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Nominations are open now for the 2023 NIMAs. Click NOMINATE and put forward your favourite act for consideration.

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Amazon Music have signed an extended deal to support Australia’s premier Indigenous music event, with 2023 nominations open from today.

On August 12 this year, under the evening sky of Larrakia Country, the National Indigenous Music Awards will celebrate the finest in First Nations talent at its 2023 event, with nominations open from today. Amazon Music is sponsoring the event produced by MusicNT to honour the nation’s best musicians with a night of recognition and discovery at the Darwin Amphitheatre.

In an exciting new two-year sponsorship agreement, Amazon Music is committed to working with MusicNT to help the awards continue their evolution toward supporting First Nations musicians as well as nurturing and expanding its First Nations led production and creative team.

Laura Lukanz, Head of Music for Amazon Music UK, Australia & New Zealand said of the sponsorship; “We are proud to work alongside the teams at the National Indigenous Music Awards and MusicNT to continue to honour the nation’s most exceptional musicians. First Nations music is at the heart of Australian culture, and at Amazon Music we are honoured to be able to help these artists connect with their audiences through outlets like our Blak Loud playlist, alongside collaborations such as this one.”

In the 19 years since its conception, the NIMAs has grown to be one of the most prestigious awards ceremonies in the country by the work of many incredible creatives. Now, MusicNT are proud to announce the appointment of three new First Nations teams to produce this year’s event. The 2023 teams will include Ben Graetz as Creative Director (returning for his fourth successful year in the role), Libby Collins and Romana Paulson as event Coordinators, and Balya Productions’ Letisha Ackland leading Stage Production.

Ben Graetz commemorates the hard work going into this year’s event by First Nations-led teams; “Celebrating an incredible year of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music, the NIMAs are back on Larrakia Country. This year we look to honour and pay respect to all those artists, musicians and cultural storytellers that have contributed to keeping community strong and our culture alive.”

After broadcasting the 2022 ceremony to the world from Darwin, NITV will also provide their expert First Nations broadcast team to help spread the celebration to the furthest corners of the nation. Their dedicated team will capture every moment from the moving acceptance speeches to the exclusive performances, to be revealed soon.

Nominations are now open and can be made at nima.musicnt.com.au.

Photo (c) Benjamin Warlngundu Ellis Bayliss

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EMMA DONOVAN LED A MAGICAL TRIBUTE TO ARCHIE ROACH, MANUEL DHURKKAY INDUCTED GURRUMUL INTO THE HALL OF FAME WHILE BAKER BOY SWEPT UP THE WINS.

Last night the Darwin Amphitheatre hosted an emotional return to country for the National Indigenous Music Awards, after a two-year hiatus.

Under the Larrakia stars, the country’s finest artists were celebrated in a ceremony hosted by writer, actor and comedian, Steven Oliver. It involved performances from the beloved King Stingray, among many others, as well as a touching tribute to the late Uncle Archie Roach put on by Emma Donovan and Fred Leone.

Steven Oliver, a descendant of the Kukuyalanji, Waanyi, Gangalidda, Woppaburra, Bundjalung and Biripi peoples, was an immaculate host. He kept the crowd enthralled with his quick-wit and charm as he dished out awards to the best of the best on First Nations music.

To celebrate the life of the beloved Uncle Archie Roach, Emma Donovan and Fred Leone paired up to lead a rendition of Archie’s iconic track “We Won’t Cry”, joined on stage by a host of First Nations artists in front of a teary crowd. They honour the legacy of a powerhouse musician, storyteller and philanthropist whose imprint has already spanned generations, and will continue to do so.

The night’s big winner was Yolngu man Baker Boy, who took home trophies for the coveted Artist of the Year and Album of the Year for his debut record, Gela.

Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung indie artist Jem Cassar-Daley fast rise to success won her New Talent of the Year after the 2021 release of her debut EP, I Don’t Know Who to Call.

Yolngu surf-rock band King Stingray have received the coveted Song of the Year award for their single, ‘Milkumana,’ which signals the kind of success projected for their debut album, released on Friday.

Producing the finest First Nations clips of the year were Barkaa, the Malyangapa and Barkindji woman who was awarded Film Clip of the Year for her banging tune, ‘King Brown,’ and Indigenous Outreach Projects who earned Community Clip of the Year.

The Archie Roach Foundation Award went to Dobby

The NIMAs also celebrated the life and important work of Gurrumul, inducting him into the Hall of Fame as a part of the ceremony. He was tributed with a performance by his brother and Saltwater Band co-founder, Manuel Dhurrkay.

King Stingray treated us to a taste of their new record in an electrifying set. Birdz and Fred Leone teamed up to form a killer Hip-Hop duo, while Emma Donovan and the Putbacks put on a soulful show.

Yirrmal graced the stage with his singing, sharing Yolngu language, and the Red Flag Dancers performed traditional dance.

Noongar artist Bumpy performed a stunning set as the much-deserved winner of this year’s NIMAs triple j Unearthed contest. The evening was brought to your airwaves by NITV, Viceland, triple j and Double J in the first in-person ceremony that the NIMAs have been able to safely hold since 2019.

National Indigenous Music Awards Winners 2022

Artist of the Year

Baker Boy

Album of the Year

Baker Boy – Gela

New Talent of the Year

Jem Cassar-Daley

Song of the Year

King Stingray – Milkumana

Song Writers: Roy Kellaway / Gotjirringu Jerome Yunipingu

Film Clip of the Year

Barkaa – King Brown

Directed & Produced by: Sonder Films

Executive Producer: Vyva Entertainment

Community Clip of the Year

Numbulwar, NT – Loud & Proud

Directors & Producers: Indigenous Outreach Projects

/Matthew Mastratisi /Franceska Fusha / Lesley Phillips/Jordan O’Davis

Numbulwar Community & School

Hall of Fame

Gurrumul

Archie Roach Foundation Award

Dobby

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The National Indigenous Music Awards are paying tribute to Australian music legend Gurrumul this Saturday August 6 in a touching tribute from fellow Saltwater Band founder Manuel Dhurrkay. The first live National Indigenous Music Awards since 2019 is shaping up to be one of the most sensational yet. Hosted by the inimitable Steven Oliver, the show is live at the iconic Darwin Amphitheater presented by Amazon Music and broadcast around Australia from 7pm this Saturday on NITV, SBS Viceland, NIRS, Facebook and SBS On Demand. 

The Internationally acclaimed Yolŋu singer songwriter Gurrumul will be formally inducted into the NIMA Hall Of Fame on Saturday night with a special performance from Manuel Dhurrkay, where he will join previous inductees including Warumpi Band, Archie Roach, Roger Knox, Kev Carmody and his former band Yothu Yindi. 

Gurrumul’s legacy will be also be honoured this Thursday with the first Darwin performance of his critically acclaimed ‘Buŋgul’, a live celebration featuring the Darwin Symphony Orchestra. The event will commemorate his life, culture and final masterpiece ‘Djarimirri (Child Of The Rainbow)’ which was the first album in an Indigenous language to chart at #1. 

Gurrumul’s induction will also be celebrated with an exhibit at Melbourne’s Australian Music Vault from this Friday with an essay penned by award-winning journalist Tracee Hutchison available here. 

The NIMAs will also be honouring the life of Uncle Archie Roach as well as welcoming Noongar woman and triple j Unearthed winner Bumpy who will be bringing her soulful sounds of loss, joy and connection to the awards stage for the very first time. The night will also feature a massive lineup of Australian talent, with performances by Thelma Plum, King Stingray, Emma Donovan & the Putbacks, Birdz & Fred Leone, Yirrmal, J-MILLA and the Red Flag Dancers. 

On Sunday from 5pm, join Blak Out for a wrap of the country’s biggest First Nations music event simulcast across triple j, Double J and triple j Unearthed. Host Nooky will be live from Larrakia country catching up with the winners and performances from the ceremony, as well as all the not to be missed backstage antics. 

Leading this year’s NIMA finalist list is BARKAA, the Malyangapa and Barkindji woman and fast-rising star with four NIMA nominations. Known for her hard-hitting rap tracks, BARKAA has earned candidacy for her songs ‘King Brown’ and ‘Black Matriarchy’, and the title of New Talent of the Year. Following with three nominations Yolngu man Baker Boy for his debut album, Gela, and its track ‘My Mind’. He’s also up for Artist of the Year. Amongst the brightest lights in Australian music, the nominee list also includes previous finalists and winners The Kid Laroi, Jessica Mauboy, Electric Fields, King Stingray, Miiesha, Mo Ju, Emma Donovan & the Putbacks, Birdz, Dallas Woods, Archie Roach, Tasman Keith and Tilly Tjala Thomas. Jem Cassar-Daley, Lil Kootsie, Dobby and dameeeela are receiving their first ever nominations. Listen to the nominees playlist now, on Amazon Music. 

Head of Entertainment, Events & Creative, NITV, Adam Manovic said, “The NIMAs play an incredibly important role in championing emerging artists and honouring legends in the First Nations music community. We’re proud to once again support this incredible music event, and share the biggest and brightest First Nations talents Australia wide with our broadcast. “We’re excited for the return of the live event this year, and look forward to sharing this with all corners of the country on both NITV and SBS VICELAND. The NIMAs are an integral part of our Music/Arts event slate at NITV – and – Music is culture, and culture is culture, the foundation of all First Nations storytelling.” 

The NIMAs are supported by the Northern Territory Government and Australia Council for the Arts in association with Darwin Festival. 

The NIMAs are an NITV production simulcast on NITV and SBS VICELAND on Saturday 6 August LIVE at 7:30pm AEST and will be available to stream on SBS On Demand. 

PURCHASE TICKETS VIA DARWINFESTIVAL.ORG.AU

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We are deeply saddened by the passing of Uncle Archie. Having contributed so much to the music scene not only here in Australia but all over the world, Uncle Archie’s music touched our hearts and souls and for this we will forever be grateful for his music, voice, song and lyrics.

Thank you Uncle for your contribution to the NIMAs over the many years and now may you forever keep singing in the Dreamtime with your ancestors.

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BARKAA, Thelma Plum and Baker Boy lead the nominations while Thelma, King Stingray, Emma Donovan and the Putbacks, Birdz and Fred Leone will lead a killer Darwin awards show proudly supported by Amazon Music – the first live NIMAs ceremony since 2019.

Finalists for this year’s coveted National Indigenous Music Awards have been chosen, along with the ceremony’s live performance lineup, with more artists to be announced soon. More than twenty talented artists have been nominated as the finest in First Nations music, with winners to be chosen under the stars at Darwin Amphitheatre on August 6.

After two years of live performances canceled, this massive celebration of Indigenous music is back to celebrate in person with the community. Already announced artists Thelma Plum and King Stingray will be joined onstage by a slew of deadly talent from Emma Donovan & the Putbacks, Birdz & Fred Leone, Yirrmal, and J-MILLA.

Leading this year’s finalist list is BARKAA, the Malyangapa and Barkindji woman and fast-rising star with four NIMA nominations. Known for her hard-hitting rap tracks, BARKAA has earnt candidacy for her songs ‘King Brown’ and ‘Black Matriarchy’, and the title of New Talent of the Year.

Following with three nominations are Gamilaraay artist Thelma Plum, for her stellar new single, ‘Backseat of My Mind,’ and Yolngu man Baker Boy for his debut album, Gela. Each has also been nominated for Artist of the Year.

Amongst the brightest lights in the country’s performance industry, the nominee list also includes previous finalists and winners The Kid Laroi, Jessica Mauboy, Electric Fields, King Stingray, Miiesha, Mo’Ju, Emma Donovan, Birdz, Dallas Woods, Archie Roach, Tasman Keith and Tilly Tjala Thomas.

Jem Cassar-Daley, Kootsie Don, Dobby and Dameeeela are receiving their first ever nominations. Listen to the nominees playlist now, on Amazon Music.

They’ll each be in contention for the coveted titles of Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Album of the Year, Film Clip of the Year, New Talent of the Year and Community Clip of the Year in what was a huge year for First Nations art.

With COVID-19 forcing the postponement of last year’s live event in Darwin, the NIMAs partnered with triple j and its First Nations show, Blak Out, to create a two-hour special. This year, for the first time since 2019, the ceremony will be able to safely take place in-person.

“After a two year hiatus it’s very exciting to be bringing the NIMAs back to the Darwin Amphitheatre on Larrakia Country,” said NIMA Creative Director Ben Graetz, “I’m thrilled to see such an extraordinary list of finalists this year and cannot wait for live performances from some of our most powerful First Nations musicians such as Thelma Plum and Emma Donovan. This year is all about coming together and celebrating as one big community.”

Tickets for the event are on sale now, via the ticket link at nima.musicnt.com.au. The NIMAs are supported by the Northern Territory Government and Australia Council for the Arts in association with Darwin Festival.

