Music

Album of the Year

Charlie Trindall - The Journey

Charlie Trindall is a Gamilaroi man from North Western NSW who has been playing music since his early teens. His first EP, Blacktracks, released in the late 1990s, received significant radio airplay on a number of national stations, including ABC and SBS. His next album was to prove even more successful: Ancient Echoes a collection of 12 original songs not only attracted national airplay, but also the attention of legendary singer Roger Knox, who re-released the tracks Blacktracks and Life and Culture on his own album Still Strong. In 2008, Charlie released his third independent release, an EP titled Going Home. This year has been a prolific year for the songwriter who released an EP and an album. His fourth EP titled, When Angels Fall, was released early in the year and includes collaborations with the likes of the Stiff Gins and hip hop outfit Dreamtime Brothaz (which features his son Josh Trindall AKA Trin-Doe). In August, he released his long-awaited album The Journey, a collection of acoustic and electric songs, featuring Charlie’s trademark lyrics and an inspiring cover of the Shane Howard song, ‘Heart of My Country’.

Jessica Mauboy - Been Waiting

Australia’s finest RnB singer has worked hard to get to where she is today. Born in Darwin, NT, Jessica launched her music career at the tender age of 14 when she became the youngest ever winner of the Telstra Road to Tamworth competition at the 2004 Telstra Country Music Festival. However it wasn’t until the hotly contested 2006 Australian Idol competition that mainstream Australia really got to hear her talent.

These days Jessica has left the competitions and the competition behind her. Her latest album, which features a duet with rap superstar Flo Rida, has racked up platinum sales on the back of four hit singles. The album Been Waiting is the culmination of years of hard work by the 19-year-old artist, who also co-wrote material for the album, garnering her and co-writers Audius and Sean Mullins a nomination for 'Urban Work of the Year' in this year's APRA Awards. In March 2009, Jessica was also voted 'Best Aussie' at the MTV Australia Awards in March. Jessica's album was recently released in Japan and will be released in the UK later this year. She recently made her acting debut in the Australian film Bran Nue Dae alongside Geoffrey Rush, Ernie Dingo and Missy Higgins.

The Last Kinection - Nutches

Local Knowledge was the first Indigenous group to perform at Triple J’s Live At The Wireless. During their time together they won the Music Oz award for Best Indigenous Artist, a Deadly Award for Best Group and their single, Black Fellas, became a hip-hop anthem.

The siblings joined forces to form The Last Kinection. Their band name was chosen to honour their elders from the Kabbi Kabbi people of South East Queensland, and their first show was to an audience of 13,000 people at The Stylin’ Up festival in Brisbane in 2006. Since then they have performed at Brisbane’s River Festival, The Woodford Dreaming Festival and The Sydney State Theatre for the ‘Cannot Buy My Soul’ concert series, alongside Missy Higgins, Paul Kelly, Tex Perkins, Kev Carmody and The Drones.

Their debut album, Nutches, was named after their last remaining elder, their beloved grandmother, and it has since been dedicated in loving memory to this inspirational woman. All the tracks off the album were written by Naomi and Joel with production by Weno and Jay Tee. The first single and film clip, Ballooraman, means love and is a soul-touching hip-hop track in language.

Zennith - Simplify

Since performing at the inaugural Australasian World Music Expo in Melbourne this year, Zennith has been overwhelmed by invitations to perform internationally, in places like New Zealand, the US and Europe. Their first international performance will be in Vanuatu in November at Fest Napaun.

Zennith is a core group of five Kuranda musicians, Aden Brim (Songwriter/Lead Singer), Astro Brim (Percussion and Vocals), Isaac Crowley (Bass), Lindsay Snider (Drums/Didg/Rap Vox) and backing by Willie Brim (Keys and Vocals).

In 2008, the energetic roots and Indigenous music outfit were introduced to audiences at the Woodford Folk Festival, Island Vibe Festival, Kuranda Roots, The Dreaming and The Spirit Festival. They were finalists in the 2008 Q Song Awards, showcase artists at the BigSound Music Industry Summit and the support act for Jessica Mauboy at Katherine’s Barunga Festival. In 2009, they released their long-awaited album, Simplify.

