Music Victoria is thrilled to reveal that the 16th annual Music Victoria Awards will return in 2020 during Melbourne Music Week to celebrate the vast achievements of Victoria’s music community over the last year. Despite live music coming to a standstill since COVID-19 restrictions came in place, there have been huge achievements by the Victorian music community.

This year, Music Victoria is pleased to introduce three new and updated Award categories including the Outstanding Woman in Music Award which recognises the achievements of not only musicians but also women behind the scenes, such as industry professionals, management and crew, as voted by the Music Victoria Board. For the first time, the Awards will also present the new industry-voted category for Best Producer as well as the merging of Best Male and Best Female Musician to become the public-voted award for Best Musician. The Archie Roach Foundation Award for Best Emerging First Peoples Act will continue to provide one deserving artist with a cash grant and access to mentorship as part of the award.

Following a change in the Awards’ eligibility timeline, all nominations for best album, song and individual genre awards in 2020 must be taken from music released between 1 September 2019 and 30 June 2020, to bring the Awards in line with the past financial year. However, no one will be disadvantaged by the new timelines, as any music released from 1 July to 30 August 2020 that would have previously been considered this year will be recognised in the 2021 Awards.

“It’s been an incredibly tough year for the industry, but also a year where community spirit, ingenuity, and resilience have really come to the fore. The Victorian music community has so much to be proud of, and I encourage everyone to get involved with the Awards through submissions, voting and the event itself.”
- Laura Imbruglia, Music Victoria Awards Event Producer

Submissions are now open until 5pm Monday 20 July for the venue, festival, and producer categories as well as all genre categories for artists and releases.

Good news - Submissions are FREE but only open to Music Victoria members. So if you’re Music Victoria Member, you may nominate yourself (or those you love) in the artists, venues and festivals categories until 5pm Monday 20 July.

The categories now open for submissions are:
Best Regional and Outer Suburban Venue (under 50 gigs per year)
Best Regional and Outer Suburban Venue (over 50 gigs per year)
Best Venue (under 500 capacity)
Best Venue (over 500 capacity)
Best Festival
Best Producer

Plus:
Best Blues Album
Best Country Album
Best Electronic Act
Best Experimental or Avant-Garde Act
Best Folk Album
Best Jazz Album
Best Heavy Album
Best Hip Hop Act
Best Reggae and Dancehall Act
Best Rock/Punk Album
Best Soul, Funk, R'n'B or Gospel Album
Best Emerging First Peoples Act (Archie Roach Foundation Award for Emerging Talent)
Best Intercultural Music Act
Best Regional and Outer Suburban Act
The remaining categories (Best Band, Best Album, Best Song, Best Solo Artist, Best Musician, Best Breakthrough Act, Best Live Act, and Outstanding Woman in Music) will be nominated by an expert industry panel and revealed along with the nominees for the above categories in October.

Eligibility Criteria
- At least 50% of the act has been living in Victoria for the last two years, or uses Melbourne as a home base. If you are performing under a solo artist name, you must reside in Victoria to be eligible (residency of backing band is not considered).
- Created or produced multiple singles, an EP or album (category dependent) released between 1 September 2019 - 30 June 2020
- Ran a music festival or active music venue in Victoria between 1 September 2019 - 30 June 2020

Submissions are now open until 5pm Monday 20 July.
All nominees will be announced in October.

Members submit your entry or nomination via
www.musicvictoria.com.au/members/submissions

Not a member? Sign up here

Music Victoria thanks Major Partners Bendigo Bank, City of Melbourne and Melbourne Recital Centre, and Event Partner Moshtix for their ongoing support of the Music Victoria Awards

Pictured: The Teskey Brothers (Liam is second from the right)

Warrandyte's The Teskey Brothers swept the Music Victoria Awards prize pool in 2019, including winning Best Regional Act which came with a $3000 grant from Bendigo Bank.

In the middle of a hugh international tour, The Teskeys' drummer Liam Gough took time out to look back on some of their favourite achievements over the past year and to tell us what they did with the prize cheque...

What’s your name, role and which band do you represent?

My names is Liam Gough and I play the drums in The Teskey Brothers

In which location are you based?

We are Based in Warrandyte, Victoria

Looking back over the last year, which achievement/s or moment/s are you proudest of?

I’m most proud of playing 4 sold out nights at the Forum Theatre. It’s always been the best large live music venue in Australia in my opinion.

