Listen to the songs nominated in the 2020 Steamtown Music Awards in Scranton
The 2020 Steamtown Music Awards are coming up fast, and with so many artists and music industry professional nominated in 36 categories, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by all the great local music to discover.
Today, NEPA Scene is breaking down three of the biggest and most varied categories – Song of the Year, Album/EP of the Year, and Music Video of the Year. Below, the nominees for Song of the Year are listed in alphabetical order by artist, along with a way to stream the song, basic info on the artist, and links to learn more.
The nominations were made by the public earlier this year, and while the winners are decided by a nonpartisan committee, everyone was able to vote for an additional People’s Choice Award in every category via Facebook this year. “The Start of Something Else” by Lifer, which premiered on NEPA Scene in March, won the popular vote in the Song of the Year category.
All the award winners will be announced on Sept. 10, 11, and 12 at The V-Spot in Scranton. Limited indoor and outdoor seating is available, and media production company Ionic Development will live stream the entire event for free on all three days on NEPA Scene’s Facebook page as well as TheVspot Bar and Electric City Music Conference pages. 25 live performances at The V-Spot will be featured in addition to the awards – see the full schedule here.
Artist: The Aegean
Song title: “Arethusa”
Genre: Melodic metal
Hometown: Nanticoke
NEPA Scene coverage: Episode 118 of the NEPA Scene Podcast
Artist: Anytime Soon
Song title: “End of an Era”
Genre: Pop punk
Hometown: Scranton
NEPA Scene coverage: SONG PREMIERE: Scranton pop punk band Anytime Soon reaches ‘End of an Era’ with new music
Artist: The Boastfuls
Song title: “Tequila”
Genre: Alternative rock
Hometown: Scranton
NEPA Scene coverage: VIDEO PREMIERE: Scranton alt rock trio The Boastfuls take their shot with debut single ‘Tequila,’ Episode 3 of Stripped
Artist: Kali Ma and the Garland of Arms
Song title: “Something Else”
Genre: Neo-psych dream pop
Hometown: Wilkes-Barre
NEPA Scene coverage: Episode 68 of the NEPA Scene Podcast, 2019 album release show live stream at The Bog in Scranton
* People’s Choice Award winner *
Artist: Lifer
Song title: “The Start of Something Else”
Genre: Nu metal, hard rock
Hometown: Wilkes-Barre
NEPA Scene coverage: SONG PREMIERE: Wilkes-Barre nu metal band Lifer debuts first new song in 18 years, ‘The Start of Something Else,’ REVIEW/PHOTOS: ‘Come Together’ benefit concert represents the best of NEPA music and resilience, REVIEW/PHOTOS: Lifer reunion in Wilkes-Barre brings back memories and underrated music, Episode 76 of the NEPA Scene Podcast
Artist: Lucas Hex
Song title: “Bloodshot”
Genre: Rap
Hometown: Scranton
NEPA Scene coverage: MUSIC VIDEO: Scranton rapper Lucas Hex masks up for nu metal-inspired ‘Scapegoat’
Artist: Modern Ties
Song title: “Outside the Lines”
Genre: Indie pop rock
Hometown: Scranton
NEPA Scene coverage: Episode 137 of the NEPA Scene Podcast, REVIEW/PHOTOS: ‘Come Together’ benefit concert represents the best of NEPA music and resilience, Scranton indie pop band Black Tie Stereo changes name to Modern Ties for new original music
Artist: Patrick McGlynn
Song title: “The Man in the Cannon” (2020)
Genre: Indie folk, Americana
Hometown:
NEPA Scene coverage: ALBUM PREMIERE: Scranton indie folk singer Patrick McGlynn embraces ‘Parallel Hearts’ in uncertain times, Juicebox Sessions live stream at The V-Spot in Scranton
Artist: The Sorters
Song title: “Ocean Beach”
Genre: Acoustic rock
Hometown: Towanda
Artist: Zayre Mountain
Song title: “Into the Fire”
Genre: Rock
Hometown: Wilkes-Barre
NEPA Scene coverage: VIDEO PREMIERE: Wilkes-Barre rockers Zayre Mountain salute those jumping ‘Into the Fire’ of coronavirus pandemic
Lead photo of Lifer by Rich Howells/NEPA Scene
