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Finalists Announced for NIMA 2013
by Chryss Carr
F
rom the respected elder statesmen to the young and emerging voices of the music scene, the National Indigenous
Music Awards finalists reveal that today’s music scene is stronger than ever. Widely recognized for taking Indigenous music to the world stage, ARIA Hall of Fame
Inductees Yothu Yindi have been nominated for Artist of the Year alongside prodigal former band member Gurrumul Yunupingu and pop singer/actress Jessica Mauboy (pictured). The NIMAs this year Page 1
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will recognise the contribution that Yothu Yindi and Dr Yunupingu have made to the Australian music landscape and will pay tribute with a special concert at the Awards in Darwin on August 10. Uncovered by the NIMA triple j Unearthed competition in 2012, Brisbane songstress Thelma Plum can now add NIMA nominee to her growing list of accolades. Nominated for Song of the Year for ‘Around Here’ and New Talent of the Year, she finds herself in an extremely talented pool of artists including Archie Roach’s uplifting ‘Song to Sing,’ Gurrumul enjoys two Song of the Year nominations for new versions of his tracks including his ARIA #1 hit with Delta Goodrem ‘Bayini’ (live), the second ARIA chart topper by a Yolngu musician. The first was ‘Treaty’ by Yothu Yindi in 1991. Also featuring is his track with Yolanda Be Cool ‘A Baru in New York’ (Flume Remix), currently charging up the German charts. While he may not yet be a Page 2
household name, emerging talent Benny Walker has been recognised with three nominations including Album of the Year for Saints and Sinners. Joining Benny in in this prestigious category is Blak & Blu by Melbourne Bluesman Kutcha Edwards, Shellie Morris and Archie Roach. Alongside Thelma Plum and Benny Walker, New Talent of the Year nominees show a diverse mix of artists from all corners of the country including Perth MC Bryte, Darwin hip hop trio DT3 and dub roots collective Dubmarine. Film Clip of the Year has been broadened to a national award which means that the high quality clips from Dubmarine ‘Beat in Control,’ Archie Roach ‘Song to Sing’ and ‘Tomorrow’s Heroes’ by the Gowrie Boys are all finalists this year. Cover Art of the Year has also moved to national recognition which sees a fourth nomination for Archie Roach’s ‘Into the Bloodstream’ and a second for Darwin’s DT3, Yothu Yindi and
Gurrumul Yunupingu. Image Adrain Cook
Catherine Satour’s self-titled album respectively. Acknowledging the role that music plays in spreading positive messages throughout Indigenous communities, the NIMAs have a new Community Clip of the Year Award and we encourage everyone to check out these future stars including ‘Rockhole’ produced by IHHP for Wurli-Wurlinjang Health Service, ‘Hey Sugar’ Kintore Community, ‘LNT Since the Dreaming’ - Desert Pea Media and Barkly Shire Council. “This years nominations exceeded all our expectations and have highlighted some of the amazing talent from across the country. The finalists that the judges have selected are some of the countries most exciting artists and it’s great to see them recognised. The NIMA ceremony on Saturday August 10 is shaping up as a landmark event celebrating excellence in Indigenous music as well as the outstanding
achievements of Yothu Yindi and Mr Yunupingu.” Mark Smith, MusicNT General Manager On Saturday August 10, Darwin will host the National Indigenous Music Awards Concert and Ceremony. Gurrumul, Kutcha Edwards, members of The Medics, members of East Journey, Jimblah, triple j Unearthed winner Robbie Miller and many others will pay tribute to Yothu Yindi by interpreting the bands most wellknown songs. Original members of Yothu Yindi are set to join these artists in what will be a memorable and emotional evening. National Indigenous Music Awards Saturday 10 August, 2013 The Amphitheatre, George’s Green, Darwin NT Adults $30 / Conc & Group $25 / Children 12 & under FREE Tickets on sale now: http://www. darwinfestival.org.au Free buses depart the venue for Darwin, Casuarina and Palmerston interchanges after the show. Watch Rrawun Maymuru, Kutcha Edwards & William Barton perform Yothu Yindi’s ‘Mainstream’ on the Marngrook Footy Show: http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=wOai0KTBRpM 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. Full List of Finalists Below National Artist of the Year Yothu Yindi (NT) Gurrumul Yunupingu (NT) Jessica Mauboy (NT) National Song of the Year ‘Around Here’ - Thelma Plum (QLD) ‘Enough is Enough’ - Benny Walker (VIC) ‘A Baru in New York’ Gurrumul Yunupingu & Yolanda Be Cool [Flume Remix] (NT) ‘Song to Sing’ - Archie Roach
(VIC) ‘Bayini (Live)’ - Gurrumul Yunupingu & Delta Goodrem (NT) ‘Waliwaliyangu liAnthawirriyarra a-Kurija (Saltwater People Song)’ - Shellie Morris (pictured) and the Borroloola Songwomen (NT) National Album of the Year Ngambala Wiji Li-Wunungu - Together We Are Strong Shellie Morris and the Borroloola Songwomen (NT) Sinners and Saints - Benny Walker (VIC) Blak & Blu - Kutcha Edwards (VIC) Into the Bloodstream - Archie Roach (VIC) National New Talent of the Year Thelma Plum (QLD) Dubmarine (QLD) DT3 (NT) Benny Walker (VIC) Bryte (WA) National Cover Art of the Year DT3 ep – DT3 (NT) Into the Bloodstream - Archie Roach (VIC) Healing Stone - The Best of Yothu Yindi – Yothu Yindi (NT)
Catherine Satour - Catherine Satour (NT) National Film Clip of the Year Song to Sing - Archie Roach (VIC) Beat in Control - Dubmarine, Directed and Produced by Richard Bell (QLD) Tomorrow’s Heroes - Gowrie Boys + Jamie Lee Wilson. Directed by Ben Edwards, Produced by Christian Gordon (QLD) G.R. Burarrawanga Memorial Award (NT Artists only) Catherine Satour Shellie Morris NT Community Clip of the Year Rockhole produced by IHHP for Wurli - Wurlinjang Health Service Hey Sugar - Kintore Community and Red Dust Role modes / Realtone Music LNT Since the Dreaming, Desert Pea Media and Barkly Shire Council Media Enquiries: Chryss Carr // aum@aum.net.au // 0417 800 869 Miranda Riley // miranda@aum. net.au // 02 6680 9871