As a regional artist/venue, what do you find to be the biggest challenge for the local music scene?

Keeping pokies and TV screens out of pubs and venues. We didn’t used to have to compete with electronics for punters attention.

What are some ways the music community members in your area support each other and the local ecosystem?

We love to book gigs along side our friends bands and people work together to save money where we can by sharing backline and driving.

What’s the best thing about regional live gigs?

I love going watch and play regional gigs because it takes me to a different part of Victoria. There are so many great towns in regional Victoria with great nature spots, restaurants, op shops and pubs to explore.

Are there any local music initiatives or artists you’d like to tell us about?

Green Music Australia have a great campaigns which we are a part of trying to stop single use water bottles at gigs. Check out https://www.greenmusic.org.au/

What’s the best-kept secret of your local area? Give us the inside tip.

Go for a wood fired pie at the historic Warrandyte bakery.

Your prize was accompanied by a generous $3000 grant from the Bendigo Bank. Lucky duck! What did/will you spend the money on? How will it further your career/business?

We will use the grant to record new music as soon as we have the chance! Thank you!

Pictured: Tony Joe White performs at Meeniyan Town Hall

 

Meeniyan Town Hall's Ian Bevington (Music Victoria Awards' 2019 Best Regional Venue winner) took time out recently to look back on some of his favourite achievements over the past year and to give us the local secrets of his area - South Gippsland.

What’s your name, role and which venue do you represent?

Ian Bevington, Event manager, Meeniyan Town Hall & Mossvale Park.

In which location are you based?

Meeniyan, South Gippsland.

Looking back over the last year, which achievement/s or moment/s are you proudest of?

1/-The Lyrebird Gift, Giving Thando Sikwila (Melbourne) $20,000 and Caiti Baker (Darwin) $10,000 to do whatever might further their musical careers.

2/-Jeff Tweedy returned to Meeniyan as a booker I am very proud to get him to Meeniyan once but twice was a total eclipse…!

As a regional artist/venue, what do you find to be the biggest challenge for the local music scene?

A public lack of interest in our own local musicians. Exposure through media is now totally non-existent we need a statewide free music magazine in all public places in all towns across Vic.

 

What’s the best thing about regional live gigs?

I can only comment for my shows. Presenting the best musicians possible with a state of the art p.a. and lighting rig.

Are there any local music initiatives or artists you’d like to tell us about?

There are a number of great things happening in South Gippsland. There is the Sandy Point Music Club; Archies Creek Pub doing live music; Live at the Bundy. Meeniyan has a new French Bakery - doing great guns; there is the South Gippsland rail trail which entices visitors from all over to come to walk along the great distances of the rail trail; the town of Toora is opening up with new interesting shops and cafes and the list goes on. I feel that the other side of Melbourne has become overcrowded and now people are turning their heads to our great towns and beaches and tourism is enlivening our area. And then of course, you can see great live music at Meeniyan!!

What’s the best-kept secret of your local area? Give us the inside tip.

Loch is a superb little town just off the main highway. The best restaurants, markets, cafes and enchanting boutique shops which includes its own gin and beer distillery, as well as a number of small wineries. Watch this space!

Your prize was accompanied by a generous $3000 grant from the Bendigo Bank. Lucky duck! What did/will you spend the money on? How will it further your career/business?

We are a not for profit group. Meeniyan Town Hall with the generous $3000 grant from the Bendigo Bank will purchase more lighting equipment for our stage.

Pictured: Theatre Royal's Tim Heath, with partner and co-owner, Felicity Cripps

Theatre Royal's Tim Heath (Music Victoria Awards' 2019 Best Regional Venue Over 50 gigs/yr winner) took time out recently to look back on some of his favourite achievements over the past year and to share the local secrets of his area - Castlemaine.

What’s your name, role and which venue do you represent?

Tim Heath, owner and music programer at Theatre Royal Castlemaine.

In which location are you based?

Castlemaine

Looking back over the last year, which achievement/s or moment/s are you proudest of?

Launching our membership program not only helped to keep the venue surviving, but it tightened our loyal supporters and strengthened their love for the venue. Proudest moments were seeing our community enjoy live shows and get behind community event like Freeza Battle of the Bands and fundraisers and benefit concerts.

As a regional venue owner, what do you find to be the biggest challenge for the local music scene?

