Kurri Kurri songrwiter Tori Forsyth has been longlisted for Australian Music Prize

The Kurri Kurri based singer-songwriter released her debut long player Dawn of The Dark, back in May to a rapturous reception – the ripples of which are still being felt in December.

After picking up three Golden Guitar nominations – for best alt-country album, female artist of the year, and best new talent, Tori was, last week, shortlisted for the prestigious Australian Music Prize.

The prize includes a $30,000 purse and past winners include the likes of The Drones, A.B Original, The Jezabels and Courtney Barnett.

Tori is also in some pretty good company in this year’s ‘longlist’ of 86 albums, with the likes of current chart darlings Amy Shark and Troye Sivan as well as fellow Hunter Valley based artists William Crighton and Catherine Britt.

“It’s pretty incredible to see your name against a bunch of people that have been doing this for a very long time and that you admire – it’s something that I can’t really explain,” Tori said of her inclusion.

“I also went and had a bit of a look at the website to check out the previous shortlists and it’s a pretty up-there prize.”

She added that the prize would help her realise her dreams of more time in the studio and more miles on the road – both here and overseas.

“Obviously anyone would be pretty stoked with $30,000 but music is in an interesting place at the moment and every little bit counts as far as funding, getting on tour and trying to get overseas,” she said.

“It all needs money and I think something like this would put me in a very nice place in terms of getting out there without too much of a worry.”

While Tori said she was blown away by the announcement, she should be getting used to “pinch me” moments now after bagging three Golden Guitar nominations.

“Again, I was really surprised to just get one nomination, let alone three – it’s so amazing to see something that you’ve put a lot of work into pay off in such a way.”

Tori’s ethereal and lilting record was a definite labour of love with the recording and writing process taking a little over two years from first putting pen to paper to hitting the studio with producer Shane Nicholson.

“I really wanted to take my time with it,” she said.

“I wanted to make the right moves and make sure that I was happy with an proud of what I was putting out into the world and I definitely am.”