2022 NATIONAL INDIGENOUS MUSIC AWARDS NOMINATIONS

Artist of the Year

Kid Laroi

Jessica Mauboy

Baker Boy

Electric Fields

Thelma Plum

King Stingray

Song of the Year

Backseat of My Mind – Thelma Plum

Made For Silence – Miiesha

Milkumana – King Stingray

Sometime – Mo Ju

King Brown – Barkaa

Album of the Year

Baker Boy – Gela

Emma Donovan & The Putbacks – Under These Streets

Jem Cassar-Daley – I Don’t Know Who to Call

Birdz – Legacy

Dallas Woods – Julie’s Boy

Archie Roach – My songs 1989 – 2021

Film Clip of the Year

Love Too Soon – Tasman Keith

King Brown – Barkaa

Blak Matriarchy – Barkaa

My Mind – Baker Boy

Automatic – Jessica Mauboy

New Talent of the Year

Barkaa

Jem Cassar-Daley

Kootsie Don

Tilly Tjala Thomas

Dobby

Dameeeela

Community Clip of the Year

Koori Mob – Our Country, Our Life – Desert Pea Media

Gumbaynggirr Collective – Through the Smoke – Desert Pea Media

Doomadgee, QLD – Where We Wanna Be – Indigenous Outreach Project

Numbulwar, NT – Loud & Proud – Indigenous Outreach Project

Ballarat, VIC – Don’t Give Up On Yourself – Indigenous Outreach Project

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One of Australia’s most important music events returns to Darwin in 2022; zoom accounts not required!

This August 6, one of Australia’s most important and prestigious events – the National Indigenous Music Awards – is finally reclaiming its rightful place on Larrakia Country at Darwin’s iconic Amphitheater to celebrate their fourteenth birthday, this time in the company of Mob, friends, family and fans.

After two long hard years of false starts,virtual ceremonies, zoom calls and patchy service, The National Indigenous Music Awards will once again welcome back the larger Australian music community to its home under the stars, in the picturesque home of the Larrakia people, for an overdue celebration of Indigenous music.

Having grown over the past eighteen years to become the preeminent engagement on the First Nations music calendar, the NIMAs has provided an important platform for the industry’s biggest artists as well as paying respects to those who have paved the way for the new breed of talent. 

With Thelma Plum and King Stingray just the tip of the live performance iceberg, the night is set to be a true celebration of what has been a huge year of First Nations music. With live shows starting to tour around the country, the industry is finally getting back on its feet and the NIMAs this year will be a chance to come together to share our collective experiences of the last two years, while celebrating the future of our vibrant industry. 

“We are so excited to have the NIMAs back in real life,” said NIMA Creative Director Ben Graetz. “The awards have always been a special place to connect with mob and for artists to get together to celebrate their artistry and culture. The last two years of virtual events have been challenging but it has also  allowed us to get to people far and wide, across Australia and beyond, but getting back to country and being together to celebrate music will be a true homecoming for our industry.”

Tickets for the event go on sale today, while award nominations are also open for First Nations releases from the past twelve months, with artists, industry and the general public welcome to put forward their favourites from across the year at nima.musicnt.com.au. . 

Supported by the Territory Government and in association with Darwin Festival, the NIMAs has secured itself as a must-attend event on Darwin’s calendar and for the music industry at large.

For media inquiries please contact:
SGC Group – Mitch Fresta
Mitch@sgcmedia.com

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Wrapping up just moments ago, the National Indigenous Music Awards has once again proven itself as one of the most important nights on the Ausmusic calendar!

Teaming up to bring you a totally reimagined version of the awards ceremony, the NIMAs and triple j’s First Nations show, Blak Out crafted an epic broadcast that was heard across Australia – and the world – via triple j, Double J and triple j Unearthed as well as being available to First Nations community radio stations via The National Indigenous Radio Service.

The night was hosted by proud Yuin man and future Mayor of Nowra, Nooky and triple j presenter royalty Karla Ranby who joined forces to celebrate the year in First Nations music and dish out a whole lot of awards!

Taking home the coveted Artist of the Year Award for 2021 was proud Kamilaroi artist, The Kid LAROI. Hailing from Sydney, Laroi has garnered international acclaim with hits like ‘Stay (feat. Justin Bieber)’, which recently logged 10 weeks at US No. 1 on Billboard’s Pop Airplay chart.

Bundjalung rapper, JK-47 won Album of the Year with his incredibly bold debut record ‘Made For This’. The Tweed Heads local is solidifying himself on the national stage and adding to his trophy cabinet.

Aṉangu/Torres Strait Islander artist Miiesha’s deeply personal single ‘Damaged’ (written with Stephen Collins) took home the award for ‘Song of the Year’, while Coodjinburra musician

Budjerah won ‘Best New Talent of the Year’, and of course, the fresh prince of Arnhem Land,

Baker Boy, swooped in to score ‘Best Film Clip of the Year’ for ‘Ride ft. Yirrmal’.

Guwanbal Gurruwiwi and Netanela Mizrahi scored ‘Indigenous Language Award of the Year’

for The Djari Project, while Community Clip of the Year went to Kakadu Collective & Victor Rostron for ‘Mayali’.

The National Indigenous Music Awards also celebrated the life and vastly important work of Indigenous musician Kev Carmody, inducting him into the Hall of Fame as part of the 2021 award ceremony.

“I’m absolutely so proud, humbled and honored to accept the award on behalf of all of us. Past, present and of course future, because it’s a collective way of thinking in my opinion, that we all go together and no one gets left behind.” Said Kev Carmody.

“I’m so proud of the young ones! It might be rap, it might be hip hop, it might be reggae; we’re still expressing [ourselves] through the oral cultural traditions, which is songs and storytelling, it’s just in a musical sense. I’m so proud of our young mob with the music, and with dance – that’s an interpretation too – and art. That’s our way of passing on our oral tradition and I think it’s fantastic. I can sit back now. I’ve played my four chords and that’s it.”

The NT’s own J-MILLA took home the Archie Roach Foundation Award, recognising his achievements over the past 12 months and supporting the next stage of his growth as an artist.

Special guests from around the country also bumped the airwaves, including comedian Steven Oliver, actress Elaine Crombie and NIMAs Creative Director Benjamin Graetz. We also heard live crosses to the Torres Strait, Tasmania and the Northern Territory with community artists DENNI, and Yirrmal.

Electric Fields performed a beautiful rendition of Kev’s iconic ‘From Little Things, Big Things Grow’ as a tribute to his legacy and in honour of his induction. Tilly Tjala Thomas also graced us with an intimate performance of her original song, ‘Ngai Yulku Nhiina.’

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With COVID-19 forcing the postponement of this year’s live event in Darwin, the NIMAs have partnered with triple j and it’s First Nations show, Blak Out, to create a two-hour special on Sunday 14 November. The reimagined event will feature exclusive performances as we celebrate one of the biggest years in First Nations music.

NOOKY

Join host of triple j’s Blak Out, proud Yuin man and future Mayor of Nowra, Nooky, as he dishes out some mad yarns, wicked tunes and a whole lot of awards!

You can tune in to triple j, Double J and triple j Unearthed to catch it all from 5-7pm on Sunday November 14.

With 2020’s video event reaching over 200,000 people across NITV, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Double J, 2021 will see the NIMAs innovate for a second time.

“It’s unfortunate that the live event is unable to go ahead this year at the Darwin amphitheatre but I am extremely excited to be working with Nooky and all the team at triple j, celebrating musical Blak Excellence through the radio!” said Ben Graetz, NIMAs creative director.

“NIMA, NIMA, NIMA, pumpkin eater! I’m pumped to be hosting the NIMAs and celebrating the mob. It’s been a big year for Blak music and it’s mad we get to celebrate it here on Blak Out. It’s the two-hours of power special and I’m G’d up. Let’s go!” said Nooky, host of Blak Out.

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COVID causing havoc across the country has forced the National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs), initially scheduled for August 7 at the Darwin Amphitheatre, to be postponed.

New South Wales declared a hotspot by the Northern Territory government and strict COVID restrictions remaining in Melbourne and Adelaide have rendered a date change for the much-loved First Nations music gathering set to celebrate the extraordinary talent and output of First Nations music stars.

Mere weeks before the spotlight was to shine on a diverse cross-section of deservedly nominated First Nations artists meeting on Larrakia land, the current COVID climate in Australia has made it increasingly clear the festivities have to be put on pause until later in the year to ensure performers and nominees can be together for the annual celebration.

“It is unfortunate yet the best choice for all our artists and community that we move this year’s event to ensure the night celebrates togetherness,” said NIMA Creative Director, Ben Graetz.

Community support and ticket sales have never been higher than this year and it is clear that First Nations artists have never had more to celebrate. We look forward to having the opportunity to honour the incredibly talented artists who have contributed to putting First Nations music on the world stage at a later date in 2021.”

The NIMA team is working to secure a revised date to allow the NIMAs to deliver on being Australia’s biggest First Nations music event, with this year’s 25 nominees including three-time finalists The KID LAROI, Sycco, and Baker Boy, who are joined by two-time finalists Birdz, Miiesha, and Tia Gostelow, and first-time NIMA nominees Budjerah, J-MILLA, King Stingray, and Chasing Ghosts, as well as last year’s Triple J Unearthed NIMAs winner, JK-47.

All current NIMAs 2021 ticket holders will be contacted in the coming weeks with the opportunity to transfer their tickets to the to-be-confirmed new date or to be refunded.

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THE KID LAROI, SYCCO & BAKER BOY SHINE IN 2021 NIMAS NOMINATIONS

The extraordinary talent and output of First Nations music stars will be celebrated at this year’s National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs). Today, we unveil the 2021 finalists including The Kid LAROI, Sycco, and Baker Boy, each with three nominations.

This August 7, the Darwin Amphitheatre will host Australia’s premier First Nations music event, shining its spotlight on a diverse cross-section of 14 nominated First Nations solo artists and 11 First Nations groups deservedly shortlisted across seven categories. From heavy metal to hip-hop, pop, and folk, this year’s nominees prove First Nations music refuses to be pigeonholed and is making its mark on the world stage.

Sitting alongside The Kid LAROI, Sycco, and Baker Boy are two-time finalists Birdz, Miiesha, and Tia Gostelow, and first-time NIMA nominees Budjerah, J-MILLA, King Stingray, and Chasing Ghosts, as well as last year’s Triple J Unearthed NIMAs winner, JK-47. 2021 has cemented itself as a transformative time for First Nations artists. The international stardom of The Kid LAROI has had a game-changing influence on not only the music industry globally but, most importantly, his Kamilaroi community.

Collaborating with Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber as well as dominating the Australian music charts by setting a record as the youngest Australian solo artist, The Kid LAROI has reiterated the promising potential of First Nations artists and their pursuit of musical recognition.

Equally, it has been a momentous year of success: Miiesha’s meteoric rise saw her nominated for five ARIA categories, taking home Best Soul/R&B Release, and score a hattrick at the 2021 Queensland Music Awards (QMAs); Triple J’s 2020 Unearthed Level Up grant winner, Sycco, who has supported the likes of Vera Blue, City Calm Down, and Spacey Jane, claimed QMAs’ 2021 Song of the Year and the Pop category for her dynamic single, Dribble; Fan-favourite Troy Cassar-Daley used music as his medicine in his 11th studio album, The World Today, which tackles mental health, marital breakdown, and the crippling impact of a worldwide pandemic; and Jessica Mauboy recently wrapped filming as a Coach on The Voice Australia and is now focussed on finishing her fifth album. NIMAs’ Creative Director Ben Graetz is thrilled to be able to gather Indigenous communities once again and is honoured to have the calibre of talent in 2021’s finalists.

“This year, as we focus on healing and reflection, we have the wonderful opportunity to reconnect as a community to discover and celebrate the magic of music from both up-and-coming and established First Nation artists,” said Ben.

“The finalists are some of the most talented musicians across the country and the world, and we are proud to be able to provide a platform for their musical craft to be recognised.”

Supported by the Territory Government and in association with Darwin Festival, the NIMAs has secured itself as a must-attend event on Darwin’s calendar and for the music industry at large. This starlit night of discovery and reconnection on Larrakia land will showcase one of the strongest musical lineups in the event’s 17-year history with performances by Baker Boy, Miiesha, Electric Fields, King Stingray, Dallas Woods and Kee’Ahn, and Alice Skye.

Hosted by comedian Steven Oliver (Faboriginal, A Chance Affair, Black Comedy), the celebration of music, song, dance, and the oldest surviving culture in the world will be broadcasted via NITV and online platforms (NITV, Double J, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter), inviting music fans near and far to gather and celebrate the skyrocketing success of these First Nations artists.

NATIONAL INDIGENOUS MUSIC AWARDS

2021 NIMAs FINALISTS

Artist of the Year

Sycco

Birdz

Miiesha

Baker Boy

The Kid LAROI

Jessica Mauboy

Album of the Year

Tia Gostelow – Chrysalis

The Kid LAROI – F*ck Love

Leah Flanagan – Colour by Number

Made For This – JK-47

Benny Walker – Chosen Line

Song of the Year

Baker Boy, Dallas Woods, Sampa The Great – Better

Days

Birdz – Bagi-la-m Bargan

Miiesha – Damaged

The Kid LAROI – Without You

Sycco – Dribble

New Talent of the Year

J-MILLA

Beddy Rays

King Stingray

Budjerah

Chasing Ghosts

Film Clip of the Year

Budjerah – Higher

Baker Boy – Ride ft. Yirrmal

Troy Cassar-Daley – Back On Country

Sycco – My Ways

Tia Gostelow – Two Lovers

Community Clip of the Year

Kakadu Collective and Victor Rostron – Mayali

Dunghutti community in South West Rocks – Fig Tree

Mob – ‘Barrunba (Dreaming)’

Indigenous Outreach Projects – Gunbalanya School – Stories of the Land

Indigenous Outreach Projects – Gunbalanya School – Talk About Emotions

Students of Peppimenarti School – Stand Strong

Indigenous Language Award of the Year

Guwanbal Gurruwiwi and Netanela Mizrahii – The Djari Project

Shellie Morris and Jason Durrurrnga – Dharuk Gurtha

Garrangali Band – Tongues of the Fire

Stuart Joel Nuggett – I Am That Man/Ngaaya-Baaya

Stuart Joel Nuggett – Monsoon/Kuyubulu

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The National Indigenous Music Awards are proud to unveil a huge live performance lineup for the 2021 event at the Darwin Amphitheatre on August 7. An extraordinary celebration of music, song, dance and the oldest surviving culture in the world, the night will once again be broadcast via NITV and online platforms, focusing on healing and reflection after a challenging time for our community.