Smaller audiences are great, but it can be challenging to program more obscure music and pull a decent crowd.

What are some ways the music community members in your area support each other and the local ecosystem?

There are several open mic nights, pubs who program local bands often, a local radio station that supports local bands, mini festivals with local bands.

 

What’s the best thing about regional live gigs?

The audiences are always so appreciative that great artists are playing in their little towns.

Are there any local music initiatives or artists you’d like to tell us about?

There's so many great young artists and bands from the area who have had success. I think there's so many opportunities for young people to perform locally and feel supported by older musicians and artists.

What’s the best-kept secret of your local area? Give us the inside tip.

Swimming at the Golden Point reservoir is beautiful in the warmer months. The Anti-clinal Fold is an interesting geological rock formation that is also worth checking out. There's heaps of great cafes and pubs and the Castlemaine Art Gallery is also worth a look at it's impressive collection.

Your prize was accompanied by a generous $3000 grant from the Bendigo Bank. Lucky duck! What did/will you spend the money on? How will it further your career/business?

We feel very lucky to be able to put this money towards some much-needed new stage lighting!!

The best artists, releases, venues and festivals of the year were honoured at the 15th Music Victoria Awards last night, while legendary siblings Vika and Linda and community radio institution PBS 106.7FM were inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Co-presented by RRR 102.7FM and 2019 Hall of Fame inductees PBS 106.7FM, The Melbourne Recital Centre was abuzz for its second year hosting the annual event. MC’d by beloved community radio presenters Lyndelle Wilkinson and Chris Gill, the music industry and music-lovers alike gathered to celebrate all things Victorian music.

Sweeping the floor this year were blues connoisseurs The Teskey Brothers who, after taking out Best Breakthrough Act in 2017, have gone on to win a massive $16,000 cash collectively for Best Album, Best Regional/Outer Suburban Act and Best Song, along with the publicly-voted title of Best Band. Back-to-back winners Sampa The Great and Courtney Barnett have held on to their titles of Best Hip Hop Act and Best Solo Artist respectively, G Flip took home the $5,000 Premier’s Prize for the Best Breakthrough Act award and newcomer Tones And I was awarded a special Outstanding Achievement Award in recognition of her unprecedented achievements domestically and internationally over the past year including taking out number one on the official music charts of 23 countries.

“We had a look at the nominees this year, and it was an incredible line-up, so to win this is such an honour for us. Thanks to everyone at Music Victoria and everyone who voted.” - The Teskey Brothers

In a couple of Awards milestones, Music Victoria recorded the largest count of female winners in the genre categories, and Naretha Williams became the first ever First Nations and First Nations Female artist to win Best Experimental or Avant-Garde Act.

PBS 106.7FM’s Emma Peel and Jesse I were delighted to accept the station’s Hall of Fame induction from Australian film and TV royalty Santo Cilauro. The audience was treated to live performances from Grand Salvo and Best Heavy Album recipient, and the first ever metal band to perform at the awards, Suldusk, as well as a joyous performance of ‘Stand Up (Clap Your Hands)’ by Melbourne-based South Sudanese artist Gordan Koang. Hip hop legend Philly and vocalist Maylene Slater-Burns left few eyes dry with an especially touching performance of ‘Tired’, a soon-to-be released song in response to the recent police shooting of a young Indigenous man in the Northern Territory.

The evening concluded with Kate Ceberano inducting Vika & Linda Bull into 2019 Music Victoria Hall Of Fame celebrating their acclaimed career which has spanned over three decades, followed by the beloved duo performing their song ‘When Will You Fall for Me?’ with special guest guitarist Mark Seymour, who penned the song.

Music Victoria would like to thank their major partners, Melbourne Music Week, City of Melbourne, Bendigo Bank, Melbourne Recital Centre and the Victorian Government through the Community Support Fund, as well as Lyrical Road, APRA AMCOS, The Archie Roach Foundation, Yamaha, Moshtix and Bakehouse Studios for their generous prize contributions, as well as sponsors, volunteers, performers, and the general public for voting, attending and being a part of an incredible evening.

