Blues is a popular music genre which has undergone many changes in its characteristics since its inception. Blues music is characterised by specific chord progressions, of which the twelve bar blues chord progression is the most common. The blue notes that, for expressive purposes are sung or played flattened or gradually bent (minor 3rd to major 3rd) in relation to the pitch of the major scale, are also an important part of the sound. Additionally the rhythm is also a unique characteristic of blues music being based on the 12-bar and 48-beat repetitive pattern.

When it comes to melody, blues music also consists of an emphasis on the flattened third, fifth and seventh notes of a major scale. These notes are traditionally played in a blues scale. Traditionally, the verse of a conventional blues song comprises three lines with the first two lines being more or less the same, followed by the third which is the response to the first two lines. Thematically, early blues lyrics concentrated more on sadness and disappointing stories but blues can also be a raucous dance music that celebrates pleasure and success.

Country music originally comes from a combination of southern folk songs, gospel and blues music. Most of its songs were built around three chords and a plain melody, but these forms were so basic, they have allowed for the development of many different styles, from the gritty sounds of honky-tonk to the jazzy improvisations of Western Swing. Over time Country music has continued to evolve from the rhythmic guitar-and-fiddle driven traditional country that became the foundation of modern country music to the more innovative musical expression of very successful songwriters such as Keith Urban, Garth Brooks, and Shania Twain.

Country songs are suitable for easy listening. They mainly consist of clean lyrics with music pieces using classical guitars and other traditional instruments. Occasionally, solos of instruments like the banjo, mandolin, fiddle, and harmonica can also be heard in country songs.

Jazz comes from American music developed especially from ragtime and blues and characterized by propulsive syncopated rhythms, polyphonic ensemble playing, varying degrees of improvisation, and often deliberate distortions of pitch and timbre. At the outset, jazz was dance music, performed by swinging big bands. Soon, the dance elements faded into the background and improvisation became the key element of the music.

As the genre evolved, the music split into a number of different styles from the speedy, hard-hitting rhythms of be-bop and the laid-back, mellow harmonies of cool jazz to the jittery, atonal forays of free jazz and the earthy grooves of soul jazz. What tied it all together was a foundation in the blues, a reliance on group interplay and unpredictable improvisation

“The art of improvisation and reaching people with spontaneous music is what Jazz is all about.” Sonny Rollins

Hip Hop music is just a part of the whole hip-hop culture, a very big part. The music is marked by a significant importance to the bass and the beats, with rapping as the predominant vocal art form. The music is divided into two parts, DJ-ing and rapping, although both of them are regularly used together and can include disc-scratching, sampling and crowd control using live audio techniques.

Funk typically consists of a complex groove

Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground. Like much African-inspired music, funk typically consists of a complex groove with rhythm instruments such as electric guitar, electric bass, Hammond organ and drums playing interlocking rhythms. Funk bands sometimes have a horn section of several saxophones, trumpets and in some cases, a trombone.

By the 1970s, the term R&B “rhythm and blues” changed and was used as a blanket term for soul and funk. In the 1980s, a newer style of R&B developed, becoming known as “contemporary R&B”. It combines elements of rhythm and blues, pop, soul, funk, hip hop, and electronic music.

All contemporary R&B, and all Hip Hop, Rap and Urban styles are welcome in this category, so if you think that your songs may overlap with another category you may wish to also enter your song/s in those categories.

Heavy & Hard covers genres of rock music that has evolved into a heavier sound with bands that have developed a thick, massive sound, characterized by highly amplified distortion, extended guitar solos, emphatic beats, overall loudness and vigorous vocals. The genre’s lyrics and performance styles are sometimes associated with aggression or angst. The prominent role of the bass is also key to the heavy sound, and the interplay of bass and guitar is often a central element. The bass guitar provides the low-end sound crucial to making the music “heavy”.

The essence of heavy drumming creates a loud, constant beat for the band using the speed & power. In live performance, loudness or an onslaught of sound plays an important part in heavy music whether it be Heavy Metal, Heavy Rock, Punk or Garage music.

The Key to this category is that the songs should call for action on current events, world issues or social change or the environment. In this category the lyrics are especially important even though the song may take on the elements of any musical genre.

The Electronic category covers many styles and may include traditional instruments as long as the music is predominantly created electronically.

Some styles and sub-genres of electronic music include Ambient Music, Electronica, Trance, Atmospheric, Minimal, House, Techno, D&B, Space Music, Jungle, Industrial, Breakbeat, Psychedelic, UK Garage, Electro, Downtempo, Chillout, Nu-Jazz, Nu-Disco, Organic, New Wave, Dubstep, Dance Punk, Progressive, Acid Rave, Gabba, Sambass, Euro, Snap, Synthpop, Dark Ambient, Industrial, Ambient Dub, Ethno, Isolationist… and everything in between.

Folk refers to a wide variety of genres that emerged in the mid 20th century and afterwards which were associated with traditional folk music, (a song originating among the people of a country or area, passed by oral tradition from one singer or generation to the next, often existing in several versions, and marked generally by simple, modal melody and stanzaic, narrative verse). Traditionally the songs were sourced as anonymous and are therefore, not owned by anyone. They were always lyrically important, with an easy rhythm to guide the song. It was mostly the working class that engaged in these expressive songs. It is they who made the folk songs, which is why the songs are about daily life and the workers’ struggle, or about nature and wildlife, or even lullabies for children.

