That's all folks! Last Night was the ceremony for the 2013 Salem State Music Awards, where 100+ fans, artists and extras came out to show support and enjoy the night's festivities. For those that could not make it this is a overview of the results from the night, with some witty banter. 

The Awards look like the following:

The night's award winners are as follows:

Singer Songwriter of the Year: Molly Pinto-Madigan
She also took Artist of the Year:
She could not attend because of prior engagements but will be receiving her awards at her senior showcase.

Also Nominated: As the Sparrow, Swifty Morgan, Via Perkins, & Sarah LaPerie

The Second Category of the night:
Rock Artist of the Year: Like Waves
They Also took Music Video of the Year. 
They could not attend because of being in Canada. Oh Canada!

Also Nominated: Pat & The Westends, 10 O'Clock Drive, Arms&Ears, and Aurora
 
The Next Category was 
Album of the Year: Kevin Walker - Strive for Excellence 

Also Nominated:  Via – “ Invincibility”,   Mask & Raid –“EP”, Terrence Ryan – “ Skeleton”,   K-Whoa – “Hurricanes EP”


Hip Hop Artist of the Year: Kevin Walker

Also Nominated: K-Whoa, Ryan Lebron, Lyrical Biz, Bolaji VanWilder

Male Vocalist of the Year:
Anthony Bonarrigo

Also Nominated: John M. Andy Soares, Tyler Bernard, Nafis

Female Vocalist of the Year: Nicole Freeman

Also Nominated: Kaite Noll, Megan Forrest, Michelle Butera, Julez Jette Smith

Dj of the Year: Jay NightRide

Also Nominated: DJ Dailo, DJ Roc-O, DJ Billy C, DJ Prince Chris

Live Artist of the Year: As The Sparrow

Overall it was a great night. Thank you all for making it happen, and congrats to all nominees you all deserve the recognition. 

-E

1.  What is your style like, how would you describe it?  My style is a fuse of R n’ B, pop and a little bit of an African and ragea influence.

2. How long have you been making music?
I have been officially recording music since the age of 16.

3.What got you into music?
 Starting off as a really good dancer and being influenced by singers like Michael Jackson, Ne-Yo, Chris Brown etc., attracted me to being an artist myself.

4. If you could perform with any artist alive now, who would it be and why?
If I could perform with any artist now, it would be Chris Brown. He is full of energy, very talented and really good at entertaining.

5. What inspires you?
I’m inspired generally by everyday life. The struggles people go through every day, and mostly inspired by success stories and how someone can literally come from nothing to something.

6.Where do you want to go with your music?
 I want my music to be global, and having experienced both worlds, Africa and America, i want to keep both sides balanced and create a sound that is quiet unique but unites all continents on a global standard.

7.How do you feel about being nominated in your category?
 Being nominated in my category and Salem State in general is big for me, because its my first ever nomination and reminds me that someone out there is listening and noticing. Salem State has embraced my music and supported me from day one. I’m very grateful.

1. What is your style like, how would you describe it?
My style when it comes to my own music I would consider it to be “Indie Acoustic” music. It’s easy going simple instrumental background with heartfelt lyrics. 

2. How long have you been making music?
I have been writing my own songs since I was really little and I made songs up that the Cheetah Girls would sing. I actually seriously began writing music when I was a freshman in high school and I found that I was pretty good at song writing in creative writing, and I have just built on it from there. 


3. What got you into music?
I have always been into music. When I was a kid my mom brought me up on classics like; The Grateful Dead, Simon and Garfunkel, and my favorite band the Beatles. When I was a little girl I would dance around my kitchen singing and preforming for friends and family who would watch me. Growing up I was always going to concerts and finding new bands as a hobby. I guess music has just always been around. 

4. If you could perform with any artist alive now, who would it be and why?
I would want to perform with either Ed Sheeran, or the band Mayday Parade because both of them have written such wonderful music that has helped me through rough patches in my life. I would love to have the opportunity to get feedback from them on my music and it would just be an honor to be able to share a stage with them. 

5. What inspires you?
What inspires me when it comes to music is the hope that one day I will touch the heart of someone with my music just like my heart has been touched by so many artists in my life. 