The 2019 Music Victoria Awards Recipients:

PUBLIC-VOTED WINNERS

The Premier’s Prize for the Best Victorian Album of 2019 - $10,000 Cash Prize

The Teskey Brothers – Run Home Slow

Best Band

The Teskey Brothers

Best Song - $3,000 APRA AMCOS Cash Prize

The Teskey Brothers – So Caught Up

Best Solo Artist

Courtney Barnett

Best Male Musician

Paul Kelly

Best Female Musician

Erica Dunn (Tropical F*ck Storm, Palm Springs, MOD CON, Harmony)

The Premier’s Prize for the Best Victorian Breakthrough Act of 2019 - $5,000 Cash Prize

G Flip

Best Live Act - $5,000 Lyrical Road Travel Voucher

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard

Best Small Venue (under 500 capacity)

Northcote Social Club, Northcote

Best Large Venue (over 500 capacity)

Forum, Melbourne

INDUSTRY-VOTED WINNERS

Best Festival

Golden Plains

Best Regional/Outer Suburban Act - $3,000 Bendigo Bank cash prize

The Teskey Brothers

Best Regional/Outer Suburban Venue (Over 50 gigs per year) - $3,000 Bendigo Bank cash prize

Theatre Royal, Castlemaine

Best Regional/Outer Suburban Venue (Under 50 gigs per year) - $3,000 Bendigo Bank cash prize

Meeniyan Town Hall, Meeniyan

Archie Roach Foundation Award for Emerging Talent - $2,000 Archie Roach Foundation Cash Prize

Key Hoo

Best Blues Album

Opelousas – Opelousified

Best Country Album

Matt Joe Gow – Break, Rattle And Roll

Best Electronic Act

Sui Zhen

Best Experimental or Avant-Garde Act

Naretha Williams

Best Folk or Roots Album

The Maes – The Maes

Best Heavy Album

Suldusk – Lunar Falls

Best Hip Hop Act

Sampa The Great

Best Intercultural Act

Përolas

Best Jazz Album

Andrea Keller – Transients Vol. 1

Best Reggae and Dancehall Act

Echo Drama

Best Rock/Punk Album

Tropical F*ck Storm – Braindrops

Best Soul, Funk, Gospel or RnB Album

Allysha Joy – Acadie: Raw

HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

PBS 106.7FM and Vika & Linda Bull

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Tones And I

Chris Wilson

Induction to the inaugural Blues Music Victoria, Hall of Fame, Blues Legend.

By Kerri Simpson

Wednesday Oct 30 2019

 

Let’s raise our glasses to Chris Wilson.

It is hard to encapsulate everything that Chris did and was to the blues community in one speech. I think it would be safe to say that all the nominees, and all of us in the blues community, everyone wanted Chris to win. He truly deserves to be the first musician inducted into the Blues Music Victoria Hall of Fame. Of all of us musicians, Chris deserves this award because he played more and promoted blues music more in this country than any of us.

Chris Wilson was a giant of a man and he lived and breathed the blues. His commitment was always 100 percent; over the years, he played thousands of gigs. I’ve seen him exhausted, sick and worn out, laying on a couch backstage absolutely knackered, and then he would jump up on stage to blow everybody away, prowling, stomping and blowing his head off.

Like any working musician, he played and loved a diverse range of styles and wrote a significant body of original work. However, everything he played was always informed by the blues. Chris was a highly insightful and intelligent man; he read about and listened incessantly to all kinds of blues. He was a deeply spiritual man. He had an extraordinarily astute understanding of the human condition, which showed in his lyrics and in the way he delivered every note. He understood the importance of placement, of one note or one word, one bend or twist, or a multitude of notes and words and bends. Regardless of the genre he was playing, every note was underpinned by his massive command and inherent understanding of the blues.

Chris was one of the best songwriters of his generation; he could write songs that made you laugh and cry, he was astute, observant, he understood people, his songs touched you. We will never forget iconic Australian songs like “Shoot out at the 7/11”, a blues at its heart.

Always thinking of others, Chris constantly sought out new bands and players; he had an excellent ear for new talent. He was a massive supporter of other musicians, male and female, and he employed female musicians and roadies long before that was an accepted thing in this industry. It wasn’t important whether someone was well known or just starting out, Chris would chat, discuss and pass on his formidable knowledge to anyone who had a genuine interest. He would sit and play with beginners or experienced musos; he didn’t care, he just loved playing and never gave “fame” even a thought.