With lockdowns, remote communities cut off from loved ones and a music community on its knees from the impact on touring and live performances, the NIMAs is a time for our First Nations music sector to come together as one with all of our community on Larrakia land to share stories, reflect on our shared experiences and look to our future.  

This year’s musical lineup is one of the strongest in the event’s seventeen-year strong history with Baker Boy, Miiesha, Electric Fields, King Stingray, Dallas Woods and Kee’Ahn, Alice Skye and more to be revealed. 

After last year’s hosting interrupted by border closures, the host with the most Steven Oliver (Faboriginal, A Chance Affair, Black Comedy) will finally grace the stage to bring together the exclusive performances and the coveted award presentations, switching last year’s intimate indoor celebration for the bright stars of the Top End.

Creative Director Ben Graetz explained that this year’s theme of collective experience, healing and reflection has never been more pertinent as the world grapples with COVID-19. 

“The vision for this year’s awards is to draw on our opportunity to come together and celebrate in person and as a community. We will reflect on our journey over the past year and acknowledge each others’ personal stories of being able to push through the challenging times but also finding gentle opportunities in these moments. This year we focus on healing as a community and how, through the magnetism of music, we can make this happen.”

Last year’s virtual NIMAs was the biggest in the event’s history, reaching over 250,000 people with broadcasts across NITV, Double J, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. Featuring live performances captured across Australia including Archie Roach, Miiesha, Thelma Plum, Mambali,  JK-47 and more, the event also crossed live to communities as far as Yirrkala and Broome, with an amazing buzz lighting up social media and providing togetherness in a year that needed it most. This year’s event will continue to reach out across the country in a program that will welcome and include its online audience. 

Nominations for this year’s awards close tomorrow (May 28) and are open for any member of the community to nominate First Nations artists or releases from the last twelve months. For more details, visit nima.musicnt.com.au.Tickets for the National Indigenous Music Awards are on sale now from www.darwinfestival.org.au.

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The National Indigenous Music Awards are proud to announce that 2021 will see the return of Australia’s biggest First Nations gala music gathering at their traditional home, the Darwin Amphitheatre on August 7. The night will once again be broadcast via NITV and online platforms and incorporate contributions from across the country, building on last year’s record-breaking audience and bringing the magic of the night to the living rooms and phones of all Australians. 

With previous performers including Jessica Mauboy, Baker Boy, Archie Roach, Gurrumul and Thelma Plum, the National Indigenous Music Awards provides the opportunity for the community to gather, celebrate the success of First Nations artists, discover new talent and create a unique outdoor event under the stars on Larrakia land for people from around Australia to experience live. 

This year’s event welcomes a new First Nations led team with last year’s Creative Director Ben Graetz returning along with new Associate Creative Director Nina Fitzgerald and NIMAs veteran Romana Paulson stepping into the Project Manager role. 

Ben Graetz is a descendant of the Iwaidja and Malak Malak clans in the Northern Territory and of Badu Island in the Torres Strait. He has worked in the performing arts sector for close to twenty-four years, establishing himself as a dynamic and influential artist, performer, director, producer, writer, MC and artistic director.  

Nina Fitzgerald is a proud Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander woman who has recently returned home to Darwin after eight years studying and working in Melbourne. With a strong commitment to Indigenous advancement and the continued elevation of Indigenous Arts and Culture in the broader Australian narrative, her career includes Creative Direction, writing and research, with particular focus on the growing Indigenous fashion and textiles space. 

Romana Paulson is a proud Bundjalung, Mununjali & Wiradjuri woman from Yugembah Country Australia and is also ni-Vanuatu peoples from Vanuatu Islands in the South Pacific Ocean Nation. She has worked on the event for the last four years as part of the Agentur team. This year stepping up as Project Manager, Romana brings a wealth of both cultural and event experience to guide the team as the event grows. 

“2020 was a year like no other and morphing what has always been an amazing night of connection and togetherness into a completely virtual event was a challenging but rewarding experience,” said Creative Director Ben Graetz. “This year however, we can return bigger and better than ever, creating a stunning physical event once more and using the learnings of last year’s record-breaking virtual audience to retain the best elements of both worlds. 2021 will bring the event to Australia across many platforms, led by our long-time partners NITV, while creating a special night of connection under the stars here on Larrakia Country.”

Last year’s virtual NIMAs was the biggest in the event’s history, reaching over 250,000 people with broadcasts across NITV, Double J, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. Featuring live performances captured across Australia including Archie Roach, Miiesha, Thelma Plum, Mambali,  JK-47 and more, the event also crossed live to communities as far as Yirrkala and Broome, with an amazing buzz lighting up social media and providing togetherness in a year that needed it most. 

Head of Indigenous Content at SBS, Tanya Denning-Orman, said: “It’s a pleasure to welcome the NIMAs back to our screens in 2021. After a challenging 2020, we’re looking forward to bringing Australia a great show that highlights the incredible talents of our First Nations music community.”

Northern Territory Minister for Major Events Natasha Fyles said: “The National Indigenous Music Awards is proudly held in Darwin and presents an excellent opportunity to showcase fabulous Indigenous talent in the Territory and across Australia. “The Territory Labor Government is proud to support this event which is renowned for promoting and celebrating Indigenous musicians from the Territory.”

Nominations are open from today for the public to nominate Indigenous releases and artists across seven categories from artist and album of the year, through to Indigenous language and community clip of the year. To nominate yourself or your favourite artist, visit nima.musicnt.com.au. Nominations close on May 28.

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REPLAY THE EVENT RIGHT NOW ON SBS ON DEMAND, YOUTUBE, FACEBOOK OR TWITTER
STREAM THE NIMA 2020 PLAYLIST ON APPLE MUSIC OR SPOTIFY
 

COVID closures and pandemic restrictions weren’t enough to dampen the spirits at this year’s National Indigneous Music Awards, with the event going completely virtual for the first time across TV, radio and online, showing the resilience and tenacity of a community intent on celebrating First Nations talent from across our lands. 

The night’s big winner was Yolngu man Baker Boy who took home trophies for Artist of the Year, Song of the Year and Film Clip of the Year for his hit Meditjin. Accepting his award live from Bendigo, Baker Boy offered love for his fellow First Nations artists and thanked his family across Arnhem Land for their belief and support.

“Woah, my heart! This is crazy. I honestly didn’t think I could win at all tonight, but I just want to say to all the nominees tonight across all of the categories; you are incredible, you are amazing and I am so proud of you all, my brothers and sisters,” said Baker Boy. 

“To my family back in Darwin across Arnhem Land, I’m so proud to represent my people and so overwhelmed by the support and success I have achieved rapping in Yolgnu Matha and English.”

Other big winners on the night were Archie Roach who won Album Of The Year for ‘Tell Me Why’, Miiesha with New Talent of the Year, KDA Crew for Community Clip of the Year and Rrawun Maymuru and Nick Wales who took out the Indigenous Language Award for Nyapillilngu (Spirit Lady) and Kee’Ahn who won the Archie Roach Foundation Award. 

The two-hour broadcast was rocked by a last minute host change as NT border closures unfortunately benched one of the intended hosts Stephen Oliver, with the legendary Elaine Crombie joined on the night by NIMA Creative Director Ben Graetz. 

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The National Indigenous Music Awards have added a special in-studio performance from Midnight Oil, Kaleena Briggs, Bunna Lawrie and Dan Sultan to their already-impressive line up for the annual awards show on August 8. 

Broadcast across TV, radio and online from 7pm AEST on Saturday night in partnership with NITV, the performance of new single “Gadigal Land” is sure to be a highlight of the night as the music community comes together to celebrate First Nations culture. The song takes its name from Sydney’s traditional owners, many of whom continue to live in the city. The Gadigal (also sometimes spelt “Cadigal”) lands include what is now the CBD plus areas from South Head through to the inner west. “Gadigal Land” is a provocative recount of what happened in this place, and elsewhere in Australia, since 1788. 

This single is the first new music from Midnight Oil in nearly 20 years. It features special contributions by vocalists Kaleena Briggs, Bunna Lawrie, Dan Sultan plus a lyrical section written and delivered by Gadigal poet, Joel Davison. Like all the band’s new recordings it was produced by long time collaborator Warne Livesey who also helmed legendary Midnight Oil albums, “Diesel & Dust”, “Blue Sky Mining” and “Capricornia“. 

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Performances from Archie Roach, Thelma Plum, Miiesha and more, live crosses to Jessica Mauboy, Mitch Tambo, Electric Fields & Warumpi Band Tribute 

The performers for this year’s National Indigenous Music Awards have been announced today, including a tribute to the Warumpi Band with an exclusive performance of ‘My Island Home’ featuring songwriter Neil Murray and the artist who took it to the mainstream, Christine Anu alongside Mau Power, Jim Moginie and Rob Hirst. 

The awards, broadcast on National Indigenous Television (NITV), Double J, National Indigenous Radio Service, Facebook, Youtube and Twitter at 7pm AEST on August 8 will also feature national treasure Archie Roach, Gumbaynggirr and Yamatji singer Emma Donovan and the new guard of Australian music including Gamilaraay singer Thelma Plum, Pitjantjatjara and Torres Strait Island R&B star Miiesha, Numbulwar band Mambali and triple j Unearthed competition winners JK-47. 

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NATIONAL BROADCAST WELCOMES NITV, DOUBLE J, NIRS, TWITTER, YOUTUBE AND FACEBOOK TO CREATE UNIQUE MULTI-PLATFORM ONLINE EVENT

STREAM THE NIMA 2020 PLAYLIST ON APPLE MUSIC OR SPOTIFY

The nominations for this year’s National Indigenous Music Awards have been announced today, with a huge geographic and genre range, representing a true snapshot of Australia’s First Nations talent. 

The awards, produced in partnership with NITV will be broadcast at 7pm (AEST) on August 8 across a host of platforms including NITV for free-to-air television, Double J on digital radio, National Indigenous Radio Service broadcasters on terrestrial radio and Twitter, Facebook and YouTube across the online world. The night will be hosted by Elaine Crombie (Top Of The Lake, Top End Wedding, Black Comedy) and Steven Oliver (Faboriginal, A Chance Affair, Black Comedy), bringing a fun and family-friendly program to screens and speakers of all sizes. 

Today’s announcement of finalists in seven categories honour twenty-four First Nations artists, led by Miiesha and Baker Boy with three appearances each. Finalists also include Jessica Mauboy, Archie Roach, Thelma Plum, Mau Power, Briggs, Electric Fields, Dallas Woods, Kee‘ahn and more, showing a rich breadth of talent from the grassroots, right through to chart-toppers and ARIA nominees.

It has been a huge year for Indigenous artists with Jessica Mauboy hitting the #1 spot on the ARIA Albums chart with ‘Hilda’, while Miiesha’s ‘Nyaaringu’ was triple j’s Feature Album and is already making many critics’ lists for 2020. Thelma Plum’s ‘Better in Blak’ was a finalist in the prestigious Australian Music Prize while Uncle Archie Roach released his inspirational autobiography and the companion album ‘Tell Me Why’. Our First Nations artists are more visible than ever before, raising their strong voices for #blacklivesmatter and taking centre stage in the nation’s response to COVID-19 providing inspiration and innovation with webcasts and online performances which have pushed our music and culture to an increasingly international audience.

Overseen by Creative Director Ben Graetz, the NIMAs will be live from Larrakia Country (Darwin), with artists joining in from around the country performing live, accepting awards and joining in the national celebration of Indigenous music. Performers, guests, the Hall of Fame inductee and a few very special surprises will be announced soon for what is sure to be an unmissable community event. 

“What makes this year so exciting, is that we are able to involve and showcase many more of our First Nation artists & musicians through the virtual platform. Also to be able to connect regionally and remotely is extremely exciting,” said Ben Graetz.

For the first time, the NIMAs will welcome a 100% First Nations camera crew for the production as well as a majority First Nations production crew as it moves towards a path of First Nations self-determination.

The National Indigenous Music Awards airs at 7pm AEST on August 8 across NITV, Double J, National Indigenous Radio Service, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. 

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The annual event that celebrates and spotlights First Nations artists will proceed via a virtual setting on August 8 across TV, radio and online.

Host TV broadcaster NITV will join with radio and online partners to create a unique presentation live from Darwin, Larrakia Country and locations across Australia.

Channel manager at NITV, Tanya Denning-Orman, said the network is proud to continue the tradition broadcasting the important awards and performances.

NITV is committed to celebrating Indigenous musicians from all over Australia. Music has always been a strong part of our people’s Cultures,” said Denning-Orman.

