The 32nd Annual San Diego Music Awards / April 25

If you’re a fan of San Diego’s incredible music scene you won’t want to miss the 32nd Annual San Diego Music Awards, taking place on April 25 at Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay. Awards will be handed out in 28 categories, from hip hop to pop, with performances on tap from jazz icon Gilbert Castellanos, rising rockers Daring Greatly, Americana favorites

Jeff Berkley & The Banned, indie rock upstarts The Inflorescence, vocalist extraordinaire Earl Thomas & the Gospel Ambassadors and blues favorite Anthony Cullins. Also on hand will be Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, guitarist Mike Keneally, who has worked with a long list of artists including Frank Zappa, Andy Partridge and Dethklok. For music aficionados it’s a gathering that can’t be beat, with much of the area’s top musicians, DJ’s, promoters and other movers and shakers in attendance. Open to the public, the all-ages event kicks off at 7 p.m.

How do the artists feel to be nominated? “I’m excited for the opportunity to possibly reach a wider audience than we might otherwise reach as a result of these nominations,” said Josh Taylor, who scored nods both as a solo artist for his album, Unscene (Best Pop Album) and with his band, the King Taylor Project (Best R&B, Funk or Soul Song / Song of the Year, “Devil in the White City”). “Unscene is my first solo album in seven years, and it represents the results of a long period of growth as an artist in various performance scenarios, both at home in San Diego and on the road.”

He notes the King Taylor Project singles are that combo’s first official releases, “so to receive nominations for both my solo album and those singles is incredibly gratifying. Sandi (King) and I feel a profound connection to our music community here, and we have spent many years trying to uplift and support other musicians through various events, services, and collaborations, so it’s especially rewarding to be recognized by that community.”

For Dakota Ringer of The Naked I (Best Pop Artist), part of the awards appeal is the company of musicians they are included in. “It’s incredible! This community is so vast and talented, I am blown away every time I see our name mentioned amongst some of the greatest musicians in town. I cannot be thankful enough for the support it took in order to reach a milestone like this.”

Meanwhile, Tamar Berk (Best Pop Album, Start at the End / Best Pop Artist) is pleased with her nomination for more personal reasons. “I’m thrilled,” said Tamar Berk. “This album was written, recorded and released within a year of my father’s death and it was the hardest time in my life. I can’t say the making of this album was enjoyable because I was overwhelmed with grief and emotions. I poured everything into this album and it was cathartic in a lot of ways. I’m very proud of this album and being nominated is extremely meaningful.”

Many musicians from around the world have relocated to San Diego over the years, making a major impact on arrival, such is the case with guitarist Taz Taylor (Best Rock Album, Nocturnal), who is originally from England. “I moved to San Diego from the U.K. 26 years ago and to be recognized by my adoptive home city in this way is very rewarding on a personal level and my band mates deserve it for all of the hard work they have put in,” he said.

Another welcome transplant is Jonny Tarr (Best Pop Song, “The Rules” / Best Pop Artist), originally from Wales. “Mate, I am pretty damn jazzed about this year’s awards!,” he enthused. “After submitting my ‘covid’ album in 2021 and not getting past the nominating stage, I am really excited to have the next song I entered get me two nominations.” Tarr notes a particular significance to this round of trophies being handed out. “I had a previous SDMA nomination, but it was during lockdown. This will be the first in-person ceremony I will have been to at which I was actually up for an award. I intend to go full egomaniac-hotel-room-smashing-fight-a-paparazzi-popstar for this one!” www.sandiegomusicawards.com