In fact, he hated the whole fame and celebrity thing. I will never forget one night at a club; I was stony broke, having just come back from New Orleans. I’d walked from St Kilda to Richmond to see Chris, Vika and a few other mates play. The club owner had told Chris that he didn't want to give me a gig or let me sit in because I wasn't famous enough. Chris did not appreciate that at all. That was not how Chris did things. Later that night, Bob Dylan’s band came in and sat with Chris’ band. I was side of stage, drinking Chris’s rider because I was too broke to buy a drink. Chris grabbed me one handed by the collar of my coat and suddenly I was hoisted onto stage. He plonked me down and said, “If anyone belongs on this stage, Simpson, it’s you … fucking sing ! ” He pushed me towards his vocal mic and sing I did. That was the mark of the man. I was certainly not the only person he would do that kind of thing for, I was definitely not the only broke or struggling musician he helped out.

One of the reasons Chris loved blues so much was because it’s music for the common man. The blues is the people’s music. Something everyone could feel, whether they were educated in music or not. Blues has a primal power that connects with people. Chris had that same power, both on-stage and off. Those of you here tonight who were fortunate enough to have seen Chris Wilson perform know that when he hit his straps the whole room went with him.

I have seen and heard thousands of musicians in my time. I have seen musicians from all around the world, but no one anywhere could equal Chris Wilson in his stride. His voice and harp playing resonated deeply inside each and every one of us, he took you to another part of the planet. This was a man who made you feel; feel good, feel hopeful, happy or connected. He made you reflect but, no matter what, he always made you feel. As a musician playing alongside of him the experience as Shannon Bourne said was transcendental.

The extent to which Chris had affected people throughout his career was witnessed by the music community’s reaction and support when he became ill. Chris loved community, he passionately loved music and always worked towards bringing people together and helping people out. Teaching primary school kids, secondary school kids, helping out oldies, looking out for mates, helping out addicts, teaching harp. He played more benefits than most of us have had hot dinners.

Over the years, I know so many people found Chris’s music helped them when they had been suffering or having a hard time. Chris’s music made them feel again. When he was ill, I had so many people asking me to pass messages on to him, and that message was always the same: Chris had changed their life. He had often more than changed their life; his music had helped people who were suicidal, going through divorces or deaths. The stories always followed a similar pattern; they were going through a major tough time, but went to a gig, and that was the turning point in their recovery. Chris Wilson’s music touched and changed people’s lives that is why he deserves this award.

The reality was that Chris never helped people for his own gain and he never sought attention. However, there was many a time when he would quietly slip me a fifty-dollar note and say, “Simo, see that person over there … give them this and tell them to get a guitar lesson with it.”

We had a mutual mate who was down on their luck. As always, Chris slipped me a fifty and said, “Simo, can you get them some groceries?”. When I was down on my luck, having come back from the US, having had all my money stolen, and been ripped off, he simply said to me, “Simo, consider it payment for an education in life”. And then he slipped me some money.

Just when his career was taking off nationally and internationally, Chris’s beloved mum, Betty, became ill with cancer. Chris dropped his music without a second thought, he dropped everything to look after his mum.

It was acts like these to many hundreds of people over the years that touched so many people that made such an impact. The deep respect and genuine love for Chris was evident in the way the entire country showed their support for him when he became ill.

It is shown tonight by this award. Chris’s induction as a Blues Legend into the Hall of Fame.

It was a blessing that Chris was able to understand before he died just how much of an impact he had made on other people’s lives. At the core, he was a humble man, and if he could only have been here with us tonight, he would have been all uncomfortable and saying the rest of us nominees deserved to win more than him.

All of us who were lucky enough to know Chris know that he would have been cracking endless jokes tonight about being inducted. He was a highly intelligent man and we will never forget his wickedly informed sense of humour. He would throw in lines and jokes at gigs that seemed so effortless, and he would have hundreds of people laughing.

He was fearless onstage and off, and he hated the bullshit side of the industry. One night, Pat Cash came in to that same club I was talking about earlier. Cash was pissed and asked Chris if he could get up and sing. Without skipping a beat, Chris told him to fuck off over the mic. “I don't come down to the tennis centre and ask if I can hit a ball around with you … Don't come in here and ask to sit in!”

Of course, no one manages to make a career like that without support, and Chris had his family. His beautiful mum, Betty, used to do all his bookings and management and we all knew, she was a darling. You used to have to call up Betty to book Chris. Later on he had the support of the love of his life, the incredible Sarah Carroll and their two sons, Fenn and George, and his legacy lives on through each of them. Chris was so proud of them, and would have been delighted that all three of them have albums coming out in the next few months.