Viewers will be encouraged to join in on social media and “will contribute to the event live, bringing the country together in an ambitious production”.

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The National Indigenous Music Awards are pleased to announce in the face of the COVID19 pandemic, that they will continue in 2020, reacting to a climate where celebrating and shining a light on First Nations artists is even more important than ever. Opening their nominations today, the NIMAs are ready to face the challenge of building and supporting community in a changed world.

The NIMAs are responsive to the health needs of Australians, particularly those in our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. The NIMAs have always played an integral part in bringing us together as a community and this year we will take the opportunity to innovate, providing a multimedia experience which will celebrate not only music, but also the way technology has transformed Indigenous life, be it in our major capital cities, or our remote communities.

The National Indigenous Music Awards will work with media partners to create a rich program of live music across multiple screens and the ability for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people from across the country to connect with the program, the artists and each other with the announcement of new NIMAs Creative Director, Iwaidja, Malak Malak and Badu Island man Ben Graetz.

A fierce advocate for the First Nations, disability, LGBTIQA+ and arts communities, Graetz has served as Artistic Director of the Darwin Pride Festival, Darwin Entertainment Centre, Garrmalang Festival and Arafura Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies and was awarded the prestigious Artist of the Year in last year’s LGBTI Australia Awards for his nationally-renowned alter-ego Miss Ellaneous. Graetz said he was excited by the challenge of helming the awards, which usually attract over 4,000 each year in Darwin, even with the additional complexities that COVID-19 has presented.

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It is the First Nations music night of nights and the 2019 National Indigenous Music Awards exceeded expectations, producing the annual award ceremony’s largest ever crowd, as well as an amazing variety of stellar live performances.

Held under the stars at Darwin’s iconic amphitheatre, dancers from Larrakia/Belyuen, Mornington Island and North Winds kicked off the festivities before emerging hip-hop artist Tasman Keith took to the stage with an energy-filled performance.

Following the announcement of Deni Mob’s ‘State of the Heart’ as this year’s Community Music Clip Award, Triple J Unearthed winner Dallas Woods wowed the crowd with his spitfire lyrics before being joined by the 2018 New Talent of the Year winner Baker Boy to perform their hit single ‘Black Magic’.

Violinist/vocalist Eric Avery held the 3000-strong crowd captive throughout his hauntingly beautiful set before the announcement of the 2019 Hall of Fame inductees, this year’s honours went to Tiddas as well as Wilma Reading, who also treated the crowd to a live performance.

Soprano Deborah Cheetman showcased her incredible vocal skills with an emotive and moving set before Uncle Archie Roach took to the stage with Uncle Jack Charles, followed shortly by all-girls choir Spinifex Gum, their 20-minute set a highlight for many.

Next up was 2015 Artist of the Year winner Dan Sultan, before Mojo Juju’s ‘Native Tongue’ was announced as the recipient of the Album of the Year Award. This was followed by an exciting performance from electronic duo and Eurovision alumni Electric Fields.

The final award of the evening, the Artist of the Year Award, went to the Fresh Prince of Arnhem Land himself Baker Boy, before the evening was rounded out with a half-hour show-stopping performance from Darwin musical royalty Jessica Mauboy.

Congratulation to all of the recipients of the 2019 National Indigenous Music Awards:

Artist Of The Year

Baker Boy

Album of the Year

Mojo Juju – Native Tongue

Song of The Year

Mojo Juju – Native Tongue

New Talent Of The Year

Kaiit

Film Clip Of The Year

Briggs – Life Is Incredible

Director: Dylan River

Community Clip Of The Year

Deni Mob – State Of The Heart

Hall of Fame Inductees

Tiddas

Wilma Reading

Archie Roach Foundation Award

Mambali

Special Recognition Award

Djuki Mala

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Nominations are now open for the 2019 National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) signalling the beginning of the sixteenth year of the event providing a well-deserved platform for First Nation’s talent in Australia, raising Indigenous music to grand new heights.

The awards will return to Darwin’s iconic Amphitheatre on August 10. The public and industry are encouraged to nominate any Indigenous album or single released after June 1, 2018 for inclusion in this year’s awards by visiting www.indigenousmusic.com.au

This year will see the first NIMAs following the launch of the weekly National Indigenous Music Chart, which has given a weekly insight into the achievements of Indigenous musicians across the whole year, not only celebrating big names like Jessica Mauboy, Busby Marou and Thelma Plum, but also shining a light on the achievements of new artists like Kaiit, Tasman Keith, Dallas Woods and Drmngnow.

“Whether it is acknowledging greats of the past or discovering the talent of the future, the NIMAs continue to hold an important place in the Australian music calendar for both recognition and discovery of First Nations talent,” said National Indigenous Music Awards Reference Group Chair Warren H. Williams. “The event continues to evolve and cement its relevance across the year to show Australia the wide range of amazing music that Indigenous people contribute to Australia’s musical canon.”

The 2018 National Indigenous Music Awards saw the event leap forward in strides with big growth in both audience and nominations, as well as stellar performances by Young Australian of the Year, Baker Boy, ARIA chart toppers Busby Marou and Hall of Fame inductee Roger Knox.

Last years’ awards also offered a thoughtful recognition of the past with Indigenous music legend Gurrumul posthumously winning Artist Of The Year, Album Of The Year and Song Of The Year, and a look to the future with break-out Arnhem Land talent Baker Boy taking home Best New Talent and Film Clip Of The Year.

It has been a big year for Indigenous musicians including Mojo Juju and Dan Sultan nominated for three and two ARIA nominations apiece, Electric Fields becoming runners up to be Australia’s Eurovision entrant, Baker Boy cracking commercial radio with ‘Cool as Hell’ and Gurrumul winning the Australian Music Prize and four ARIAs for ‘Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow).

Judging of the National Indigenous Music Awards is split this year, with 50% of votes coming from a panel of prominent Indigenous Australians and community leaders and 50% from a panel of Indigenous and non- Indigenous media and music industry representatives.

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The 2017 National Indigenous Music Awards blew an appreciative Darwin audience away at the iconic Amphitheatre under the stars tonight as Troy Cassar-Daley, A.B. Original and Electric Fields all took home major awards, showing the breadth across genres of Australian Indigenous talent. Opening with an amazing set from triple j Unearthed winner Baker Boy and closing with a touching tribute to Dr G. Yunupingu, the night was a night of elation and emotion as generations of Indigenous music and its place in Australian culture were celebrated and acknowledged.

Troy Cassar-Daley took home the coveted Artist of the Year trophy as well as album of the year for ‘Things I Carry Around’, adding to his Golden Guitar win earlier in the year and addition to the Country Music Awards Roll of Renown.

“Things I Carry Around” is one of the most personal things I’ve ever made and talking about my family in depth like that and my culture as well was vitally important to what the album meant,” said Troy Cassar-Daley, “I just want to say thanks to everyone who voted.”

A.B. Original took home two trophies for Song and Film Clip of the Year for their modern Australian anthem ‘January 26’ featuring Dan Sultan. A blistering performance of the track was one of the night’s highlights along with special guest Paul Kelly joining A.B. Original and Dan Sultan for their version of ‘Dumb Things’.

New Talent of the Year Electric Fields also delivered a blistering set of electronica proving they have truly arrived on the national scene. In a tightly contested category, the audience was also treated to live performances from nominees Emily Wurramara and Apakatjah as well as last year’s new talent winner Gawurra.

Traditional Music Awards were awarded to the Numbulwar community’s Numburindi Festival 2016, Numbulwar’s Mardayin Skin Ceremony 2016 and the Wangga Complete CD set, while Community Video Clip went to the Halls Creek Indigenous hip hop project’s “Save Our Water (Ngaba)”.

The night ended with a touching tribute to Dr. G Yunupingu including speeches and musical tributes recognizing the life of the National Indigenous Award’s most awarded artist over their nine-year history.

The National Indigenous Music Awards compilation “The Sound of Indigenous Australia” double CD in conjunction with Warner Music Australia is in stores now and features tracks from this year’s winners, nominees and performers including A.B. Original, Troy Cassar-Daley, Dan Sultan, Yirrmal, Emily Wurramara, Gawurra, Apakatjah, Jessica Mauboy, Busby Marou, Leah Flanagan, Tia Gostelow and Electric Fields. Disc two features anthems of Indigenous Australia including Yothu Yindi’s ‘Treaty’, Archie Roach’s ‘Took the Children Away’, Christine Anu’s ‘My Island Home’, Warumpi Band’s ‘Blackfella/Whitefella’, Kev Carmody’s ‘From Little Things Big Things Grow’ and many more.

The National Indigenous Music Awards will return in 2018 to continue the campaign to celebrate, nurture and advocate for Indigenous music across Australia and the world.

 

2017 NATIONAL INDIGENOUS MUSIC AWARD WINNERS

ARTIST OF THE YEAR : Troy Cassar-Daley
SONG OF THE YEAR : A.B. Original Ft. Dan Sultan – January 26
ALBUM OF THE YEAR : Things I Carry Around – Troy Cassar-Daley
NEW TALENT OF THE YEAR : Electric Fields
FILM CLIP OF THE YEAR : A.B. Original Ft. Dan Sultan – January 26
COMMUNITY MUSIC CLIP OF THE YEAR: Save the Water (Ngaba): Halls Creek Indigenous Hip Hop Project
TRADITIONAL AWARDS:
Wangga: Complete CD Set
Galiliwa Nunggarrgalu, John Lalbich for Mardayin Skin Ceremony 2016 Numbulwar
John Murrungun, Samson Ngalmi, Samuel Ngalmi for Mardayin Skin Ceremony 2016 Numbulwar
Jeff Nunggarrgalu, Graham Nunggarrgalu for Numburindi Festival 2016 Numbulwar
Giningayi Ngalmi, Richard Ngalmi for Numburindi Festival 2016 Numbulwar
Kerwin Murrungun, David Murrungun, Dean Austin Bara, Bradley Bara for Numburindi Festival 2016 Numbulwar

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The National Indigenous Music Awards today announce their finalists while acknowledging the passing of 14-time NIMA recipient, 2016 NIMA Artist of the Year and giant of the Australian music industry Dr. G. Yunupingu.

The NIMAs recognise his immense contribution to the furthering of Indigenous music in mainstream Australian culture and also take the time to recognise his strong support for the next generation of Indigenous talent as we celebrate today’s nominees.

Held on August 12 under the stars at the Darwin Amphitheatre, A.B. Original lead this year’s nominations for the National Indigenous Music Awards with four nods for their ground-breaking album ‘Reclaim Australia’ and its single that got the nation talking, ‘January 26’. The act will also perform on the night with two-time nominee Dan Sultan and have been nominated for Album of the Year, Artist of the Year, Film Clip of the Year and Song of the Year.

Country legend Troy Cassar-Daley has been honoured as a finalist in three categories, Artist of the Year, Album of the Year and Song of the Year for ‘Things I Carry Around’. Two-time nominees include Leah Flanagan, Yirrmal, Lonely Boys and Emily Wurramara, showing the amazing breadth of talent that the Indigenous music industry has produced over the last twelve months.

The prestigious New Talent of the Year award has previously helped launch the careers of Gawurra, Thelma Plum and The Medics, with this year’s nominees Apakatjah, Electric Fields, Emily Wurramara, Tia Gostelow and Yirrmal leading the charge of a new generation of Indigenous superstars making their mark across the industry.

The NIMAs are one of Darwin’s most prestigious night of nights, held under the stars at the iconic Amphitheatre with performances this year from A.B. Original with Dan Sultan, Australian icon Paul Kelly, Numbulwar Red Flag Dancers, Leah Flanagan, 2016 NIMA New Talent winner Gawurra, and 2017 New Talent nominees Electric Fields, Apakatjah and Emily Wurramara.

The National Indigenous Music Awards has also collaborated with Warner Music Australia to create the National Indigenous Music Awards CD which will be available for the first time, shining a light on the contribution that Indigenous Australia has made to the rich tapestry of Australian music.

The double-CD set takes listeners through the very best of Indigenous music in 2016/17 including many of this year’s nominees on disc one, before celebrating the biggest Indigenous songs of all time on disc two, including tracks from Yothu Yindi, Archie Roach, Jimmy Little, Christine Anu, No Fixed Address and many more.

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

A.B. ORIGINAL

DAN SULTAN

JESSICA MAUBOY

TROY CASSAR-DALEY

ALBUM OF THE YEAR:

A.B. ORIGINAL – Reclaim Australia

BUSBY MAROU – Postcards From the Shell House

LEAH FLANAGAN – Saudades

TROY CASSAR-DALEY – Things I Carry Around

SONG OF THE YEAR

A.B. ORIGINAL – January 26 EMILY WURRAMARA – Hey Love LEAH FLANAGAN – Chills LONELY BOYS – Hunter TROY CASSAR-DALEY – Things I Carry Around YIRRMAL – The Bridge FILM CLIP OF THE YEAR A.B. ORIGINAL – January 26 DAN SULTAN – Magnetic LONELY BOYS – Hunter LORRPU – Lorrpu COMMUNITY MUSIC CLIP Save The Water “Ngaba” – HALLS CREEK Logan City – LOGAN Choose Water – NGUKURR With Knowledge Comes New Friends – Dust Up 2016 – Warakurna – NPY LANDS

NEW TALENT OF THE YEAR APAKATJAH ELECTRIC FIELDS EMILY WURRAMARA TIA GOSTELOW YIRRMAL TRADITIONAL MUSIC AWARD WANGGA: COMPLETE CD SET NUMBULWAR RED FLAG DANCERS

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The National Indigenous Music Awards have today announced a star studded line up of Australian talent, set to perform at this year’s award ceremony. Taking to the stage under the stars in Darwin’s historic Amphitheatre on August 12 will be hip hop legends AB Original, Australian icon Paul Kelly, a special performance from Dan Sultan and 2016 NIMA winner Gawurra, as well as performances from Numbulwar Red Flag Dancers, Leah Flanagan, Electric Fields, Apakatja, and Emily Wurramara.