Single Release of the Year

Ngarraanga - Emma Donovan

Emma Donovan has established herself as one of Australia’s finest Indigenous singer/songwriters. An original member of the vocal trio, Stiff Gins, Emma co-wrote the 12-track album Origins and the award-winning single ‘Morning Star’.

Hailing from Nambucca in Northern NSW, Emma has performed across the globe treating audiences to her rich soulful voice as a solo artist and as part of the award winning Black Arm Band. She has performed alongside respected Australian Indigenous artists including: Frank Yamma, Archie Roach, Ruby Hunter, Kerriane Cox, Christine Anu, Tiddas, Yothu Yindi and Jimmy Little, while her vast concert experience includes performances in The Royal Concert Hall in London, Musee de Quai Branli in Paris, Benaki Museum in Athens, Tjibaou Cultural Centre in New Caledonia, 10th Festival of Pacific Arts in Palau, Treaty Grounds of Waitangi in New Zealand and the concert hall in the Sydney Opera House with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

Emma’s new five-track EP and video entitled Ngarraanga (Remember) or Ngarraanga Ngiinundi Yuludarra (Remember Your Dreaming) is a tribute to the Stolen Generations and includes traditional language as part of Emma’s commitment to educating the global community to understand more about Aboriginal culture.

The video for Ngarraanga, shot at Carriageworks in Sydney’s Redfern, features Torres Strait Islander dancer Albert David, interwoven with archival footage.

Burn - Jessica Mauboy

Jessica's album was recently released in Japan and will be released in the UK later this year. She recently made her acting debut in the Australian film Bran Nue Dae alongside Geoffrey Rush, Ernie Dingo and Missy Higgins.

Solid Rock - Street Warriors Version Featuring Shannon Noll

Indigenous hip hop crew Street Warriors recently teamed up with former Australian Idol favourite Shannon Noll to release a cover version of Goanna’s 1982 Aussie rock classic ‘Solid Rock’.

Brothers Abie and Warwick Wright, aka Predator and Wok, originally made a name for themselves as Local Knowledge before branching off to form Street Warriors, on the back of their high-energy, in-your-face Aboriginal anthems.

Following on from the release of their seven-track EP titled Real Knows Real, Solid Rock will be their first release aimed at a mainstream audience. The track, which will be released on August 31, is the first single off their debut album due out in late 2009.

Solid Rock, with its lyrics about Aboriginal displacement from the land and its didg intro is considered a ground-breaking release in Australian rock music history. Written by Goanna’s lead singer Shane Howard, it is also credited as the first Aussie Top Ten rock ballad to display solidarity, understanding and the acceptance of a truth previously unheralded. After its release, it picked up ARIA Single of the Year and the band’s debut album, Spirit of Place, also won Best Album.

Shane Howard gave the Street Warriors his blessing for the re-mix, and sat in on the recording sessions with Abie, Wok and Shannon in Melbourne. The Street Warriors also opened this year’s The Dreaming festival with the song, featuring Shane and his daughter on chorus vocals.

Ballooraman - The Last Kinection

Band of the Year

Dubmarine

Dubmarine combines the music styles of reggae, dub, DNB and dancehall. Their debut offering Dub From the Deep, with Brisbane Dub technician Drew-ID, was released in September 2007, and continues to receive regular airplay on Triple J, PBS, 3RRR, FBI, 4ZZZ and SYN FM.

Headed up by D-Kaz Man, a lyrical poet, with Wayne Katz (Drums) and Paul Donehue (Percussion), Dubmarine also features Jeremie Nagabbo on guitar, Nick Torpy and Mikael Strand on trombone, bassist Paul Watson and Joel Alexander on synth.