If Chris were here, he would have been truly humbled and honoured to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. It would have meant so much more to him than the other awards he had won because this night and Blues Music Victoria has been set up by people who genuinely love and care about blues music and musicians. Like Chris did.

Thank you to those who nominated him and thank you to everyone who voted for Chris.

And to echo back almost the same words he once said to me “If anyone deserves to be a Blues Legend in this Blues Music Victoria Hall of Fame, it’s fucking you, Wilson"!

‘Blues is easy to play, but hard to feel.’
In the famous quote, Jimi Hendrix recognised the power of the blues is in how you deliver it, and blues in Victoria has harboured many masters of the art. It is time for respect and recognition!

And so, at an emotional celebration on 30th October, Australian blues music legends, Dutch Tilders and Chris Wilson were inducted into the inaugural Blues Music Victoria (BMV) Hall of Fame. The first Blues Music Hall of Fame in the Southern Hemisphere.

The MEMO music hall in St Kilda was packed to capacity when members of Dutch’s band, The Blues Club accepted the award on behalf of the Tilders family and his enduring fans.
Geoff Achison (Guitar), Barry Hills (Bass) and Winston Galea (Drums) remembered the early days at the Windsor Castle and Station Hotel, and how Melbourne blues lovers hung on his every word, and in awe with his driving fingerstyle acoustic blues. BMV ambassador, musician Lloyd Spiegel, introduced the Blues Club with his own memories of sitting at the feet of the master as a young guitar prodigy.

Blues chanteuse Kerri Simpson inducted Chris Wilson, voted the 2019 People’s Choice, with an impassioned tour de force of the great man’s musical exploits. The late musician was remembered for his powerful singing and harmonica performances, as well as his song writing ability in the country and blues field. Wilson’s wife Sarah, and sons Fenn and George accepted the award appreciating the enduring recognition.
Celebrations were complete with the Blues Club and BMV ambassadors Spiegel and Kelly Auty performing rousing performances from the blues canon.
BMV President Barry Maxwell said plans were well underway for the 2020 Victorian blues Hall of Fame and is eagerly awaited by the blues community.

Blues Music Victoria is a peak industry body representing blues clubs, festivals, venues, media and other industry partners. Individuals can also join as a blues supporter.

Contact:
President, Barry Maxwell 0425 794 653, bluesonthehill@hotmail.com
Vice President, Dennis ‘Salty’ Trevarthen 0419 359 829, saltyblues@gmail.com
www.bluesmusicvictoria.com.au

Video - Dutch Tilders Tribute https://youtu.be/SoM6Frh2beM
Video - Chris Wilson Tribute https://youtu.be/g0zWhbJKBBY

2019 performers revealed for the annual Music Victoria Awards this November
+ Bendigo Bank cash prizes return
+ Tickets on sale now

 

The Music Victoria Awards are on once again, taking place at the stunning Melbourne Recital Centre on Wednesday 20 November as part of Melbourne Music Week.

This year’s Awards night performers include 2019 Hall of Fame inductees Vika and Linda Bull and first-time Awards nominee Gordon Koang, who is up for a whopping five nominations this year. They will be joined by dark-folk metal act and Best Heavy Album nominee Suldusk and Bad Apples powerhouse, Philly as well as former Triple R Album of The Week recipient and AMP nominee, Grand Salvo. Each of these artists will hit the Melbourne Recital Centre stage to perform their own standout tracks from the past 12 months.

“What an honour to be given the Hall Of Fame award by Music Victoria, we’ve loved every one of our 35 years of being part of the vibrant Melbourne music scene.” – Vika Bull

“We are genuinely surprised to be given this most precious Hall of Fame award. To be included alongside our heroes is the biggest honour and we are so happy and proud to be recognised by Music Victoria.” – Linda Bull

Excitement is building around the event thanks to Bendigo Bank, which is once again offering generous cash prizes of $3,000 for each of the winners in the industry-voted categories for the Best Regional and Outer Suburban Act, Best Regional/Outer Suburban Venue (Over 50 gigs per year) + Best Regional/Outer Suburban Venue (Under 50 gigs per year).