 

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2017 promises to be an amazing year for Indigenous music, and this is your chance to recognise bands and musicians that are creating amazing work. Nominations are now open for the 2017 National Indigenous Music Awards. The NIMAs recognise achievement in the Indigenous music industry and this is your chance to nominate. Head to the NOMINATE link and help showcase some of the amazing talent from across the country. Nominations close on the 23rd June.

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Nominations for 2017’s National Indigenous Music Awards are open soon. In a year that promises releases from some of the biggest Indigenous acts in the country, this year’s awards is shaping up to be the biggest yet. The NIMA’s celebrate excellence and achievement in the Indigenous music industry. Details will be available in coming weeks.

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Gurrumul reigned supreme again at this year’s NIMA taking out Artist of the Year for the fifth time.

Newcomer and rapidly rising star Gawurra took home a swag of NIMA Awards winning New Talent of the Year, Album, Cover Art and Film Clip of the year – the latter being presented by Jack Thompson.

Song of the Year was awarded to Briggs for The Children Came Back – featuring Dewayne Everettsmith & Gurrumul Yunupingu.

In remote Aboriginal communities film clips are powerful modes of communication. They play crucial roles in educating communities and delivering important messages of all kinds. This year’s National Community Music Clip went to Break the silence a clip produced by the remote South East Arnhem Land community of Ngukurr. The community partnered with the Ngukurr School, White Ribbon Australia and Indigenous Hip Hop Projects to create a film clip and resource touching on the powerful messages of the White Ribbon campaign – Break The Silence.

The NT Traditional Song of the Year was awarded to Ishmael Marika for his song Two Sisters Journey. The Wäwilak (Two Sisters) story tells of the creation of the world and the establishment of rules, which govern behaviour, of the encounter between human and animal ancestors, who in the process make sense of their world and its creative forces. Expect to hear more from this young artist out of Yirrkala NT.
And last but certainly not least the NIMA 2016 Hall of Fame inductee is the remarkable mentor, Statesman and Elder; Kutcha Edwards. The Mutti Mutti man from Victoria Kutcha Edwards has been producing music and tirelessly serving his people for more than 30 years.

“The power of music in protest was up on stage for all to hear at the NIMA’s. Witnessing some of the countries leading indigenous voices bringing new light to seminal songs of protest brought home the continued relevance of those songs in the current political landscape,” says Mark Smith – Executive Director of MusicNT & NIMAs.

The highly anticipated “Protest Song” segment kicked off with emerging artist Yirmmal and his father, the Elder Witiyana Marika [Yothu Yindi]. Father and son sang in a special traditional dance (Bunggul) by members of the Rirratjingu Clan from N.E Arnhem Land in honor of the ‘Father of Land Rights’ Roy Marika.

This was followed by a breathtaking rendition of They Took The Children Away by Alice Springs based Father and daughter duo Rayella. Then came the night’s biggest winner Gawurra with his inimitable version of the Goanna Band classic Solid Rock. Kahl Wallis gave the audience a sneak peak of his solo material with an original composition titled Children of the Revolution. Shellie Morris also chose an original with her new song Man of the Land, a composition inspired by the stories of two old men losing their land due to bullying from the higher powers of society. Shellie also joined newcomer and NIMA nominee [New Talent of the Year] Chris Tamwoy with a spiritually toned version of My Island Home. Then the night went upbeat with powerful renditions by NT artists David Spry belting out Beds are Burning and punk rockers Lonely Boys giving Blakfella Whitefella their edge. Just when the crowd thought it couldn’t get any better out came YouTube sensations Djuki Mala with a specially choreographed dance piece to the iconic Yothu Yindi classic Treaty. The energy amped up once last time for the grande finale when all performers came together and belted out the Yothu Yindi classic Tribal Voice; holding its power more than ever since its release 30 years ago.
This year’s triple j Unearthed NIMA competition winner Kuren opened the show and was followed by AB Original, Kahl Wallis, Gawurra, Shellie Morris, Warren H. Williams with Danielle Young and emerging artists Rayella, Chris Tamwoy, David Spry, Lonely Boys and Yirrmal with his father Witiyana Marika [Yothu Yindi]. These musicians were augmented by exclusive dance performances by The Rirratjingu Clan from North/East Arnhem Land who brought to Darwin one of the largest group of dancers in years for a special traditional performance (Bunggul) by members in honor of Roy Marika the ‘Father of Land Rights. ‘ Djuki Mala won the hearts of the audience – young and old with their specially choreographed performance of the increasingly relevant anthem – Treaty; now 25 years old and more relevant than ever.

2016 National Indigenous Music Award Winners

Artist of the Year
Gurrumul Yunupingu

Album of the Year
Gawurra

Song of the Year
The Children Came Back – Briggs
Written by Gurrumul Yunupingu, Archie Roach, Corey McGregor, Adam Briggs
Performed by Briggs, Dewayne Everettsmith & Gurrumul

New Talent of the Year
Gawurra

Cover Art
Ratja Yaliyali – Gawurra
DESIGNER: Jalyay JAJA Thompson

Film Clip
Ratja Yaliyali – Gawurra
DIRECTOR & PRODUCER: Pippa Samaya

Community Music Clip
Break The Silence
Ngukurr Community, Indigenous Hip Hop Projects, White Ribbon
Traditional Song of the Year
Two Sisters Journey
Ishmael Marika

Hall of Fame – Kutcha Edwards
Also announced at NIMA for the first time this year was the best Unearthed High entry from an Indigenous artist. Tia Gostelow from Mackay won the Inaugural award which includes the prize of ongoing mentoring from the Association of Artist Managers (AAM), as well as a song-writing workshop at their school by the APRA AMCOS Song makers program.

This year NIMA aligned with the 33rd Telstra National Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Art Award (NATSIAA) and the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF). These three key events held annually in Darwin for years combined their efforts and presented a weekend rich with culture showcasing the best of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander excellence.

NIMA Awards Ceremony & Concert: was held on Saturday 6th August at the Darwin Amphitheatre, NT. Over 1.2M listeners had the opportunity to tune into NIMA live on the night through the Community Radio Network.
This evening of Indigenous greatness hosted by Catherine Satour was filmed by NITV for a special two-hour program scheduled for screening on Saturday 20th August at 9.30pm.

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The lineup of acts for the 2016 National Indigenous Music Awards have been announced!

With this year’s theme being Protest Songs, this year’s performances will imbue the crowd with an emotional potency as songs both contemporary and iconic will be delivered by a diverse line-up. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Wave Hill walk off, the 40th anniversary of the Land Rights Act, 30 years since the release of Yothu Yindi’s Tribal Voice and 25 years since Treaty topped the charts this year’s National Indigenous Music Awards will be an historical and musical highlight.

The lineup includes:

• AB Original
• Shellie Morris
• Warren H. Williams and Danielle Young
• Kahl Wallis
• Lonely Boys
• Stanley “Gawurra” Gaykamangu
• Yirrmal with his father Witiyana Marika [Yothu Yindi]
• Rayella
• Chris Tamwoy
• David Spry
• Kuren (triple j Unearthed NIMA competition winner)

The Rirratjingu Clan from North/East Arnhem Land will bring to Darwin one of the largest group of dancers in years for a special traditional performance (Bunggul) by members in honor of Roy Marika the ‘Father of Land Rights‘ and Djuki Mala bring the NIMA’s audience an exclusive, a specially choreographed performance for the increasingly relevant anthem – Treaty.

NIMA Awards Ceremony & Concert: Saturday 6th August, Darwin Amphitheatre, NT.
To book tickets head to: www.musicnt.com.au/national-indigenous-music-awards/ticketing

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Key announcements:

• NIMA Finalists announced
• FINAL Artist Announce today
• triple j Unearthed NIMA competition winner details

The final artists to join the bill for NIMA 2016 are; Shellie Morris, Warren H. Williams with Danielle Young, punk rockers Lonely Boys and Yirrmal with his father Witiyana Marika [Yothu Yindi]. The Rirratjingu Clan from North/East Arnhem Land will bring to Darwin one of the largest group of dancers in years for a special traditional performance (Bunggul) by members in honor of Roy Marika the ‘Father of Land Rights ‘ Djuki Mala bring the NIMA’s audience an exclusive, a specially choreographed performance for the increasingly relevant anthem – Treaty. They join AB Original, Kahl Wallis, rising star Stanley “Gawurra” Gaykamangu and emerging artists Rayella, Chris Tamwoy and David Spry. Additionally, taking to the NIMA stage will be Kuren; this year’s triple j Unearthed NIMA competition winner.

With this year’s theme being Protest Songs, this year’s performances will imbue the crowd with an emotional potency as songs both contemporary and iconic will be delivered by a diverse line-up. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Wave Hill walk off, the 40th anniversary of the Land Rights Act, 30 years since the release of Yothu Yindi’s Tribal Voice and 25 years since Treaty topped the charts this year’s National Indigenous Music Awards will be an historical and musical highlight.

This year’s list of Finalists puts a spotlight on the new breed of artists making a mark on the mainstream. Fresh from major festival stages across the country, Briggs and A.B. Original, through to emerging artists; Benny Walker who currently holds the No.3 spot on the Amrap chart with Oh No You Don’t, Emily Wurramara this week nabbed the No 1 spot with her sweet song Black Smoke [added to triple j this week] and Gawurra’s album Ratja Yaliyali listed in Rolling Stone’s top 50 albums of 2016 [so far] chart out last week sit alongside the eternal presence of Gurrumul.

“2016 is the year where a number of artists that are on the cusp of success shine through the list of finalists. Emily fresh from success at the Queensland Music Awards and and rise and rise of Gawurra encapsulate the new guard of contemporary Indigenous music. We are excited to announce this year’s list and look forward to announcing the winners in August,” says Mark Smith – Executive Director of MusicNT & NIMAs.

Without further ado the FINALISTS for NIMA 2016 are:

Artist of the Year

Emma Donovan
Dan Sultan
Gurrumul Yunupingu

Album of the Year

Ratja Yaliyali – Gawurra
The Gospel Album – Gurrumul Yunupingu
Open LIVE – Live from the National Theatre, Melbourne – Dan Sultan

Song of the Year

A.B. Original – Dead In A Minute feat. Caiti Baker
A.B. ORIGINAL – 2 Black 2 Strong
Ratja Yaliyali – Gawurra
The Children Came Back – Briggs, Dewayne Everettsmith & Gurrumul
Oh No You Don’t – Benny Walker

New Talent

A.B. Original
Benny Walker
Gawurra
Emily Wurramara
Chris Tamwoy

Cover Art

Gawurra – Ratja Yaliyali
Benny Walker – Oh No You Don’t
Gurrumul Yunupingu – The Gospel Album

Film Clip

Briggs – The Children Came Back ft Gurrumul & Dewayne Everettsmith – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-wMbFntrTo&feature=youtu.be

Benny Walker – Oh No You Don’t – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjiQpNquwY4
Gawurra – Ratja Yaliyali – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAg-cE11d6c&feature=youtu.be

Community Music Clip:

Yolngu Style

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvftsRrnR7Y
Community: Galiwinku
Video Production: Brittan Andrews AKA Syd, Grayson Huddart
Music Production: Aman Bayatly AKA Tera, Michael O’connell AKA Mixer, Dion Brownfield
Director: Dallas Woods
Yolgnu Style – Is a deadly modern contemporary dance music video created by a unique group of talented artists to inspire the world to dance, move and absorb the Yolgnu style. Inspired by the mixture of old school hip hop flavour mixed together with traditional Red Flag Dancers from Elcho Island / Yolgnu style.

Break The Silence
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VDqW8vceeU
Community: Ngukurr
Ngukurr School, White Ribbon Australia and Indigenous Hip Hop Projects partnered to make this powerful and important music video / resource touching on the powerful messages of the White Ribbon campaign – Break The Silence.

Shadows
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BG9a1sjzNVw
Community: Katherine
IHHP & KTown – Shadows

IHHP partnered with YMCA Katherine, Wurli Wurlinjang Health Service and the incredibly talented young adults from Ktown to write, record and shoot this world class music video ‘Shadows’.

SECOND & FINAL ANNOUNCE ARTISTS SNAPSHOT BIOS AND LINKS

Kuren – 2016 winner of the triple j Unearthed National Indigenous Music Awards competition
Kuren, aka Curtis Kennedy, of the Wiradjuri people, grew up in the 1500-strong town of Hillston in regional NSW, before moving to Sydney to work on his music. After first spotting him via Unearthed High campaign, he was marked as one of ‘10 Artists to Watch in 2016’ by triple j Unearthed. Ever since, he’s been busy delivering on that promise. A stellar debut EP and some impressive collaborations with Allday, Sophie Lowe and Banks have us all sorts of excited about what he’s going to do next.