Dubmarine have played throughout Australia and New Zealand with support slots for The Black Seeds (NZ), The Red Eyes, The Cornerstone Roots (NZ), and Sydney skankers Kingtide. They have also performed at The Dreaming Festival, Woodford Folk Festival, Island Vibe Festival, The Speigeltent, Valley Fiesta and Reggaetown Festivals. In 2009 Dubmarine will perform at Parklife, The Australasian Work Music Expo, U Tribe Festival and the Brisbane Festival. They are currently adding the final touches to their new LP.

Saltwater Band

Saltwater Band consists of eight Yolngu Elcho Island men from Galiwink’ku. The band combines traditional songs in language with reggae/ska-influenced pop. Their songs are written by successful solo artist Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu and band member Manuel Dhurrkay. The unique combination of Manuel’s catchy pop-song arrangements with Gurrumul’s traditional style has built a strong following in Northern Australia and in recent years has begun attracting the attention of the mainstream market.

Their debut album, Gapu Damurrun, was released independently and sold over 10,000 copies. It was followed up by Djarridjarri/Blue Flag, which received widespread acclaim for its fusion of modern music with the spirit of the Gumatj people, language and culture. It was nominated for the 2004 Best World Music Album Aria Award and won the 2004 Deadly for Album Release of the Year.

Through their music the band hopes to pass on their traditional stories and values to younger members of their communities to ensure the survival of their rich culture.

The Yabu Band

Originally from Kalgoorlie, multi-talented brothers Delson and Boyd started their music career at the age of five. Delson, aka Delly, made the top 10 in the open age group on the TV Series X-factor and has performed regularly with Colored Stone. His brother Boyd, won the Too Solid Award for Indigenous Guitarist of the Year in 2009 and has performed alongside Tommy Emanuel, Coloured Stone, the Warumpi Band and Slim Dusty.

Their most recent musical offering, The Yabu Band (Yabu means Rock/Gold in the Wongatha language), has been described as desert rock/reggae and also features Jade Masters on drums. Jade recently won Indigenous Drummer of the Year at the 2009 Too Solid Awards and was the former drummer of the Dave Mann Collective. He has performed on the same stage as Thirsty Merc, Cat Empire, Pete Murray, Renee Geyer, Yothu Yindi, Diesel, The Whitlams, Ross Wilson, The Rogue Traders, Killing Heidi and Richard Clapton to name a few.

After impressive performances at the WA Australian of the Year Awards, The Oz Concert, the homecoming of the Beijing Olympic athletes, Aus-Aid, The Survival Day Concert and airplay on NITV, the Yabu Band have earned their reputation as one of the most impressive Indigenous acts in Australia.

Their new album, Gundulla – We Dance, merges traditional Dreamtime stories with memorable contemporary melodies and includes a translation of the song “I am Australian” into their Western Desert language. Their live performances incorporate one of Australia's leading bass players, Roy Martinez, along with Lilly Gogos on vocals, Tony Shaw on Didgeridoo and keyboard sensation Tim Ayre from You, Me and Ryan.

Zennith

Female Artist of the Year

Casey Donovan

Casey Donovan was only 16 when she won our hearts in 2004, taking out the top prize in Australian Idol and becoming the youngest ever and the first female winner of Idol. That same year she picked up Most Promising New Talent in Music award at the 2004 Deadlys.

Following her Idol win, Casey set about the gruelling process of recording an album in a matter of six days. In November 2004, the first single released from the album, “Listen with your Heart”, debuted at No.1 on the ARIA singles chart and had the highest selling download of all-time from Telstra’s Bigpond downloads, while her album For You debuted at number two on the album charts.

Since Idol, Casey has performed regularly in venues throughout Australia and at major events, including the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games, the Dreaming Festival, Foxtel’s 10th Birthday Party and the Putalina Music Festival. She has made regular television appearances on such shows as Channel V’s What You Want, MTV’s TRL, Good Morning Australia, Mornings with Kerri-Anne, John Foreman’s Big Night In and ABC TV’s Spicks and Specks.

