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

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Good luck to all the potential nominees. We're looking forward to seeing who wins.

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