Warren H Williams
Warren H. Williams is an Aranda man and one of Australia’s most highly decorated Aboriginal artists. Warren has been honing his skills on the guitar since he first picked one up with his father, country music singer Gus Williams. A man of many talents, he also holds the honour of writing the first ever Central Australian Indigenous musical, Magic Coolamon, and of writing and directing episodes of the Aboriginal television series, Our Place. An old hand when it comes to talented inspirational collaborations, Warren was nominated at the ARIA’s and the Golden Guitars for his work with John Williamson in the duet Raining on the Rock. This collaboration, in addition to his solo work also saw him proudly take out the Deadly Awards more than once since 1998 along with NAIDOC Artist of the Year in 2006. Clearly a musical match made to be, Williams and Danielle Young took less than a year to write, record and produce their distinctive duet album. The duo has been described as a meeting of complementary opposites with Warren coming from the desert and Young harking from the city, and their differences in age and experience meeting to make a perfect musical match. They bring life to the songs, hashing them out from ideas influenced by the Central Australian desert and the importance of appreciating the land and the precious gift of water. Dani is clearly a talented and evocative writer in her own right, bringing a musical style advanced far beyond her years.

YIRRMAL MARIKA & WITIYANA MARIKA
Yirrmal’s father Witiyana Marikana is one of the founding members of Yothu Yindi band and singer of traditional song. On this special occasion father and son join for NIMA 2016. A new generation Indigenous Australian artist Yirrmal is from YIRRKALA in North-East Arnhem Land and is making an exciting entrance into the music scene. Inspired by heroes Yothu Yindi, Yirrmal is a refreshing singer songwriter, fusing tradition and contemporary with class and passion. He performs as a solo artist, and with his group Yirrmal & The Yolngu Boys. He is an aspiring songwriter and guitarist with a beautifully powerful voice, singing songs about his homeland and culture with feeling and depth beyond his years.

“We’re living in two worlds, learning in two worlds, carrying a message, a sharing of culture.
We’re exploring new horizons with our sound, mixing western styles with our traditional song, adding a new dimension to music. We aim to set an example for Indigenous youth, and to be being strong, positive role models for the young generation.” Yirrmal states.

Yirrmal is related to Geoffery Gurrumul Yunupingu on his mother’s side, and his father, Witiyana Marika, was a singer and dancer in Yothu Yindi. Yirrmal’s debut studio recording DEEP BLUE SEA was produced by Carlo Santone (Blue King Brown) & Craig Pilkington (Archie Roach / Gurrumul). Yirrmal is connecting a new found sound and engaging the hearts of all who are lucky enough to hear him. A special artist to look out for as he begins to make his mark. http://onepagelink.com/yirrmal/

SHELLIE MORRIS
Shellie Morris is one of Australia’s finest Indigenous singer songwriters and her voice and heart-felt music has seen her grace the stage from Melbourne to Vancouver Winter Olympics, Japan and London. She is a feature artist with the Black Arm Band and has collaborated with the likes of multiple Grammy Award winner Gilberto Gil, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Mavis Staples, Tim Rogers, Yothu Yindi, Warumpi Band, Paul Dempsey, Jimmy Barnes and Mischelle Ngecell. Firmly rooted in community and sharing her songs of life, Shellie has been a huge inspiration and role model for Indigenous musicians; from her work on the big stages with John Cale, Sinead O’Connor and Gurrumul Yunupingu to sitting around a campfire with a guitar, her music speaks of shared experience and backgrounds. Shellie is an ambassador for APRA and is 2012 national winner of the Music in Communities Award from the Music Council of Australia for her work in Indigenous communities around the nation using music as a healing and sharing experience. She is a two-time winner of Female Musician of the Year at the NT Indigenous Music Awards and her language album Ngambala Wiji Li-Wunungu (Together We Are Strong) created with the Borroloola Songwomen won a 2012 National Indigenous Music Award. Ngambala Wiji Li-Wunungu was released internationally through ABC Music in July. The first song from the album won the National Indigenous Music Award Song of the Year in August and the album was nominated for a Deadlys Award. http://www.shelliemorris.net/

LONELY BOYS
Lonely Boys are from the remote Arnhemland community of Ngukurr, 700 km south east of Darwin.
They are a six-piece guitar inspired punk rock band who have been playing in local and surrounding communities for over ten years. They won this year’s NT Song of the Year award – Rock category for Murray Island. In 2006 Lonely Boys won the Barunga Battle of the bands competition; no easy task given the quality of the performers that year. They have gone on to win many such contests. The band’s commitment to performing and their high level of performance skill has been an inspiration to other bands in the community. They have performed extensively across Arnhem Land to thousands of adoring fans at Indigenous community festivals including a recent headline performance at the 2016 Barunga Festival. The dedication to music of key Lonely Boys members Ambrose Daniels and Bert Rami is bearing fruit amongst the disaffected younger members of the community. Both Ambrose and Bert have been responsible for steering a dysfunctional group of young boys into music and away from anti social behaviour and those boys have formed their own band called ‘Bad Tee Boys’. Lonely Boys have been working extremely hard since Barunga 2015. With the help of ARIA nominated Producer James Mangohig (Sietta), they worked up 6 songs for a studio recording. In March 2016 James took lonely boys to Loose Stones Studio on the Gold Coast to work with another leading Producer Forrester Savall to record a debut EP. https://www.facebook.com/LonelyBoysNgukurr/

RIRRATJINGU CLAN
DJUKI MALA
Direct from North East Arnhem Land, Indigenous dance and YouTube sensations Djuki Mala are know for their unique, infectious and exuberant performances. Djuki Mala fuse traditional Yolngu and contemporary pop culture, dance and storytelling to create work that is a marvel of timing, comedy and clowning. Their appearances have electrified audiences at major festivals and events worldwide with multiple award nominations including a 2014 Helpmann Awards and the 2015 award for Best Dance at Adelaide Fringe Festival. Djuki Mala’s performances offer a rare and insightful view into Indigenous Australia and their performance for Treaty specifically choreographed for NIMA 2016 is sure to be a show stopper. www.djukimala.com

FIRST ANNOUNCE >>> ARTIST SNAPSHOT BIOS AND LINKS:

AB Original
A.B. Original is the collaboration between Briggs (Album of the Year recipient at the National Indigenous Music Awards 2015) and Trials, ARIA Award winning producer for Drapht, Illy, Hilltop Hoods, Seth Sentry and The Funkoars among others. A.B. Original was born when the two artists were invited to perform at triple j’s 40 year celebration, Beat The Drum, in January 2015. They produced a short but powerful set which also included the special performance of ‘The Hunt’, a collaboration with Gurrummul performed earlier on triple j’s live at the wireless. They write songs in the spirit of N.W.A and West Side Connection, while lyrically bringing attention to issues closer to home. Respectively coming from the Yorta Yorta and Ngarrindjeri tribes, Briggs and Trials are socially conscious outspoken Indigenous artists. They bring a new voice to Australian hip hop as A.B. Original. Their debut album will be released later this year via Hilltop Hoods’ label Golden Era Records and Bad Apples Music, Australia’s first Indigenous hip hop label. www.badapplesmusic.com.au/ www.facebook.com/2blak2strong/

Kahl Wallis
Lead singer and songwriter for indie/alternative band The Medics, environmental and social activist, storyteller, and now solo performer, Kahl Wallis is a young Aboriginal man on a mission. After releasing their debut album Foundations in 2012, Kahl’s band The Medics took out top honours at the 2012 National Indigenous Music Awards with wins for Best New Talent, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year for ‘Griffin’, and were crowned Best New Talent at the 2013 Rolling Stone Awards. In late 2014 Kahl decided to strip back into raw acoustic mode to explore his songwriting and cultural roots further. He was soon invited to tour with Blue King Brown, opening for them as a solo artist at their shows across the country. With his solo project only just beginning to gather speed, Kahl was extremely honoured to receive the Dreaming Award at the 2015 National Indigenous Arts Awards, presented by the Australia Council for the Arts. The award came with a $20,000 cash prize for him to record his debut solo album, currently scheduled for release in late 2016. Between recording as a solo artist, touring, participating in community projects, and working on his second record with The Medics, Kahl also works as a music mentor and healthy-lifestyle facilitator with The Jimmy Little Foundation, delivering workshops to Indigenous children in remote communities. Kahl identifies with his grandfathers country, the Wuthathi Nation from the white sands of Shelburne Bay in Cape York Peninsula, and his Grandmothers mob, the Lardil people from Mornington Island in the Gulf of Carpentaria. He takes his last name ‘Wallis’ from his great-great-grandfather of the Polynesian islands of Wallis and Futuna. Keep an ear to the ground for debut recordings from Kahl, as well as the much-anticipated second record from the Medics – exciting times lay ahead! http://onepagelink.com/kahlwallis/

Stanley Gawurra Gaykamangu
Rising star Gawurra recently released his debut album Ratja Yaliyali. It has resounded deeply and captured the attention of both the music industry and the general public winning a 4 star and 4.5 star review from Rolling Stone Magaine, SMH & The Age this month. Record label CAAMA Music is reporting strong sales for both digital and physical formats and last week the album reached the No.1 spot on the iTunes world music chart.

Gawurra was born on the Gove Peninsula and spent time as a child on his Grandmother’s land of Yathalamara, before moving to Milingimbi Island. He has recently moved to live in Melbourne with his family, in order to further his musical career. His culture, songlines, stories and history are deeply embedded in his resonant voice and soulful blend of traditional and contemporary songs. Gawurra is a gentle and genuine young leader. He is to be an Elder in his community; the Old people gave him this knowledge and power. It is important for him to teach his kids, brothers and sisters the ‘right way’. Gawurra is passionate about keeping his Gupapungu language strong. Gawurra won the 2015 NT Song of the Year Award in the Pop category for the song Ratja YaliYali. www.gawurra.com.au

Rayella
Rayella is a family band from Marlinja Community, located approximately 730 kilometres south of Darwin. Raymond Dixon and his daughter Eleanor are the driving force behind the beautiful melodies and stories that emerge from the engaging music this group bring to any performance, be it a campfire sing along or a festival in front of thousands. Lead singer Eleanor’s magical voice paired with her father’s skilful guitar playing and harmonising captivate audiences with their honest, emotive tunes about family, country and culture.

Rayella’s list of achievements in the short time they have been performing together is testament to their ability to enthral, engage and delight audiences. In 2016 they have performed at Garmalang Festival (NT), Canberra National Folk Festival (ACT), Nannup Festival (WA) and were part of an incredible collaboration with US music legends The Violent Femmes, which saw the American superstar band act as Rayella’s backing musicians in a unique showcase at the US Consulate in Perth. Rayella also delivered a standout showcase at the Australasian World Music Expo (AWME) in Melbourne in 2015 and were selected to tour remote Australia with The Country Arts WA SandTracks Tour as well as being invited to perform at the famous MONA Museum in Tasmania, Folk Rhythm and Life Festival in Victoria. This alongside being invited to perform two years running at the annual Bush Bands Bash in Alice Springs. In doing so Eleanor become the first woman to be a part of Bush Bands Business, the three day professional development program which precedes the concert and she is the first woman to perform in one of the bands on the bill. “Rayella is a multi-generational, multi-lingual, musically diverse, powerful, direct and fun group of musicians. Their music is a deep blend of modern life and ancient energy.” Brian Ritchie – Violent Femmes, Curator Mona Foma Festival. https://www.facebook.com/Rayella-571072006327073/?fref=ts

David Spry
Original singer/songwriter, David Spry draws influence from his world travels and relates this to his Indigenous Australian heritage through heartfelt, powerful and uplifting songs. From a long line of storytellers, David uses his inherited gift and shares his experiences in a contemporary style of music with a uniquely upbeat vibe. Teaming up with his full backing band ‘The Moral High Ground’, sees the creation of a diverse global sound that effortlessly combines Reggae, Roots and Blues. Incorporating an acoustic fervour likened to Ben Harper, and the snaking Rootsy grooves of a funk band from another era, his repertoire can have audiences both dancing with reckless abandon and being entranced and inspired by the warmth of his beautiful ballads.

David has made his mark on the Australian music scene in the most recent years sharing stages alongside talents such as Archie Roach, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Busby Marou, Ash Grunwald, Tex Perkins & the Dark Horses, Andrew Strong, and Jeff Lang. With numerous song-writing accolades including Top-Ten finalist in the Australian Independent Music Awards 2013, sell-out shows and festival performances, David has an ability to captivate an audience of thousands as well as any intimate gig and is solidifying the fresh new sound of Indigenous contemporary music. www.davidspry.com

Chris Tamwoy
Chris Tamwoy is a self-taught guitarist with a unique playing style and sound. Spending his childhood years with family in the Torres Strait Islands, he now resides in Brisbane. Chris has attracted a lot of attention in recent years, in print media, radio, touring nationally, appearing on various documentaries and television shows including ‘Australia’s Got Talent’, and at many large events includingTEDx. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CylhAdgCu9w His unique guitar-tap style and vibrant personality see him in high-demand, with highlight gigs including Byron Bay Blues Festival 25th Anniversary, Woodford Folk Festival (QLD), Port Fairy Folk Festival (VIC), Darwin Festival, and many other shows in Australia and the Torres Strait Islands. 2016 saw Chris reach national audiences as he made his way thru to the grand finals of ‘Australia’s Got Talent’ – finishing in the top 5. He won the National NAIDOC AWARD for Youth of the Year (2015), was nominated for Young Citizens Australia Day Award, was the feature of a documentary unearthing talented young Australian artists on SBS/ NITV and appears in numerous other short videos and documentaries. 2015 also saw the release of his debut EP – Ngaw Laag (My Home), available via Impossible Odds Records. Dubbed as a ‘guitar virtuoso’, this young man is on the cusp of a promising career.

