It’s a bit like Christmas. It’s only 9 November 2011, but next year’s Dorset Music Awards have just been launched! The 2012 event, run by Devils Music in association with Absolute Music will no doubt raise a huge amount of interest and discussion amongst Dorset’s musicians and gig-goers. It will also have its detractors who will claim music “isn’t a competition”. We instead prefer to see it as a celebration of local music that benefits bands, musicians, venues and pretty much anyone who gets involved. There are one or two exceptions of course, mentioning no names.

Each year the organisers tweak the structure of the event, whether it be the rounds, the venues, the prizes or the voting process. This year seems to have been tweaked more than most. It has a variety of new categories, clearly allowing for a focus on recorded music (Favourite Album/EP and One Great Song) as well as the main Best Live Act prize. There are also categories for Favourite Venue and Contribution to the Music Scene, and apart from the Live prize all other categories will be voted for online.

Category nominations and band entry is available now, with the opening heat due to be held at Centre Stage on Sat 21 Jan. Everything you need to know about the Dorset Music Awards 2012 can be found on the rather impressive website, and for any band or solo artist looking to raise their profile, play quality gigs, gain more fans, sell more merch or win some quality prizes… well, what are you waiting for?

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