“We are excited and honoured to support this fantastic event for the second year running. The Music Victoria Awards provide an amazing platform for recognition for our emerging and established local talent and the wonderful venues in Regional and Suburban Victorian, and are a brilliant night for all involved” -Nick Carter, Bendigo Bank

With less than 3 weeks left to vote in the public categories, be sure to cast your vote by midnight Friday 8 November to ensure your favourite acts and venues are awarded for their efforts. If you’d like to head along to catch all the action at the Melbourne Recital Centre, a very limited number of general public tickets are now on sale with hefty discounts available for Music Victoria Members, so get in quick!

Access the Music Victoria Members Discount code by logging in here.

...and don’t forget to get your public votes in before midnight Friday 8 November 2019 at: www.musicvictoria.com.au/votenow

 

Best Album

Amyl and the Sniffers – Amyl and the Sniffers

Angie McMahon – Salt

Gregor – Silver Drop

On Diamond – On Diamond

The Teskey Brothers – Run Home Slow

Best Band

Amyl and the Sniffers

Cash Savage and The Last Drinks

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard

The Teskey Brothers

Tropical F*ck Storm

Best Song

Briggs – Life is Incredible (feat. Greg Holden)

Cash Savage and The Last Drinks - Good Citizens

Gordon Koang – Stand Up (Clap Your Hands)

Sampa The Great – Final Form

The Teskey Brothers – So Caught Up

Best Solo Artist

Alex Lahey

Angie McMahon

Baker Boy

Courtney Barnett

DRMNGNOW

Gordon Koang

Gregor

Olympia

Palm Springs

Sampa The Great

Best Male Musician

Davey Lane

Gareth Liddiard (Tropical Fuck Storm)

Gordon Koang

Stu Mackenzie (King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard)

Paul Kelly

Best Female Musician

Angie McMahon

Courtney Barnett

Erica Dunn (Tropical F*ck Storm, Palm Springs, Harmony)

Romy Vager (RVG)

Sampa Tembo (Sampa The Great)

Best Breakthrough Act

DRMNGNOW

Gena Rose Bruce

G Flip

Gordon Koang

Tones and I

Best Live Act

Amyl and the Sniffers

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard

Mildlife

Sampa The Great

Tropical F*ck Storm

Best Small Venue (under 500 capacity)

The Gasometer Hotel, Fitzroy

Howler, Brunswick

Northcote Social Club, Northcote

The Old Bar, Fitzroy

The Tote Hotel, Collingwood

Best Large Venue (over 500 capacity)

Corner Hotel, Richmond

The Croxton Bandroom, Thornbury

Forum, Melbourne

Hamer Hall, Southbank

Melbourne Recital Centre, Southbank

INDUSTRY-VOTED NOMINEES

Best Festival

Boogie Festival

Gizzfest

Golden Plains

Meredith Music Festival

Supersense

Best Regional/Outer Suburban Act - $3,000 Bendigo Bank cash prize

Kian

The Kite Machine

Maya Rose

Stonefield

The Teskey Brothers

Best Regional/Outer Suburban Venue (Over 50 gigs per year) - $3,000 Bendigo Bank cash prize

The Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine

Caravan Music Club, Bentleigh East

Karova Lounge, Ballarat

Sooki Lounge, Belgrave

Theatre Royal, Castlemaine

Best Regional/Outer Suburban Venue (Under 50 gigs per year) - $3,000 Bendigo Bank cash prize

Blues Train, Queenscliff

Halls Gap Hotel, Halls Gap

Malt Shed, Wangaratta

Meeniyan Town Hall, Meeniyan

Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo

Archie Roach Foundation Award for Emerging Talent

Allara Briggs Pattison

DRMNGNOW

Kalyani & Isha

Key Hoo

Robert K Champion

Best Blues Album

Anna Scionti – Orphan Diary

Catfish Voodoo – Cookin’ With…

Julian James – Silver Spade

Opelousas – Opelousified

T.K. Reeve – I Wanna Feel Good

Best Country Album

Kate Alexander + Hana Brenecki – Don’t You Have Better Things To Do?

