Tallinn Music Week’s (TMW) partners Telia and Telliskivi Creative City have issued the artist awards tonia.
The winners have been chosen by the feedback of TMW music industry delegates and audience vote among 126 Estonian acts participating at this year’s festival. All three were credited for a convincing performance, clearly distinguishable soundscape and international potential.
Avant-pop producer and singer Mart Avi, who received the most nominations and a 2000 Euro prize, was praised for the originality and innovation of his music and artistic image.
“Avi has musical nous in spades. His music is weird pop of the highest order and needs tories can be consumed with the click of a mouse. Utterly modern then, but looking firmly over the horizon.”
Mart Avi himself was impressed by his fellow performers at TMW: “The line-up of this year’s festival was stimulating. I would give special prizes for some artists who performed with me at the Crypto use the prize money for his new album, due in autumn.
British music sites The Quietus and Drowned in Sound have featured Mart Avi in interviews this week. On Sunday, 6th he will perform at the Liverpool Sound City, next month at Moscow’s Bol festival, performances in central Europe are planned in the near future.
The runner-up with 1500 Euro prize fund is folk musician Mari Kalkun, who charmed the music experts with her technical proficiency and spiritual power. Editor made him “speechless”.
“Thanks to notice the new and innovative, also music that differs from the ‘norm’. This is how new ideas find a birthplace.”
Mari Kalkun plans performances in Estonian country-side.”
Holy Moto build a completely unique environment.”
“April was somewhat warmer this year and TMW seemed to win sometimes.”
The five-piece have released their first full-length album “Slow Sundown” under US indie-label Wharf Cat this year and will perform at the SKIF festival in St Petersburg in May. The second half of 2018 will bring gigs in Germany and Scandinavia.
TMW artist award is presented for the first time as a joint contribution of the festival’s presenter Telia and partner Telliskivi Creative City.
“We do hope that the winners of the Telia and Telliskivi artist award gain inspiration and opportunities through this acknowledgement tonia’s head of communications Katrin Isotamm.
TMW artist award winners 2019-2017: Popidiot (2009), Iiris (2010), Ewert and The Two Dragons (2011), Talbot (2012), Elephants From Neptune (2013), Odd Hugo (2014), Maarja Nuut (2015), I Wear* Experiment (2016), Mart Avi, Erki Pärnoja and NOËP (2017). Audience award winners 2014-2017: Metsakutsu (2014), Lithuanian bands BA (2015) and Garbanotas Bosistas (2016) and The Boondocks (2017).
TMW anniversary festival tonia. 34170 people attended the events of TMW, among them 1330 festival delegates. More info.