Overall it is the sound, structure and lyrical style that help to define this category.

The other group can be collectively called folk music or folk revival music which is modern  music with sound that is derived from the folk songs of old (usually sticking to one style) and the lyrics are created wholly by the artist or drawn from the folk song itself. Artists that have made folk music include Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Led Zeppelin, Lead Belly, Pete Seeger and Joan Baez. 

This category is Music for Children not by children though may include them.

Children benefit from doing more than just listening to a song. To get the full benefits of music, children need to be inspired to sing, clap and dance along with the tunes. When children sing and move to music the brain begins to develop its musical comprehension. This is done through voicing and dancing, not through simply listening. Music for children includes a mixture of genres and a variety of styles but often takes the form of storytelling or has some educational influence.

Soul is a style generated from a heavy influence of gospel music on blues and R&B.

Soul is a kind of music that incorporates elements of rhythm and blues and gospel music. Characterized by an emphasis on vocals and an impassioned improvisatory delivery, it is associated with performers such as Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, and Otis Redding and includes its sub genres such as Neo Soul.

Gospel songs contain lyrics taken from Bible verses or are just written out of Christian belief. Usually, the lyrics are made out of a personal experience with the divine. Gospel songs may be from any music genre such as country, rock, rap, or metal. World-renowned artists to compose gospel songs are Don Moen, Petra, Sonicflood, Michael W. Smith, and Hillsong.

Instrumental is any music that does not include lyrics though the use of voice as an instrument is acceptable.

All styles and forms and genres of instrumental music are welcome in this category, Classical, rock, acoustic, electric, theme music, film music, jingles or mood music, or improvisational pieces. Any type of instrumentation is welcome – eg a single acoustic instrument, electronic, multiple instruments, all keyboards based, live band/ensemble performances etc.

Stage Musical is any single song that you would see on stage in a musical.

Cabaret a style of entertainment that often includes a collection of short performances of music, theatre, and dance strung together over the course of the performance. Cabaret acts are usually performed by a group of people, like an acting troupe or dance company, and occur in a small informal environment like a nightclub or small venue. A cabaret singer will often over-dramatise and tell a story of an imagined, exaggerated life, or encourage the audience to question their own behaviour in a comedic way.

Your song entry needs to be in an mp3 128kbps format, (MUST be Smaller than 8MB) so that we can handle the files and get them to the judges.

We urge you to check your song type, song file and file quality on different playback formats – your computer, your phone, your car, a usb stick, from different email address etc. Broken and corrupted files happen more than you can imagine. 

Convert your song file to mp3 on your computer music software with an online platform, like this one.

You can see if it’s an mp3 file by viewing the file type in your finder view of your computer.

Double and triple check your file plays – ALL THE WAY THROUGH – on at least TWO different actual music playing machines.

The Dolphin Awards Event Night will be a massive celebration at the Ballina RSL on October the 15th, 2019.

Tickets are sold prior to the event via The Ballina RSL Website Attraction Page.
Tickets are $20 for NCEIA Members and $35 for Non Members. Up to 5 tickets at discounted price.

Please Like and Share our NCEIA Facebook Page to stay in contact.

The North Coast Entertainment Industry Association is a Volunteer inspired and Volunteer run organisation which aims to: 

• To bring together and strengthen our regions music community.
• To encourage developing musicians in this region
• To acknowledge this areas talented musicians at our major event, the NCEIA Dolphin Music Awards
• To create performance opportunities for members

Becoming a member of NCEIA not only lowers your song entry’s to the Dolphin Music Awards, but it also shows your effort and support in keeping this 28 year old institution of the North Coast Music Industry scene thriving.

Member discounts and all proceeds go back into the awards as we are a Not for Profit Organisation. We appreciate your continued support over the years!

If you would like to volunteer your help and support, please contact via The Dolphin Music Awards facebook or email “mariska ( @ ) nceia (.) org (.) au” to express your interest. *Remove the brackets to email.

Why Yes! Yes we do!!

You can catch all the action on our Dolphin Music Awards You Tube Channel right HERE!

As well as being streamed on 92.9 River FM!

TAFE

A Dolphin Award is a gloriously sculpted trophy which represents a slice in history of the North Coast Entertainment Music Scene and Community.

The Prizes donated from our incredible line up of Sponsors range from recording time, mentorships, festival performance slots, microphones, instruments and gear.

For this category you will need to submit your entry through this website using a link to your video via YouTube, Vimeo etc.

It is important to note that in this category it is the video, and not the song that is the focus of attention for the judges. The video will be judged on quality and narrative, timing, presentation of ideas and relationship to the song. Copy-write laws are paramount in that footage must be original or permission to use the footage must have been gathered.

You will need to upload your Music Video to a Vimeo or Youtube account. If you would like to keep your Music Video private, you will need to share accessibility to the NCEIA Dolphin Awards.

1. Check you file sizes by selecting detail view on your computer.

2. If entering a bunch of songs perhaps do it in two batches.

3. Sometimes a slow computer will make it time out or slow internet speed.