MK Award Nominees 2012: My Vote Goes To…

Boys and girls, it’s that time of year again, when we get to vote for our favourite bands and take a more realistic look at the music scene in South Africa. Well, more realistic for me anyway, and that’s who counts, because when I look at the music scene this is what I want to see. I don’t want wanky award cerimonies, with shit artists that produce crap and refuse to remove their designer sunglasses, even when inside a building. Fuck that. Give me real music. Give me the MK Awards.

(my MK Award favourites after the jump)

Last year was huge. I may have had to collect someone off the floor of a hotel passage, and I may have knocked back more alcohol than is strictly recommended if one wants to stay alive. I’m sure this year is going to be as big. It’s happening up North this time, at the Pretoria State Theatre on 23 March. There are 11 categories, and as of today, 1 February, you have one short month to vote for your favourites. Voting closes 1st of March 2012.

Here are my picks – for a full list of nominees click here.

Best Video (click to see full list)
aKing – The Runaround

(to vote click here and ‘like’ the video)

Best Newcomer

This is a tricky one for me. There is just too much awesome in the running – Mr Cat & The Jackal, Bittereinder and of course, the dudes that have been killing the live circuit of late, Shadowclub. Each has it’s appeal, each for very different reasons. Barefoot and jamming in the grass at a festival…Mr Cat wins hands down. Bittereinder has, I feel, injected some much needed ‘freshness’ into the Afrikaans rap scene, and live they are phenomenal.

But then there’s Shadowclub. This unstoppable three-piece, with more energy in each of them (even after all the gigging they are doing) than most bands put together, blasting out tune after tune that is simply fucking amazing to listen to. These dudes have done something right. They get my vote.

Shadowclub – Guns n Money

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Best Group

Another epically tough choice here. We’re looking at aKing, Bittereinder, Die Heuwels Fantasties, Zebra & Giraffe, Shadowclub, Van Coke Kartel. While aKing are always solid, I haven’t really felt their presence this year, so I’m sticking with my Best Video vote for them. As much as I’ve enjoyed the music of Die Heuwels, albeit in a very up-and-down fashion, I cannot stand their front man (Pierre), for numerous reasons I wont be getting into now. And no matter the quality of music, this alone disqualifies them from the ‘Best Group’ category, for me. Bittereinder and Shadowclub, I fear, are among the bog boys in this one and may have to wait a year. So we’re left with VCK and Z&G. Both work lank hard, and both I enjoy. It’s a close one. Too close. So I’m posting both – you can vote for whichever you want.

Van Coke Kartel – Vir Almal (not the correct video – but the correct one features below – no point in doubling up)

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Zebra & Giraffe – Undo These Lies

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Best International Hit

This is a no brainer.

Mumford & Sons – Little Lion Man

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Best SFX/Animation

Mr Cat & The Jackal, and aKing are good contenders for this one, but my favourite by far is this one from Van Coke Kartel – Ondier Kom

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Best Rock

BOOM! Taxi Violence – Long Way From Home

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Best Indie

This is easily the toughest category. Again. Last year I said something that will never be forgotten, or not mentioned, by one of the more talented gingers I know, who, once again, is in the category. Perhaps it’s because I don’t get to see Wrestlerish enough, or maybe it’s because I’ve seen a fair amount of Ashtray this year – with each show seeming to get better and better, but I have to give my vote to Ashtray. The boys have really been performing well, and their new album is nothing short of awesome. It’s a bloody close call, and I suppose this will largely go down to whether you live in north or south of SA.

Ashtray Electric Ft. Gazelle - Release

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Best Hipster (is this really a category now? Like, really really?)

When a video is directed by one of the leading members of the Hipster Coalition – Luca Vincenzo, includes bicycles, weird clothing, and has the catchy awesomeness of Holiday Murray, it’s safe to assume it’s a winner.

Holiday Murray – Jirey

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