Key Dates

Sun July 31st – Entries close for triple j Unearthed High + Indig Schools Comp 2016
Sat 6th August – Announce at NIMA the Unearthed High + Indig Schools winner
Sat 6th August – NIMA Awards Ceremony & Concert: Darwin Amphitheatre, NT.

NIMA 2016 will align with two iconic annual Indigenous events on the same weekend to cast a
spotlight on the Indigenous Visual Art and Music world in Darwin. These premiere national showcases will provide audiences with an unprecedented experience of cultural excellence. The National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMA), the 33rd Telstra National Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Art Award (NATSIAA) and the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF)will be held on the same weekend with NATSIAA on Friday 5th, NIMA on Saturday 6th and DAAF between 5-7th of August. These three key events held annually in Darwin for years have combined their efforts in order to provide an Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander showcase like no other.

National Indigenous Music Awards Ceremony & Concert are held at Darwin Amphitheatre on Sat. 6th August.

Further information visit> nima.musicnt.com.au Tickets on sale www.darwinfestival.org.au or 08 89 434 222

Gates open 6 pm
Duration 4hrs
Venue The Amphitheatre, Darwin Botanical Gardens.

Tickets: Adult $35, Conc $28 Kids under 12 FREE. Groups of 8 or more at concession price.

The National Indigenous Music Awards are an initiative of MusicNT and are presented in partnership with the Northern Territory Government and are part of the Darwin Festival.

Media Enquiries:
Chryss Carr – AUM PR // aum@aum.net.au // 0417 800 869//
Cooper-Lily Nikora –AUM PR // cooper@aum.net.au // 0432 601 211// www.aum.net.au

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AB Original, Kahl Wallis, Emma Donovan, rising star Stanley “Gawurra” Gaykamangu and emerging artists Rayella, Chris Tamwoy and David Spry are the first names announced to perform at this year’s National Indigenous Music Awards.

2016 is a year of significant milestones for Indigenous people including the 50th anniversary of the Wave Hill walk off, the 40th anniversary of the Land Rights Act, 30 years since the release of Yothu Yindi’s Tribal Voice and 25 years since Treaty raced to the top of the charts. You can be certain this year’s line up of artists will deliver potent performances featuring both iconic and contemporary protest songs.
“This year’s NIMA’s coinciding with these important anniversaries, will again shine a light on Indigenous music across the country. Music has stoked the fire and been a voice of protest for many years and what better way to recognize a year of milestones, than celebrating the strong history of Indigenous protest songs”, says Mark Smith – Executive Director of MusicNT & NIMAs.

Additional news is that NIMA will align with two iconic annual Indigenous events on the same weekend to cast a spotlight on the Indigenous Visual Art and Music world in Darwin. These premiere national showcases will provide audiences with an unprecedented experience of cultural excellence. The National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMA), the 33rd Telstra National Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Art Award (NATSIAA) and the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF)will be held on the same weekend with NATSIAA on Friday 5th, NIMA on Saturday 6th and DAAF between 5-7th of August. These three key events held annually in Darwin for years have combined their efforts in order to provide an Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander showcase like no other.

Key Dates

• Nominations Close: Friday 17th June 2016
• NIMA Awards Ceremony & Concert: Saturday 6th August, Darwin Amphitheatre, NT.

The National Indigenous Music Awards are presented by MusicNT in partnership with the NT Government.

FIRST ANNOUNCE >>> ARTIST SNAPSHOT BIOS AND LINKS:

AB Original
A.B. Original is the collaboration between Briggs (Album of the Year recipient at the National Indigenous Music Awards 2015) and Trials, ARIA Award winning producer for Drapht, Illy, Hilltop Hoods, Seth Sentry and The Funkoars among others. A.B. Original was born when the two artists were invited to perform at triple j’s 40 year celebration, Beat The Drum, in January 2015. They produced a short but powerful set which also included the special performance of ‘The Hunt’, a collaboration with Gurrummul performed earlier on triple j’s live at the wireless. They write songs in the spirit of N.W.A and West Side Connection, while lyrically bringing attention to issues closer to home. Respectively coming from the Yorta Yorta and Ngarrindjeri tribes, Briggs and Trials are socially conscious outspoken Indigenous artists. They bring a new voice to Australian hip hop as A.B. Original. Their debut album will be released later this year via Hilltop Hoods’ label Golden Era Records and Bad Apples Music, Australia’s first Indigenous hip hop label.

www.facebook.com/2blak2strong

Kahl Wallis
Lead singer and songwriter for indie/alternative band The Medics, environmental and social activist, storyteller, and now solo performer, Kahl Wallis is a young Aboriginal man on a mission. After releasing their debut album Foundations in 2012, Kahl’s band The Medics took out top honours at the 2012 National Indigenous Music Awards with wins for Best New Talent, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year for ‘Griffin’, and were crowned Best New Talent at the 2013 Rolling Stone Awards. In late 2014 Kahl decided to strip back into raw acoustic mode to explore his songwriting and cultural roots further. He was soon invited to tour with Blue King Brown, opening for them as a solo artist at their shows across the country. With his solo project only just beginning to gather speed, Kahl was extremely honoured to receive the Dreaming Award at the 2015 National Indigenous Arts Awards, presented by the Australia Council for the Arts. The award came with a $20,000 cash prize for him to record his debut solo album, currently scheduled for release in late 2016. Between recording as a solo artist, touring, participating in community projects, and working on his second record with The Medics, Kahl also works as a music mentor and healthy-lifestyle facilitator with The Jimmy Little Foundation, delivering workshops to Indigenous children in remote communities. Kahl identifies with his grandfathers country, the Wuthathi Nation from the white sands of Shelburne Bay in Cape York Peninsula, and his Grandmothers mob, the Lardil people from Mornington Island in the Gulf of Carpentaria. He takes his last name ‘Wallis’ from his great-great-grandfather of the Polynesian islands of Wallis and Futuna. Keep an ear to the ground for debut recordings from Kahl, as well as the much-anticipated second record from the Medics – exciting times lay ahead!

http://onepagelink.com/kahlwallis

Emma Donovan
Emma Donovan grew up singing church songs with her maternal grandparents on the North coast of New South Wales. Her first secular gigs were singing in The Donovans, a band comprised of her mother and five uncles. With her mother, Emma sang country for years, and in her youth was a fixture at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, but she always yearned for the bluesier tones of her Father’s record collection, full of American artists like Laverne Baker and Etta James and Indigenous Australian artists like No Fixed Address and Archie Roach. Years later, after touring and recording with many of the mainstays of Indigenous music and developing as a solo artist in her own right, Emma met members of The PutBacks, and finally she found a band with the gritty blues soaked tones she had been looking for. She also found, in PutBacks bassist Mick Meagher, a co-writer and collaborator on the the soul songs she had been waiting a lifetime to write and sing.

www.emmadonovan.com

Gawurra
Rising star Gawurra recently released his debut album Ratja Yaliyali. It has resounded deeply and captured the attention of both the music industry and the general public winning a 4 star and 4.5 star review from Rolling Stone Magaine, SMH & The Age this month. Record label CAAMA Music is reporting strong sales for both digital and physical formats and last week the album reached the No.1 spot on the iTunes world music chart. Gawurra was born on the Gove Peninsula and spent time as a child on his Grandmother’s land of Yathalamara, before moving to Milingimbi Island. He has recently moved to live in Melbourne with his family, in order to further his musical career. His culture, songlines, stories and history are deeply embedded in his resonant voice and soulful blend of traditional and contemporary songs. Gawurra is a gentle and genuine young leader. He is to be an Elder in his community; the Old people gave him this knowledge and power. It is important for him to teach his kids, brothers and sisters the ‘right way’. Gawurra is passionate about keeping his Gupapungu language strong. Gawurra won the 2015 NT Song of the Year Award in the Pop category for the song Ratja YaliYali. This year he has been nominated in the same catagory with mulunda.

www.gawurra.com.au

Rayella
Rayella is a family band from Marlinja Community, located approximately 730 kilometres south of Darwin. Raymond Dixon and his daughter Eleanor are the driving force behind the beautiful melodies and stories that emerge from the engaging music this group bring to any performance, be it a campfire sing along or a festival in front of thousands. Lead singer Eleanor’s magical voice paired with her father’s skilful guitar playing and harmonising captivate audiences with their honest, emotive tunes about family, country and culture. Rayella’s list of achievements in the short time they have been performing together is testament to their ability to enthral, engage and delight audiences. In 2016 they have performed at Garmalang Festival (NT), Canberra National Folk Festival (ACT), Nannup Festival (WA) and were part of an incredible collaboration with US music legends The Violent Femmes, which saw the American superstar band act as Rayella’s backing musicians in a unique showcase at the US Consulate in Perth. Rayella also delivered a standout showcase at the Australasian World Music Expo (AWME) in Melbourne in 2015 and were selected to tour remote Australia with The Country Arts WA SandTracks Tour as well as being invited to perform at the famous MONA Museum in Tasmania, Folk Rhythm and Life Festival in Victoria. This alongside being invited to perform two years running at the annual Bush Bands Bash in Alice Springs. In doing so Eleanor become the first woman to be a part of Bush Bands Business, the three day professional development program which precedes the concert and she is the first woman to perform in one of the bands on the bill. “Rayella is a multi-generational, multi-lingual, musically diverse, powerful, direct and fun group of musicians. Their music is a deep blend of modern life and ancient energy.” Brian Ritchie – Violent Femmes, Curator Mona Foma Festival.

www.facebook.com/Rayella-571072006327073/?fref=ts

David Spry
Original singer/songwriter, David Spry draws influence from his world travels and relates this to his Indigenous Australian heritage through heartfelt, powerful and uplifting songs. From a long line of storytellers, David uses his inherited gift and shares his experiences in a contemporary style of music with a uniquely upbeat vibe. Teaming up with his full backing band ‘The Moral High Ground’, sees the creation of a diverse global sound that effortlessly combines Reggae, Roots and Blues. Incorporating an acoustic fervour likened to Ben Harper, and the snaking Rootsy grooves of a funk band from another era, his repertoire can have audiences both dancing with reckless abandon and being entranced and inspired by the warmth of his beautiful ballads. David has made his mark on the Australian music scene in the most recent years sharing stages alongside talents such as Archie Roach, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Busby Marou, Ash Grunwald, Tex Perkins & the Dark Horses, Andrew Strong, and Jeff Lang. With numerous song-writing accolades including Top-Ten finalist in the Australian Independent Music Awards 2013, sell-out shows and festival performances, David has an ability to captivate an audience of thousands as well as any intimate gig and is solidifying the fresh new sound of Indigenous contemporary music.

www.davidspry.com

Chris Tamwoy
Chris Tamwoy is a self-taught guitarist with a unique playing style and sound. Spending his childhood years with family in the Torres Strait Islands, he now resides in Brisbane. Chris has attracted a lot of attention in recent years, in print media, radio, touring nationally, appearing on various documentaries and television shows including ‘Australia’s Got Talent’, and at many large events including TEDx. His unique guitar-tap style and vibrant personality see him in high-demand, with highlight gigs including Byron Bay Blues Festival 25th Anniversary, Woodford Folk Festival (QLD), Port Fairy Folk Festival (VIC), Darwin Festival, and many other shows throughout Australia and the Torres Strait Islands. 2016 saw Chris reach national audiences as he made his way thru to the grand finals of ‘Australia’s Got Talent’ TV Program – finishing in the top 5 contestants. He won the National NAIDOC AWARD for Youth of the Year (2015), has been nominated for Young Citizens Australia Day Award, was the feature of a documentary unearthing talented young Australian artists on SBS/ NITV and appears in numerous other short videos and documentaries. 2015 also saw the release of his debut EP – Ngaw Laag (My Home), available now via Impossible Odds Records. Dubbed as a ‘guitar virtuoso’, this humble young man is on the cusp of a promising music career.

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2016 plays host to a swag of milestones for Indigenous people nation-wide; the 50th anniversary of the Wave Hill walk off, the 40th anniversary of the Land Rights Act, 30 years since the release of Yothu Yindi’s double platinum selling album Tribal Voice and 25 years since the iconic sound of Treaty pulsated across the country and raced to the top of the charts. So it is fitting this year’s NIMAs has a theme, one that revolves around the importance and power of protest songs. Expect a diverse line-up of Indigenous musicians from across the country bringing their voice to these seminal songs. Seeing several leading Non-Indigenous musicians have made a mark on the Indigenous political landscape with iconic songs it wont be surprising to see a few joining this year’s line-up yet to be announced.

In the meantime both industry and the general public can get involved as Nominations for the National Indigenous Music Awards [NIMAs] open today. “MusicNT is excited to open nominations for NIMA 2016. The Indigenous Music scene continues to grow. This is your chance to recognise the acts that you love and we look forward to discovering the amazing talent from across the country”, says Mark Smith – Executive Director of MusicNT & NIMAs.