6. Where do you want to go with your music?
Music for me is right now is on the back burner in my life. I am perusing acting as a BFA Theater major. I am currently singing in a Best of Broadway’s Burlesque musical and a part of Ssockappella our schools group and I perform at the Gulu Gulu café almost every week. Maybe in the future I will be able to let my pursuit in music play a bigger role in my life but for now I really just do it for the fun of preforming. 

7. How do you feel about being nominated in your category?
I was actually very surprised when I was nominated because I had no idea who would do that! As time went on though I began to have more fun with the idea of being nominated and knowing that someone somewhere liked what they heard when I sang. I was just very honored to be able to share the stage with such talented people and I am very happy to have had that opportunity.

1. What is your style like, how would you describe it? 
I honestly don't think I have a defined style. I've never written my own music and wouldn't even know where to begin. I like to sing songs that I can relate to or that really reflect my passion for singing when I perform them. 

2. How long have you been making music?
Like I said, I've never written my own music but it has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. 
3. What got you into music? 
When I was younger I used to think I was Brittney Spears and I thought she was the coolest teenager in the world and wanted to be exactly like her. That was when I found out that I could actually sing and I had a dream of wanting to become a "superstar".

4. If you could perform with any artist alive now, who would it be and why? 
Haley Williams is one of the most talented singers that I've heard. I have seen Paramore in concert and was blown away by how real her voice is. I hate hearing all these top 40 songs that are auto tuned and the second you see them on stage you realize that their voice isn't that great. 

5. What inspires you? 
Everyday life inspires me. I see that the world is not perfect and that people get hurt or hurt others, but then I see how imperfection and pain and transformed into great music. Music comes from the heart and it takes something that effects the heart to create something beautiful and true. 

6. Where do you want to go with your music? 
I just want to be noticed. Becoming famous would be fabulous but I'm too afraid that the music industry would try to change who I am. Being recognized on a small scale like locally is enough to make me happy.

7. How do you feel about being nominated in your category?
 There is so much talent on this campus that the fact that I got nominated is amazing. I'm only a freshman and it feels great knowing people actually like what I do and cared enough to remember my name long enough to nominate me. It's a step towards my dreams.

1.)What is your style like, how would you describe it?
Our style is closer to the folk genre than anything else with big band swing in the mix. 



2)How long have you been making music?
I picked up bass guitar freshman year of high school and then pretended to know what I was doing for a couple of years. When I really started getting serious about music I was a freshman at Salem State. I wanted to write songs so my RA would give me guitar lessons every week in his dorm.






3.)What got you into music? 
Into playing music? The company that I kept during my freshman year was one of the major reasons for my love of music now. I would always gravitate towards the music major's dinning hall even though I wasn't a music major. 

4.)  If you could perform with any artist alive now, who would it be and why?
If I could suppress my school girl giggles, it would be a dream to share the stage with Laura Marling. 

5) What inspires you?
 Inspiration sometimes comes from strange places. I like to tell stories in my music. First, the inspiration from my own life has to be the foundation of the story. A lot of the time it comes from pain I have felt. For example, Graveraft is a story about a grudge that was never resolved between two people. They end up on the same life raft after a flood strikes their town. 

6)  Where do you want to go with your music?
 This years plan for As the Sparrow is to release our full length album, shoot a music video, continue to gig around Boston, and also attempt to get some radio airplay as well as get our songs on television shows. The long term plan is to keep creating the music that we love while striving to make a living off of it at the same time.

7) How do you feel about being nominated in your category?
 It came as a surprise but we were all very excited. It felt nice to be recognized, especially by the University where I learned guitar.

Check out their new single:
http://asthesparrow.bandcamp.com/

Q: What is your style like, how would you describe it?

- I try not to be pinned down to one certain style. My forte is Dance/Electronic music, but I always try to mix it up and try different things. When I'm playing live, I always try to keep the crowd guessing.



Q: How long have you been making music?

- I have been producing music since 2009, but I have been singing in the shower since '94.

Q: What got you into music?

- I have always loved and been interested in music since I was a little kid. I started to get serious with producing and djing my freshman year here at Salem. I had two friends who lived in my dorm who were DJ's and they really helped me out and got me started.