In late 2007, Casey released her long awaited EP Eye 2 Eye and she is currently working on a new album.

Christine Anu

Pop star, actress, dancer and cabaret queen, Christine Anu is one of Indigenous Australia’s most talented and versatile performers. With a string of hit records and successful stage and film appearances under her belt, Christine is a star who just continues to rise. Her bubbly personality, fierce cultural pride and can-do attitude also make her a role model for all young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

From humble beginnings in the Torres Strait, Christine’s career has spanned all facets of the entertainment industry. From her beginnings in contemporary Indigenous dance with the Bangarra Dance Company and her critically acclaimed portrayal of Mimi in Rent to a string of hit records and a role as Arabia in Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge, Christine’s star continues to shine.

In 2005, Christine starred in the unforgettable cabaret show Initiate and Deadly in which she portrayed her own life story. Christine also released her fourth album that year, titled Accoustically.

In late 2007, Christine released the hugely popular children’s album Chrissy’s Island Family and earlier this year she embarked on a successful national tour with fellow Australian songstress Deni Hines.

In 2009, Christine took to the stage in her first ever non-singing role in the theatre, in the Riverside Theatre production of Rainbow’s End. A mother of two, she continues to tour nationally as a solo artist, as well as in collaborative performances, such as the ‘Ladies of Jazz’ tour with Monica Trapaga, Paulini and Grace Knight.

Emma Donovan

The video for Ngarraanga, shot at Carriageworks in Sydney’s Redfern, features Torres Strait Islander dancer Albert David, interwoven with archival footage.

Jessica Mauboy

Male Artist of the Year

Adam James

Adam James grew up in the Moreton Bay area listening to popular country artists, such as Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton and Jimmy Buffet on his family’s record player. He was also inspired by fellow Indigenous singer/songwriters, including Kev Carmody, Archie Roach and Troy Cassar-Daley.

After dabbling in acting and securing several TV roles as a teenager, Adam realised music was his true passion and completed his Creative Industries degree at the Queensland University of Technology in 2003.

A guitarist for more than 10 years he then went on to develop his singing under renowned vocal coach Venetta Fields, best known for her work with John Farnham.

Adam released his debut album, Messages & Memories, in January 2008.

Over the past 18 months Adam has performed at major music events, including the Woodford Folk Festival, the Tamworth Country Music Festival, The Dreaming, QLD Champion of Champions and NAIDOC Week Celebrations. He was also a Grand Finalist at the 2008 Toyota Star Maker Quest.

Buddy Knox

The son of legendary musician Roger Knox, Buddy immersed himself in music after picking up his first guitar at just 10 years old. After his Father was badly burned in a plane crash while touring, he was unable to play the guitar and Buddy had to learn quick.

At just 15 years of age, the blues master began his national and international music career. Today he has over three decades of music under his belt, having toured with the likes of the Warumpi Band, Troy Cassar-Daley, Paul Kelly and Roger Knox, and he’s supported artists such as Slim Newton, Kev Carmody, Auriel Andrew, Jimmy Little, Bobby McLeod, Col Hardy, Gordon Parsons, Stan Coster, Vic Simms, Johnny Huckle, Tony Wallsley, Savannah Doolan, Wanita, Jason Scott and Darren Clarke.

In 2006 he formed the Buddy Knox Blues Band, which has been receiving a growing number of accolades. He was a finalist in the Best Male Vocal Category at the Australian Blues ‘Chain’ Awards. His debut album Got Da Blues won the Newcastle Blues Awards Album of the Year. After launching his album The Factory in 2008, he has been a regular at festivals, including Yabun, the Tamworth Country Music Festival, The Dreaming, Woodford Music Festival and the Byron Bay Bluesfest.

Dan Sultan

In 2006, Dan Sultan was nominated for a Deadly Award for Most Promising New Talent. Since then he has gone on to release his debut album Homemade Biscuits, which was produced with the help of the John Butler Seed fund. His single ‘Your Love Is Like A Song’ was featured on Triple J, resulting in performances at Sydney’s State Theatre, with the likes of Paul Kelly, Kev Carmody and Missy Higgins during the ‘Cannot Buy My Soul’ concert.

