Another Year for OC Music Awards
WEB-EXCLUSIVE: Check out photos from this year's event!
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Local musicians, bands and fans gathered at The Grove of Anaheim April 4 for the annual awards event spotlighting some of Orange County music's most talented, up-and-comers. The Orange County Music Awards, in its eighth year, welcomed new producer Luke Allen, who replaced OCMA founder and producer for the past seven years, Martin Brown. Accepting a Lifetime Achievement Award, Brown graciously expressed the need for some new blood in producing the show and his confidence in Allen's abilities.
Allen has already made changes to the show, most notably in the awards system. Previously, winners of 24 categories were chosen through a submission-based system. This year, the winners were chosen by an academy made up of Orange County’s musical elite. The titles of Best Live Band and Best Live Acoustic went to those who competed in battle-of-the-band-style showcases leading up to the show, while the People’s Choice was decided via text message by the OCMA audience.
The night's live performances offered the audience a slice of what Orange County music is serving up these days, in brisk 1 to 2-song sets – the perfect sampling for short attention spans and long awards shows.
Long-time local ska favorite, Suburban Legends, put on an energetic performance with Vince Walker as the lead singer, one of the few major changes the band has made since its inception in the late '90s.
Best New Artist and Best Surf winners, The Japanese Motors revved through an amplified set, as did show-sweepers, Venus Infers, who took home three awards: Best Album, Best Indie and Best Alternative.
Best Hip-Hop winner, Mickey Avalon, closed the show with the help of two American Apparel-clad back-up dancers doing the “Jane Fonda” – use your imagination.
MORE ORANGE COUNTY MUSIC AWARDS IMAGES HERE
