK ODYSSY
Nominees:
Jake Lloyd
Eimaral Sol
Aaron Stephens
Tomar & the FCs
Best World: Golden Dawn Arkestra
Nominees:
Atash
Ley Line
Nemegata
Zoumountch
BEST AUSTIN MUSICIANS
Best Vocalist: TIE – Ruthie Foster & Kelsey Wilson (Sir Woman)
Nominees:
Molly Burch
Daniel Sahad (Nané)
Eimaral Sol
Best Drummer/Percussionist: J.J. Johnson
Nominees:
Stephen Bidwell
Gregory Clifford
Daniel Dufour
Masumi Jones
Best Guitarist: Carolyn Wonderland
Nominees:
Cat Clemons III
Willie Pipkin
Alejandro Rios
Nay Wilkins
Best Horns: Ephraim Owens
Nominees:
Big Wy’s Brass Band
Jason Frey
Elias Haslanger
Andre Hayward
Best Pianist/Keyboardist: Emily Gimble
Nominees:
Henri Herbert
JaRon Marshall
Micah Motenko
Dr. James Polk
Best Miscellaneous Instrument: Sweet Gary Newcomb – pedal steel
Nominees:
Birdlegg, harmonica
Jeff Johnston, saw
Mobley, audience member drum
Sadie Wolfe, cello
Best Strings/Fiddle: Warren Hood
Nominees:
Beth Chrisman
Alvin Crow
Dennis Ludiker
Blake Whitmaire
Best Bassist: Sarah Brown
Nominees:
Kinseli Baricuatro
Marcus Bell
Sam Pankey
Kevin Smith
We had an even more intimate awards ceremony for the Austin Music Industry Awards earlier this month. You can find that list of winners on its own page. They deserve it!
This article appears in March 4 • 2022.