In February 2009, Dan joined the acclaimed Black Arm Band, sharing the stage at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall with Australian music greats such as Archie Roach, Jimmy Little and Shane Howard. As part of The Union of Soul tour, Dan supported the John Butler Trio and The Waifs. He has also performed with his band at Womad, the Port Fairy Folk Festival, Byron Bay Bluesfest, the Blue Mountains Music Festival and The Dreaming.

In June of this year, Dan appeared on the ABC TV’s hugely popular show Spicks and Specks. Dan will be releasing his second album later this year, and is scheduled to perform with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. He will also be appearing in the upcoming feature film Bran Nue Dae, alongside Geoffrey Rush and Missy Higgins. Dan also recently started working with the Jimmy Little Foundation which, in partnership with the Fred Hollows Foundation, is developing the Thumbs Up program, a nutrition education project for young Indigenous Australians through music and workshops, initially in Arnhem Land.

Gurrumul

Gurrumul is a member of the Gumatj clan of North East Arnhem Land. He was born blind, and grew up on Elcho Island surrounded by a supportive family and a community who encouraged, rather than sheltered, this obviously talented young man. It is the music of his island home that remains a strong influence on Gurrumul today.

Gurrumul is related to Mandawuy and Galarrwuy Yunupingu, and played with Mandawuy in the internationally successful Yothu Yindi before forming Saltwater Band. He has contributed greatly to the Indigenous music industry and his solo album, Gurrumul, released in 2008, garnered national and international recognition before going platinum in Australia.

Since then, his self-titled album has picked up major industry awards including Best Male Artist at the EG Music Awards, Best Independent Album, Best New Independent Artist and Best Australian Independent Blues/Roots Album at the AIR Awards, Best Independent Release, Best World Music Album at the ARIA awards and Single of the Year, Album of the Year, and Artist of the Year at the 2008 Deadly Awards.

He was the opening act for Sir Elton John’s Darwin concert and continues to tour nationally, as well as internationally. In 2008 he was named Northern Territory’s Australian of the Year.

Most Promising New Talent

Anthony Green

Anthony Green was just eight years old when he first picked up a guitar. Since then he has performed with the likes of diva Emma Donovan and ‘Star Maker’ winner Todd Williams. Having grown up in Armidale, Northern NSW, Anthony has a passion for country music, which he suspects might have been playing in the hospital when he was born!

After playing music at high school with friends, Anthony went on to become the lead guitarist for grunge rock band Master Jargo (formerly Dark Seed) before returning to his country roots. During his time with Dark Seed, he supported Yothu Yindi, the Choirboys, Front End Loader and Screamfeeder. After the band broke up, Anthony applied for and won the inaugural Troy Cassar-Daley Scholarship, which enabled him to study at the Australian College of Country Music.

He graduated from the course in 2008 and hopes to follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather who both played in country bands. Last year he completed his debut EP, which he co-wrote with veteran music-industry producer Garth Porter.

MC Dizzy Doolan

Dizzy Doolan grew up in Townsville and Cairns, surrounded by a respected musical family, the Doolans, who performed throughout the ’80s and ’90s in the bands Dr Bones and Black Rose. Her aunty Syvanna Doolan was a pioneer of Aboriginal contemporary music and one of the first black women to receive recognition for her singing talent.

Having been influenced and inspired by music throughout her childhood, it came as no surprise when Dizzy followed in the family tradition, writing her first song at age eight. When she turned 18, Dizzy headed to Brisbane to pursue her career as a performing artist where she has been making inroads on the local circuit and starting to receive the recognition she deserves. "It’s hard being away from my family for so long, but it’s a sacrifice I had to make if I wanted to achieve my goals,” says Dizzy. “My family is so proud of me and how much I have accomplished, I feel very blessed to have the opportunities that I do in this era."

