This week, Alternative Press hosted their fourth annual Alternative Press Music Awards (APMAs), celebrating genres from alternative, to pop, to metal. We at The Orchard were beyond excited to see that three awards went to our releases! To celebrate, we wanted to highlight our talented winners. A huge congratulations to our labels and artists for their tremendous work.
State Champs took the win for Music Video of the Year for their song “Losing Myself.” Represented by Pure Noise Records, the pop-punk band is a ton of fun and full of talent, as they also received APMA nominations for Best Bassist and Best Vocalist. The video features State Champs members working at a water park in a destination commercial with some very convincing acting that makes you wish that “Waldo’s” was a real place. Lose yourself in the winning video below and check out their LP Around The World and Back.
Earning the award for Best Underground Band is Silent Planet, whose new take on hard rock represents an evolution in the genre. The California-based group has two releases, both of them a unique combination of sophisticated metalcore and social consciousness. Their thought-provoking themes that tackle major social issues are only augmented by their impressive talent and post-rock textured riffs. See the group behind the well-deserved win in their music video for their single from their newest album Everything Was Sound via Solid State Records.
Last but certainly not least, the award for Best Breakthrough Band goes to Waterparks, whose debut album Double Dare also earned them nominations for Song of the Year and Album of the Year. The Equal Vision Records group hails from Houston, and the high energy you feel in their pop-punk music carries through to their live shows despite their serious touring regimen. Waterparks may be new to the music scene, but they came out swinging and are definitely a name to keep an eye on. Watch the music video for their APMA nominated song “Stupid For You” below.
See the full list of APMA winners here.