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Surprise! The runup to the 2012 Houston Press Music Awards starts right now. You didn't think we'd forget about our own HPMAs just because Free Press Summer Fest is this weekend, did you?
Of course not. Nominations are now open -- like, right now -- in almost 40 categories in just about any kind of locally made sounds that have tone and rhythm. We have tweaked a few, subbing Best Modern Rock for Indie/Alternative (what are words for, as Missing Persons once sang), and grouping hardcore with punk and garage instead of experimental and noise.
It seemed to make more sense that way. Others, well, it's just time to move on, so fare thee well, Best Scenester and Best Radio Personality.
The Houston Press Music Awards showcase will be the weekend of August 4-5, at a location TBD. Yes, back in the middle of summer. Despite the broiler oven that is Houston in August, it's still easier to schedule the HPMAs then than around the holidays.
But no matter. It will be a fun day. Remember, wherever it's going to be, it's mostly indoors. And the best musicians in Houston will be playing -- how could you go wrong with that?
The nominations run through Thursday, June 14. Speak up for your favorites on our poll page. Here are the 2012 categories:
BEST LP/CD/EP
BEST MIXTAPE
BEST SONG
BEST LOCAL MUSIC VIDEO
BEST NEW ACT
BEST MALE VOCALS
BEST FEMALE VOCALS
BEST SONGWRITER
BEST POP ARTIST
BEST ROCK
BEST MODERN ROCK
BEST GARAGE/PUNK/HARDCORE
BEST METAL
BEST EXPERIMENTAL/NOISE
BEST ELECTRONIC ACT
BEST SOLO RAPPER
BEST RAP GROUP
BEST RAP DJ
BEST CLUB DJ/DJ NIGHT
BEST LATIN ARTIST
BEST JAZZ
BEST BLUES
BEST SOUL/FUNK/R&B
BEST REGGAE/SKA/DUB
BEST ZYDECO
BEST FOLK
BEST AMERICANA
BEST COVER/TRIBUTE ACT
BEST GUITARIST
BEST BASSIST
BEST DRUMMER
BEST OTHER INSTRUMENT
BEST PRODUCER
BEST RADIO STATION
BEST RADIO PROGRAM
BEST LOCAL LABEL
BEST LIVE MUSIC VENUE
BEST RECORD STORE
BEST INSTRUMENT/EQUIPMENT STORE
Good luck to all the potential nominees. We're looking forward to seeing who wins.
Follow Rocks Off on Facebook and on Twitter at @HPRocksOff.
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