You can place your nominations for the National Indigenous Music Awards via this link.

National Award Categories 2016

• Artist of the Year
• Album of the Year
• Song of the Year
• New Talent of the Year
• Film Clip of the Year
• Cover Art of the Year
• Community Music Project Award– Community Music Clip of the Year
• Hall of Fame

NT Award Categories 2016

• Traditional Music Award

Key Dates & Event Info

Nominations Open: Thursday 28th April 2016

Nominations Close: Friday 17th June 2016

NIMA Awards Ceremony & Concert: Saturday 6th August, Darwin Amphitheatre, Darwin Botanical Gardens. Gates open 6pm and close at 10pm.

Tickets: Adult $35, Conc $28 Kids under 12 FREE. Groups of 8 or more at concession price.

The National Indigenous Music Awards are an initiative of MusicNT and are presented in partnership with the Northern Territory Government and are part of the Darwin Festival.

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For the first time in NIMA history two artists were awarded the Artist of the Year prize; Jessica Mauboy and Dan Sultan. An equal amount of votes came in from the voting panel for each artist and the decision was made to honor both parties with this prestigious national award.

“What a great honour to receive this award, and when I saw the list of Finalists this year it dawned on me just how many more names are yet to be awarded this very same one I happily share with Jess. There’s so much great talent coming through and it’s a privilege to be in the same company. I want to also thank the NIMA’s and everyone who voted,” says Dan Sultan.

QLD singer/songwriter Thelma Plum was awarded for Song of the Year for How Much Does Your Love Cost? Being the first triple j Unearthed NIMA competition winner back in 2012 the songstress was thrilled to be honoured with an award.

Maverick hip-hop artist Briggs flew in and walked away with two gongs for Album of the year for Sheplife and Film Clip of the Year for Bad Apples produced by Heath Kerr & Josh Davis, the video now has 250k views on YouTube and climbing. A must-see.

Last year’s triple j Unearthed NIMA winner Philly was recognised with the New Talent of the Year award and the award for Cover Art of the Year went to Cause N Affect – a profound debut album released by Radical Son.

The National Community Clip of the Year acknowledges the role that music and new media plays in spreading positive messages throughout Indigenous communities. This year the NIMA went to Cairns Murri Crew – Built to Last produced by Desert Pea Media and showcasing the extraordinary talents of these young adults from Cairns.

NT Traditional Music Award of the Year went to two acts both from North East Arnhem Land: Djalu Gurruwiwi a healer and the world’s primary custodian of the Yidaki, [the didgeridoo] – known in the music business for shaping the Yidaki used by Yothu Yindi throughout their career. And East Journey received the award for their songlines Mokuy & Bonba recorded with permission to be publically available via The Genesis Project EP released earlier this year.

NT School Band of the Year goes to Karungkarni formed in 2014 at Kalkaringi School. Kalkaringi is an Indigenous community 470km south-west of Katherine, NT and sometimes referred to as Wave Hill. The band won the 2014 Garma Youth Song Writing Competition at Garma Festival in 2014. The band’s song ‘Gurindji Man,’ about Gurindji leader Vincent Lingiari who headed the 1966 strike at Wave Hill, was featured on Radio National and ABC news around the time of Gough Whitlam’s funeral in late 2014.

And this year’s artists inducted into the NIMA Hall of Fame for their remarkable contribution to the Indigenous music scene were legendary Central Australian band Blekbala Mujik, who are broadly considered one of the most influential of Australia’s Aboriginal rock bands, and a legend of equal standing Vic Simms.

The National Indigenous Music Awards were held in Darwin on Saturday 25th July. Hosted by NITV and SBS journalist and presenter Malarndirri McCarthy and cabaret comedian Kamahi Djordon King with performances from Gurrumul, East Journey ft Yothu Yindi, Frank Yamma, B2M, The Painted Ladies, Blekbala Mujik, Yirrmal and Zane Francis it was another outstanding culturally rich event held under the beautiful Darwin dry season sky.

2015 National Indigenous Music Award Winners

Artist of the Year

Jessica Mauboy and Dan Sultan

Album of the Year

Sheplife – Briggs

Song of the Year

How much does your love cost? – Thelma Plum

New Talent of the Year

Philly

Cover Art of the Year

Cause N Affect – Radical Son. Design: Spencer Harvey & Lloyd Harvey

Film Clip of the Year

Bad Apples – Briggs. Produced by Heath Kerr & Josh Davis

Community Music Clip

Cairns Murri Crew – Built to Last. Desert Pea Media

Traditional Award

Djalu Gurruwiwi and East Journey for Mokuy & Bonba

Hall of Fame

Vic Simms and Blekbala Mujik

School Band of the Year

The Karungkarni Band

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Jessica Mauboy, Dan Sultan, maverick hip-hop artist Briggs and former triple j Unearthed NIMA winner Thelma Plum have been selected as Finalists in the category of Artist of the Year to be announced at this year’s National Indigenous Music Awards [NIMAs] on Saturday July 25th.

Song of the Year finalists are Dan Sultan, Thelma Plum with two songs, Briggs and Emma Donovan. Album of the Year could go to Frank Yamma, East Journey ft Yothu Yindi, Briggs or Emma Donovan. This is certainly one of NIMAs more curious years.

Film Clip of the Year is always a tough decision and this year is no exception with a plethora of entries whittled down to these finalists; Dan Sultan for Dirty Ground, East Journey ft Yothu Yindi Song of Arnhem Land (Salas/Moore Mix), Radical Son Human Behaviour, Briggs Bad Apples and Parlingarri by B2M (Bathurst to Melville).

The same applies to Cover Art of the Year; all feature memorable covers. Frank Yamma’s Uncle, Song of Arnhem Land the single cover by East Journey ft. Yothu Yindi, Cause N Affect by Radical Son and Sheplife by Briggs all feature remarkable artwork.

The short list for New Talent of the Year is always a highly anticipated one. This year three acts have a long road ahead of them but with a NIMA win could see them projected further up the path. In the running for a second year is Central Desert’s Tjintu Desert Band, last year’s triple j Unearthed NIMA winner hip hop artist Philly [Phillip Murray] and the wild card Lucky Luke.

Anticipated with as much interest is the annual triple j Unearthed NIMA Competition winner which was announced on the stations DRIVE program yesterday. 22 y.o. Zane Francis a young artist from the S.E. QLD border region of Tweed Heads/Coolangatta follows in the footsteps of Thelma Plum, Robbie Miller and Philly – “I never would’ve thought in a million years that my little track would deliver me such amazing global feedback and now this incredible opportunity to perform at the NIMA’s. My performance at NIMA will be the first time ‘Acclimate’ has been performed live and I seriously couldn’t think of a better place for it to occur. says Zane.

‘triple j Unearthed is overjoyed to crown Zane Francis. He earned it on the back of his striking tune ‘Acclimate’. While the song only lasts for a shade over two minutes, they’re nonetheless breathtaking with Zane’s rich voice packing a devastatingly powerful emotional punch that grips your ears from the first listen and doesn’t let go.’ Dave Ruby Howe, triple j Music Director.

Acknowledging the significant and critical role that music plays in spreading positive messages throughout Indigenous communities, the NIMAs Community Clip of the Year Award is one we encourage everyone to check and acknowledge the work happening across remote communities.

This year’s line-up mirrors the confluence of genres represented by 2015s Finalists. Gurrumul premieres ‘live’ songs from his new The Gospel album, the largely unknown yet set to be a highlight performance by The Painted Ladies featuring The Medics; the highly anticipated live one-hour performance of The Genesis Project by East Journey feat. Yothu Yindi along with the inimitable Frank Yamma and NT local favorites from the Tiwi Islands B2M demonstrate the interesting juncture Indigenous music has come to. The last act to join this bill is the legendary Central Australian band Blekbela Mujik. Broadly considered to be one of the most influential of Australia’s Aboriginal rock bands they have had decades of ‘live’ experience and will most certainly blow the audience away as they celebrate 30 years rocking out across the country.

“This years finalists offer a diverse breath of fresh air within the mainstream music industry. They integrate a rich cultural heritage that illustrates an intimate connection to place and a respect for environment that resonates with the wider community. NIMAs is fast becoming known as the best event in the country for cross-cultural engagement; this is something we can all be very proud of”. Mark Smith the Executive Director of MusicNT & NIMAs.”

National Artist of the Year

• Jessica Mauboy
• Thelma Plum
• Dan Sultan
• Briggs

National Song of the Year

• How Much Does Your Love Cost? – Thelma Plum
• Young In Love – Thelma Plum
• Bad Apples – Briggs
• Dirty Ground – Dan Sultan
• Black Woman – Emma Donovan

National Album of the Year

• Sheplife – Briggs
• Dawn – Emma Donovan and Putbacks
• Uncle – Frank Yamma
• The Genesis Project – East Journey featuring Yothu Yindi

National New Talent of the Year

• Philly
• Lucky Luke
• Tjintu Desert Band

National Cover Art of the Year

• Song of Arnhem Land – East Journey ft Yothu Yindi
• Cause N Affect – Radical Son
• Uncle – Frank Yamma
• Sheplife – Briggs

National Film Clip of the Year

• Bad Apples – Briggs
• Song of Arnhem Land (Salas/Moore Mix) – East Journey
• Human Behaviour – Radical Son
• Dirty Ground – Dan Sultan
• Parlingarri – B2M (Bathurst to Melville)

Community Clip of the Year [now National]

• Breath In, Breath Out: Produced By: Indigenous Hip Hop Projects was proud to partner with Katherine West Health Board and Bulla Camp
• Got a lot Going On – Yarn Safe: Produced By: Indigenous Hip Hop Projects and Indigenous creative agency Gilimbaa
• Uncle Alfred’s Mens Group – Spear of Destiny: Produced By: Desert Pea Media
• Cairns Murri Crew – Built To Last: Produced By: Desert Pea Media
• Tagai Buway – Two Worlds: Produced By: Desert Pea Media
• Call On Me: Produced by: Indigenous Hip Hop Projects was proud to partner with Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service and St. Mary’s College

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Congratulations to this year’s triple j Unearthed winner Zane Francis.

Zane Francis a young electronic/indie artist from Tweed Heads/Coolangatta. He follows in the footsteps of Thelma Plum, Robbie Miller and Philly to perfrom in Darwin at the NIMAs.

“I never would’ve thought in a million years that my little track would deliver me such amazing global feedback and now this incredible opportunity to perform at the NIMA’s. My performance at NIMA will be the first time ‘Acclimate’ has been performed live and I seriously couldn’t think of a better place for it to occur” said Zane.

“triple j Unearthed is overjoyed to crown Zane Francis. He earned it on the back of his striking tune ‘Acclimate’. While the song only lasts for a shade over two minutes, they’re nonetheless breathtaking with Zane’s rich voice packing a devastatingly powerful emotional punch that grips your ears from the first listen and doesn’t let go.” Dave Ruby Howe, triple j Music Director.

Listen to Zane’s track Acclimate on triple j Unearthed: www.triplejunearthed.com/artist/zane-francis

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The organisers of the National Indigenous Music Awards [NIMAs] are thrilled to announce multi-award winning artist Gurrumul will join this year’s line-up and will premiere three songs from his highly anticipated forthcoming The Gospel Album. The inspiration for this 12-song long player was a dedication to Gurrumul’s mother and aunts, who brought Gurrumul up with songs and lullabies from the church at Elcho Island. As a small boy Gurrumul was not only influenced by the traditional music of his clan but by the gospel music he heard every Sunday at the local Methodist church. The Gospel Album is a re-imagining of the spiritual songs that came to North East Arnhem Land via Christian missionaries.

“Gurrumul’s already humbugging me about booking his flight. He always feels at home when performing in Darwin; there’s family there, so premiering songs from the new Gospel album at the NIMAs will be the best start to the national tour. He’s really looking forward to it,” says collaborator Michael Hohnen.

Gurrumul’s live performance will no doubt imbue the night with a profound sense of emotion that will once again, leave his audience uplifted. To ignite the dancing spirit the highly anticipated live one-hour performance of The Genesis Project by East Journey feat. Yothu Yindi will carry the crowd well into the night. Also on the bill is one of this country’s favourite Uncles the inimitable Frank Yamma, NT local favorites from the Tiwi Islands B2M and The Painted Ladies featuring The Medics.

The NIMAs are recognized nationally as the pre-eminent awards for Indigenous music. This prestigious awards ceremony and concert has grown into a popular night out for all the family. To ensure remote communities don’t miss out NIMA organisers have aligned with Outback Stores and the Arnhem Land Progress Association [ALPA] who have positioned ticket outlets in over 35 remote NT community stores so families from all over the Territory can ensure a spot on the grass. Accompanied by a special promotion for one lucky family from a remote community to win a VIP NIMA experience is up for grabs; for more info/enter go to NIMA Facebook page

GURRUMUL – THE GOSPEL SONGS TOUR 2015
For Gurrumul’s tour and ticketing information please visit www.chuggentertainment.com

Gurrumul The Gospel Album released 31st July on Skinnyfish Music/MGM.

Tickets for the NIMAs, on July 25, are on sale now – www.musicnt.com.au/national-indigenous-music-awards/ticketing

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