Microwave Jenny

As one of only a handful of acts selected to perform at the prestigious Play the Music Showcase at APRA’s Song Summit in Sydney, Microwave Jenny are proving they have what it takes to make it as Indigenous singer/songwriters. The upcoming duet consists of Brendon Boney and Tessa Nuku, who met in their latter years of high school. Drawing influence from artists such as James Taylor, Bill Withers, Van Morrison, Janis Ian and Joni Mitchell, Microwave Jenny are known for their good vibes and positive spirited music with honest, sincere lyrics and contagious melodies.

After seeing Microwave Jenny perform on the back of a ute, Vibe’s Managing Director Gavin Jones booked them to appear at the 2008 Deadly Awards. Their performance, which was broadcast live on national television and streamed online all over the world, proved to be the catalyst for the duo’s quick rise to fame. Since then, they’ve performed with big-name artists such as Diesel, Michael Bublé, James Blunt, Margaret Urlich and Paul Kelly, and at major events including Sydney’s New Year’s Day celebrations, Perth’s Nannup Music Festival and The Dreaming.

Microwave Jenny recently released a five-track EP, Mr Man in the Moon.

The Yabu Band

Outstanding Achievement in RNB or Hip Hop

Maupower

Treading the line between commercial and underground hip-hop styles, Maupower’s Torres Strait heritage is reflected in his trademark island soul sound. His upcoming solo release Self Entitled is his first solo offering. He will also be releasing a recording from his group One Blood Hidden Image, of which he remains a member.

Born Patrick James Berend Mau on Thursday Island, Maupower moved to Toowoomba to study mechanical engineering in 2000. But it wasn’t long until he changed his focus to music. After being introduced to Chris Rada, the founder of the Poverty Ass Production Crew, in 2000, he went on to record and released Untouchables in 2001. Determined to take his music to the next level, in 2003 he studied business in music at South Bank Institute of TAFE in 2003, before releasing his EP Jump Start in the same year. After returning to the Torres Straits he formed One Blood Hidden Image in 2004. The Anthem EP was released in 2005, followed by the Shut the Gate 2008 Ultimate Collector’s Edition.

Upcoming solo releases include Maupower – 2 Shades of Gray and Maupower – Ebony Tears.

MC Dizzy Doolan

Joel, Naomi and Jacob are no strangers to success within the music industry. Naomi (MC Nay) was one-half of RnB Pop sensation Shakaya. Signed to a major label at the age of 16, she quickly climbed the ARIA charts with platinum-selling singles and albums. After winning a swag of awards, including numerous Deadlys, the girls from Shakaya decided it was time to move on. A week after calling it a day for Shakaya, Naomi’s brother Joel (Weno) called her with the news that he and Jacob (DJ Jay Tee) had also folded their band, Local Knowledge.
Local Knowledge was the first Indigenous group to perform at Triple J’s Live At The Wireless. During their time together they won the Music Oz award for Best Indigenous Artist, a Deadly Award for Best Group and their single, Black Fellas, became a hip-hop anthem.

Tjimba and the Yung Warriors

In 2009, Tjimba and the Yung Warriors emerged as a hip hop act to look out for. Following on from the release of their debut album, they toured nationally, including support for international superstar 50 Cent.

Warriors Tjimba Possum Burns, brother Narjic Day Burns and cousin Danny Ramzan are musicians who write, rap and play their own unique style of hip hop. Front man Tjimba is an accomplished musician who plays keyboards, didgeridoo, writes lyrics and sequences beats. His father is Aboriginal guitarist and songwriter Selwyn Burns (Coloured Stone, Mixed Relations, No Fixed Address, Blackfire) and his late grandfather Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri – one of the first representational dot painters – remains one of the most innovative and accomplished Australian artists of the 20th century.

They were recently the opening act for the Anthony Mundine world title fight and continue to showcase their original style of hip hop in mainstream clubs and national festivals. Committed to their roots, they also tour regionally, running workshops and concerts for their home communities.

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