Q: If you could perform with any artist alive now, who would it be and why?

- Deadmau5. He has been my favorite artist since high school and it has always been a dream of mine to be able to play with him someday.

Q: What inspires you?

- The biggest thing that inspires me is seeing the enjoyment on peoples faces when I'm playing. Whether it's at the club or at a house party, nothing feels better than looking out at the crowd and seeing everyone have a great time. It motivates me to keep working hard and reminds me of how much I love doing what I do.

Q: Where do you want to go with your music?

- I want to go as far as I possibly can with music. I've been very lucky to have been able to play all over the east coast these past three years, but I want to do a lot more than that. I don't want to just play around the country, but around the world. When it comes to my own music, I really want to focus on producing more original tracks in the near future. My music has been supported and played all around the world by some of the worlds biggest DJ's, including Tiesto, which is a true honor. Now it is time for me to step up my game and do whatever it takes to follow in those guys footsteps.

Q: How do you feel about being nominated in your category?

- It is an honor to be nominated by the student body for Student DJ of the Year. I got my start here at this school doing events and house parties and having the support of the students here really means a lot. If it wasn't for all of them I wouldn't have been able to do anything I've done with music these past few years.

1. What is your style like, how would you describe it?
I've never been a fan of playing the genre game but I guess adult contemporary, acoustic, rock/blues? At least that's where I take my influence from.

2. How long have you been making music?
Honestly? Not really that long. In high school I was sort of lost and didn't know what I wanted to do for a living. I then went to Salem and being so lonely I only had my guitars as company for two weeks before I started making friends. From there 95% of the feedback I got was good so I decided, let's go for it.

3. What got you into music?
Other music. I find that musical scores in movies and soundtracks were my emotional triggers when it came to movies. The song at the end of Lord of the Rings when Frodo left on the ship? Yeah, lost it. But I gravitate more towards catchy pop, rock and hip-hop more than anything else. Nothing's better than blasting something in your car with the windows down and singing along with friends.

4. If you could perform with any artist alive now, who would it be and why?
The easy answer is John Mayer, NO ONE WILL BE SURPRISED BY THAT. But I'd also like to perform with Eric Clemenzi (look him up), Charlie Hunter (Even though he's a god) and Just about anyone who has a "Yeah man, let's play," vibe to them.

5. What inspires you?
Intense emotional conflict. Alternatively, I don't really need inspiration. I pull out an old emotion of heartbreak, desire or anger and use it. I'm at my best when something big has happened and I need to get it out. Being mostly content is bad for my career.

6. Where do you want to go with your music?
I want to play for as many people as possible. Once musicians and artists admit that it becomes so much easier to care less what people think. I will always have people who just don't like my music and they will always decide to voice it, but I could care less. I'm not targeting those people.

7. How do you feel about being nominated in your category?
Well seeing as I'm no longer going to Salem it means a lot that someone over there is thinking about me. Someone saw this and thought, "you know who would be good for this?" I don't know, it's a sign that I'm doing something right. To whoever it was, I will try my best to not let you down.

What is your style like, how would you describe it?

When i create a remix or produce an original track, I don't try to limit myself to a specific genre. I am a big fan of the electro and progressive house sounds that have been becoming more and more popular in this modern EDM scene. I think the future of electronic music is endless with so many possibilities of mixing sounds and genres and I try my best to incorporate as many live instruments into my tracks as possible. This gives me more versatility when DJing to allow a unique tone while having the freedom to mix in other great tracks from other artists.

            •           How long have you been making music?

I've been DJing for about three years now, but i've been making music for twelve. I was in my first band in 2002 and had recorded my first album by 2004. I've learned so much about how to create music and have built so many influences that it's amazing to look at my past work all way up to my current electronic explorations.

            •           What got you into music?

When i was young everyone around me played music. My Dad was always strumming his acoustic guitar and my older brother was learning guitar when i was only eight years old. Watching him pluck away in our bedroom inspired me originally, then as I became a pre-teen I started listening to Aerosmith and Black Sabbath. That's when true appreciation for music began for me.

