The 2026 Motif Rhode Island Music Awards are here! We are so proud to announce this year’s nominees. Rhode Island might be small, but our music community is mighty, and it is such an honor to shine a light on the artists, venues, and industry movers that make our little state such a special place.
Voting is now open– you can cast your ballot at the survey link above!
As always, the nomination process is community-driven: we reach out to local venue owners and bookers, labels, music writers, radio hosts, and scene tastemakers across the state to gather their picks. From there, we compile the results, verify eligibility, tally everything up, and—boom—your nominees. This year, we contacted over 200 sources and heard back from more than 60.
You may also notice a few familiar names missing. This is due to our Legends Program, where acts that have won three consecutive years take a one-year break to make room for new voices. This year, The Providence Drum Troupe, The Quahogs, Jake Hunsinger and the Rock Bottom Band, Dudemanbro, Jabbawaukee, and People Eating Plastic are sitting out to give others a shot.
Now it’s up to you. Vote, share, and celebrate Rhode Island music. 💛
To hear each nominee, click the direct links below!
OVERALL:
Artist of the Year:
Breakthrough Artist of the Year:
Vocalist of the Year:
Bobby Lux Lucidi (Luci Dead Limb)
Ella Boissonnault (Lady Pills)
Emma Newton (Space Cowboy Newt)
GENRE:
Favorite Alt-Rock / Garage Act:
Favorite Americana Act:
Favorite Bluegrass Act:
Favorite Blues Act:
Vintage Rhythm and Blues Ensemble
Favorite Country Act:
Favorite Electronic Act:
Favorite Emo Act:
Favorite Experimental / Prog Act:
Professor Caffeine & the Insecurities
Favorite Folk Act:
Ed Sweeney & Cathy Clasper-Torch
Favorite Hardcore Act:
Favorite Hip-Hop Act:
Favorite Indie Rock Act:
Favorite Jam / Funk Act:
Favorite Jazz Act:
Jon Lee (Pseudonymous)
Favorite Metal Act:
Favorite Noise Act:
Favorite Pop Act:
Favorite Pop-Punk Act:
Favorite Punk Act:
Favorite R&B / Soul Act:
Favorite Reggae / Ska Act:
Favorite World / Traditional Act:
RECORDED MUSIC, PRODUCTION, VISUALS:
Favorite Album:
and then our souls met on the beach, minya day
Everything Is On Fire, The Jake Wasson Malpractice
Sermon for a Pirate’s Daughter, Polly Bessette
Suffering!!!, Space Cowboy Newt
Superkiller, Open Window Maniac
Time Outreaches Any Distance, ToadStool
Favorite Song:
“Bon Voyage” – Consuelo’s Revenge
“Knife (Lady)” – Dogs on Shady Lane
Favorite Producer:
Bradford Krieger
Chaimes Parker
Dylan Titus
Emma Newton
Feral G
Haz the Producer
Jack Gauthier
Paul Tyree
Sammy D’Ambruoso
Skylar Batz
Favorite Studio:
B08STUDIO
Big Nice Studio
Elmwood East Recording Studio
Genrus
Lakewest Recording Studio
Lucky Star Studio
Organic Sound Studio
Small Mammal Studios
Stable Sound Studio
The Proving Ground
TRIAD Recording
Woony Tunes
Favorite Music Video:
“Bigger Than Big” – BIFF the Don (Dir. ShotbyTrench)
“Rock Bottom” – Distant Boom (Dir. Mike Murdock)
“It Won’t Be Christmas” – John Fuzek (Dir. John Fuzek)
“chlorine” – NOVA ONE (Dir. Frankie Ferrari)
“Sane Baby” – Polly Bessette (Dir. Alex Watrous)
“Crossbones” – ScamRock (Dir. Scott Sandonato)
“tallboys” – ssa lin (Dir. ssa lin, Ryan Ardito)
“Haunted Houses” – Tyler Nail (Dir. Tyler Nail)
Favorite Videographer:
Asim Barakzai
Frankie Ferrari
HAUS
Jack Zornado
N.E.E.D.
PEiRC3
Vinnie Bellows (476 Productions)
William Hall (Reel 58)
Favorite Photographer:
Collin Heroux
James Lastowski
Jenn Lombari
Jody Jo
Kerry Quinn
Lawless Concerts
Rafael Medina
Scrolls Royce
Thomas Walsh
LIVE MUSIC, MUSIC NIGHTS, VENUES:
Favorite Live Act:
Favorite Cover Act:
David Tessier’s All-Star Stars
Tanya McIntyre & the Professors
Favorite Tribute Act:
Changes In Latitudes (Jimmy Buffett)
Of Heart and Mind (Joni Mitchell)
Favorite DJ:
Caloric
chuckwho
DJ Dayglow
DJ Flip Mercedes
DJ It’s Casual
DJ Judge
DJ Ty Jesso
DJ Yummy
Partywithrami
Séga Genn
Yoonorlan
Favorite Ensemble (Stationary):
Chamber Orchestra of Barrington at St. John’s
Narragansett Bay Symphony Community Orchestra
Providence Holiday Saxophone Choir
Providence Mandolin Orchestra
Rhode Island Philharmonic
The American Band
Favorite Ensemble (Mobile):
The Extraordinary Rendition Band
Favorite Ensemble (Vocal):
Carillon Women’s Chorus
Collegium Ancora
Earl Bright and Elevated
Ensemble Altera
Pawtucket Community Chorus
Providence Rock Voices
Providence Singers
Quorus
Rhode Island Gay Men’s Chorus
Favorite Open Mic Night:
Cady’s Tavern
Moniker Brewery
Myrtle
Narragansett Cafe
The NEE Jam
The Parlour
Perks & Corks
Pump House Music Works
Riffraff + LitArtsRI
Favorite Karaoke Night:
Galactic Theatre
Hot Club
Mirabar
Nolan’s Corner Pub
The Parlour
The Pub at Matunuck
Union Station Brewery
Favorite Festival:
Foo Fest
Ink Fest
Providence Porchfest
Ragged Island Music Fest
Rhode Island Folk Festival
Rootstock
Scurvy Dog Parking Lot Mega Show
Under the Radar Music Festival
Warren Folks Festival
Favorite Small-Med. Venue:
Blackstone River Theatre
Buttonwoods Brewery
Courthouse Center for the Arts
The Lounge at Fête
Mezzo Lounge
Myrtle
Narragansett Cafe
Pub on Park
Ragged Island
Rejects Beer Co.
The Met
The News Cafe
The Parlour
Favorite DIY Space / Alternative Live Music Venue:
arc{hive} book + snackery
Holiday Inn
Lost Bag
POP!
Public
Pyxis
Red Ink Community Library
The Clubhouse Gallery
Favorite Promoter:
Chance Hãki (PVD World Music)
Emma Rome Corbin
John Fuzek (Hear In Rhode Island)
John “Cyco” DiFruscio (Intrinsic Events)
John-Francis Quiñonez
Jude Bingham
Michael Panico (Spring Street Productions)
Quahog Emo Adjacent
Rob Duguay (Top 5 Fiend)
Sara Dager (Bird Play Productions)
The Hammer Collective
Vasjan Zisi (Vasjan Presents)
Favorite Live Sound Engineer:
Adam Brunetti
Corey Demanche
Erik Gharaee
Greg Bass
Jacob Ellis
Jamie Doyle
Kris Hansen
Louis Oppenheimer
Mike LeBeau
Mikey Bullister
Steve Marano
Tayte Leigh
Tommy Allen