Guardian and Observer clean up at music journalism awards
Radiohead's Thom Yorke on the cover of OMM which won best editor last night
Newspapers The Guardian and The Observer stole the show at last night’s 2008 Record Of The Day Awards for Music Journalism and PR (phew) when they walked away with five gongs. The Word was named magazine of the year.
Caspar Llewellyn-Smith, editor of Observer Music Monthly bagged the editor of the year award for the second consecutive year. The Guardian was celebrated for it’s music content winning best music coverage in a national newspaper and best podcast. The Guardian’s Alexis Petridis was named record reviews writer of the year and The Observer’s Kitty Empire won the 2008 live reviews writer award.
Other winners included Dog Day Press (best independent PR company) and Polydor (best in-house PR department).
The highlight of the eveing came when legendary British music journalism Jon Savage was honoured when he received the outstanding contribution to music journalism award.
Representing the artdesks up and down the country was Pennie Smith who picked up the outstanding contribution to music photography award.
MBC PR co-founder Barbara Charone won the outstanding contribution to music PR awards and
The awards took place at Conway Hall, London.
The full list of the 2008 Record of the Day Award winners is as follows:
- Live Reviews Writer of the Year: Kitty Empire – The Observer
- Best PR campaign for a breakthrough UK Act: Tony Linkin at Coalition PR for Glasvegas
- Best PR campaign for an established UK Act: Lewis Jamieson at Hall Or Nothing PR for Elbow
- Record Reviews Writer of the Year: Alexis Petridis – The Guardian
- Best Music Coverage in a Newspaper: The Guardian
- Business and Technology Writer of the Year: Ben Cardew – Music Week
- Best PR campaign for an established non-UK Act: James Hopkins at Columbia Records for Kings of Leon
- Best PR Campaign for a Breakthrough Non-UK Act: Ash Collins at Toast PR for MGMT
- Best Podcast: Guardian Music Weekly
- Best Editor: Caspar Llewellyn Smith – Observer Music Monthly
- Best Independent PR Company: Dog Day Press
- Best Independent PR individual: Nathan Beazer at Dog Day Press
- Best Digital Publication: NME.COM
- Best in-house PR person: Andy Prevezer at Warner Bros Records
- Best In-House PR department: Polydor Records
- Artist and Music Features – Writer of The Year: Simon Cosyns and Jacqui Swift – The Sun, Something for the Weekend
- Breaking Music Writer: Paul Lester
- Magazine of the Year: The Word
- Best Blog: 20 Jazz Funk Greats
- Best Online PR: Scruffy Bird
- Outstanding contribution to music journalism: Jon Savage
- Outstanding contribution to PR: Barbara Charone – MBC PR
- Outstanding contribution to music photography: Pennie Smith
That classic image of The Clash's Paul Simonon captured by Pennie Smith
If you’re into your music journalism you’ll know who this guy is below (he’s the legendary Beatnik muso Lester Bangs for any of you who don’t):
Discussion:
Are you thinking of a career in music journalism? Are you already writing music pieces? Want you share them? Leave a comment with your experience in the music journalism world here (the editor is a freelancer for Drowned in Sound when it suits him so he’ll be keen to chat on the subject)
Words: Dean Samways
The Scribbler 
I’ve been a Music Journalist for 4 years now and have gotten my name out into the open for a while now. I started my career for writing for my middle school newspaper then moved on to my high school newspaper and then joined the ranks of some online magazines and a few print magazines as well.
I’ve already interviewed over 50 artists and written over 100 reviews ranging from CD reviews to DVD reviews to concert reviews, to shooting photography of band’s performances. I’ve done it all and all the mere age of 21!
I also currently have 3 books out, two detailing and showing my inspiring work, “Music Bites,” and “Music Bites Back”. Both of which contain all the interviews, and reviews, and articles I’ve currently done so far into my Journalism career.
I think it would be a great honor to someday win an award such as this one the Music Journalism Award,that would be the cherry on top of my dream cake. Moving along if you think you would like my skills or possibly nominate me for an award ha feel free to contact me and thanks for reading! Laterz!
Natalie Perez
December 18, 2008 at 4:33 am
I have been a Music Journalist for about 4 -5 years now,
I dont get paid, and i need to,
I write for many places monthly, and i have my own website for music reviews i have written,and my friend who runs music fanbiz with me has writen,
we write for many places like punk globe, in LA
Muen Magazine, I have even appeared in my local newspaper, for local bands, and other zines online, and the odd article in a few magazines,
But why dont people and companys pay writers for their writing,
I want to be a paid freelance, not unpaid, and i am starting to need some credit for my many years of hard work
Any help would be greatly appreciated,
Many Thanks,
Lisa Booth ~ Music Fanbiz
Lisa Booth
February 12, 2009 at 4:48 pm
i seriously love your writing taste, very helpful.
don’t quit as well as keep creating as it just simply very well worth to look through it.
looking forward to browse alot more of your current stories, have a pleasant day 😉
insalibia
February 11, 2010 at 8:05 am