            •           If you could perform with any artist alive now, who would it be and why?

I've always been a huge fan of Blink 182. I know it seems silly to think of a DJ performing with them, but I think some people take music too seriously. Music can be serious and full of emotion, don't get me wrong, but there's something great about a group of people like the guys in Blink who can spend the time and money to make a song full of lewd humor. I think the funny aspects of music are just as important as the emotional ones.

            •           What inspires you?

A lot of things inspire me. It's difficult to pinpoint a specific source of inspiration, because as every artist knows it just hits you sometimes. Whether it's something as deep as watching the stars or a life realization, or something as simple as a relationship breakup. Inspiration can come from anything if you let it in.

            •           Where do you want to go with your music?

I don't have any specific future expectations with my music. I take things day by day. Music has always been a large part of my life and i've been lucky to be working professionally in the music scene. It's a dream to get to listen to and express my artistic side on a daily basis and I think i'll just keep following wherever the path leads.

            •           How do you feel about being nominated in your category?

When I first heard I was nominated for Best Student DJ, i was beyond excited. I've been in bands for years and since i've been hitting the club scene running my visual company, DJing began more as a hobby. Lately i've had the pleasure of spinning at some of Bostons best nightclubs and I couldn't be happier to hear that there are people from my University paying attention to how i'm progressing musically. It's an honor.

1. What is your style like, how would you describe it?

At the moment I’d say my style has a very acoustic pop sound. However I’m still experimenting and growing as a musician, and my style is too.

2. How long have you been making music?

I have always loved music, but I started writing, learning, and focusing on music when I was a freshman in high school.

3. What got you into music?

My mom always loved music, so I would say I get my love of it from her. My former chorus teacher also helped me discover a lot about music through high school. Listening to Sara Bareilles’ music, however, was what really got me interested in songwriting, and inspired me to learn piano.

4. If you could perform with any artist alive now, who would it be and why?

I would love to perform with Sara Bareilles, Adele, or Ed Sheeran because they as artists have inspired and influenced me through their lyrics and songs, more than I ever thought possible.

5. What inspires you?

Many things inspire me; my friends’ and family’s stories, love, heartbreak... Any thing in life that has meaning to me is what I draw from when I write and sing.

6. Where do you want to go with your music?

I want to make an album of my songs, and perform for people. I want to write music that people can enjoy and connect to.

7. How do you feel about being nominated in your category?

I am incredibly thankful! It is a tremendous honor to have been given this opportunity. I would just like to thank everyone who has helped to support this great event, and I hope there are many more to follow.

1. What is your style like, how would you describe it?
I'm not really sure how to answer this. I'm into performing all kinds of music. My band (The Youth and Beauty Brigade) plans to release a different genre with every EP. My singing style is sort of strange though, pop music doesn't really fit my voice, show tunes and strong vocal parts are where my voice really shines.

2. How long have you been making music?
If singing in the car when I was younger counts, my entire life. Realistically though, I've played drums most of my life, and I always say that I've been playing guitar for about five years but took a break for probably four of them.

3. What got you into music?
I come from a family of musicians. My dad and brother both play drums and my uncle was a decently famous singer back in his day (Frank Bonarrigo - it's worth a google). So I've always had a drive to play music.

4. If you could perform with any artist alive now, who would it be and why?
Perhaps any of the guys from good old war. Or Paul McCartney. Albeit I would explode if I got to play with a member of the Beatles.

5. What inspires you?
My parents, my friends, a special shoutout to Ms. Tori Gulusha, life, enjoying my life and loving what I do, music, knowledge, science, math (seriously though, my math shoes), and passion.

6. Where do you want to go with your music?
I would love to do something with a singing group, like a small singing group or something (think Celtic Thunder, but not as Irish). But in reality, I don't expect any future things, I'm just going to continue making music and enjoying it.

7. How do you feel about being nominated in your category?
Honored really. It was extremely unexpected. None of my friends claim to have nominated me so it's even more unexpected (to whoever nominated me the first time, you're rad).

Good luck to everybody nominated, and I thank all those that voted for me, and I thank Eric Roberts for coordinating such a rad event, and I look forward to many more events in the future!