Matt Joe Gow – Break, Rattle And Roll

Mick Thomas’ Roving Commission – Coldwater DFU

Nathan Seeckts – The Heart Of The City

Sean McMahon – You Will Know When You’re There

Best Electronic Act

CORIN

DJ Plead

Kirkis

Rings Around Saturn

Sui Zhen

Best Experimental or Avant-garde Act

Cat Hope

CORIN (Corin Ileto)

Diimpa (William Elm)

Naretha Williams

Uboa (Xandra Metcalfe)

Best Folk or Roots Album

Cat & Clint – The Days That Used To Be

Lucie Thorne – KITTY & FRANK

The Maes – The Maes

Roolya Boolya – Running to You

The Teskey Brothers – Run Home Slow

Best Heavy Album

Blackhelm – Dark Clouds of the Inferno

Religious Observance – Utter Discomfort

Suldusk – Lunar Falls

Uboa – The Origin of My Depression

Vexation – Journey Beyond Mortality

Best Hip Hop Act

Cool Out Sun

DRMNGNOW

Kaiit

Remi

Sampa The Great

Best Intercultural Act

Cool Out Sun

Gordon Koang

Iaki Vallejo

Përolas

The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra

 

Best Jazz Album

Adam Simmons – The Usefulness of Art

Adam Spiegl – Melancholiac

Andrea Keller – Transients Vol. 1

Spirograph Studies – Kindness, Not Courtesy

Various Artists – Sunny Side Up

Best Reggae and Dancehall Act

Echo Drama

Jah Tung

Quashani Bahd

The Shottaz

Yaw Faso

Best Rock/Punk Album

Amyl and the Sniffers – Amyl and the Sniffers

HEXDEBT – Rule Of Four

Stonefield – Bent

Tropical F*ck Storm – Braindrops

V – So Pure

Best Soul, Funk, Gospel or RnB Album

Allysha Joy – Acadie: Raw

Clever Austin – Pareidolia

Cool Out Sun – Cool Out Sun

Laneous – Monstera Deliciosa

The Putbacks – The Putbacks

The Music Victoria Awards
Wednesday 20 November 2019 - Melbourne Recital Centre
Doors: 7.30pm
Performing live: Vika and Linda Bull, Gordon Koang, Suldusk, Philly, Grand Salvo
$50 General Admission or $20 for Music Victoria members

Tickets on sale at https://www.melbournerecital.com.au/events/2019/music-victoria-awards/

Access the Music Victoria Members Discount code by logging in here:
https://www.musicvictoria.com.au/members/professional-development-and-events-discounts

Become a Music Victoria member:
https://www.musicvictoria.com.au/membership-types

The Music Victoria Awards are back for their 15^th year, and the announcement of the 2019 nominees confirms it’s been yet another huge year for the Victorian live and recording music industry.

Previous award winners Sampa The Great and The Teskey Brothers are leading the nominees tally,joined by Tropical F*ck Storm and recent Levi’s Prize winner Gordon Koang - all up for a whopping five awards each in 2019. Following closely behind is rising hip hop act DRMNGNOW and the unstoppable Amyl and the Sniffers with four nominations each across both the public and industry voted categories. Previous awards performer Angie McMahon has had a stellar year locally and internationally and finds herself snagging three publically-voted nominations.

This year’s nominee list includes many never-before-nominated artists, highlighting the immense breadth of talent the Victorian music community continues to offer.

From now until midnight Friday 8 November, Australia’s music community can vote for their favourite music contributions of the year in the publicly-voted categories for Best Album, Best Band, Best Song, Best Solo Artist, Best Male Musician, Best Female Musician, Best Breakthrough Act, Best Live Band, Best Small Venue (under 500 capacity), and Best Large Venue (over 500 capacity). Those who vote will go in the running to win tickets to attend the ceremony at Melbourne Recital Centre on Wednesday 20 November.

Since its inception in 2005, The Music Victoria Awards has partnered with a spread of major sponsors, backing the winners with cash and industry package prizes each and every year. This year’s partners include Bakehouse Studios, who generously provide all nominees with a rehearsal / pre-production package at their coveted Richmond studios; APRA AMCOS, proudly offering a $3000 grant to the winner of Best Song; and The Archie Roach Foundation, who provide a $2000 grant plus mentorship access for the winner of the Archie Roach Foundation Award for Emerging Talent. In 2019, Music Victoria would like to welcome new event partner Lyrical Road, which is providing a $5000 prize pack to this years’ winner of the public-voted award for Best Live Act.

A highlight of the ceremony is the annual Hall of Fame induction and this year Music Victoria is thrilled to announce the coveted Hall of Fame inductees as beloved community radio station PBS 106.7FM and Australian music icons Vika and Linda Bull.

Now entering its 40^th year, PBS (Progressive Broadcasting Service) was conceived in 1979 as a community, member-based radio station unimpeded by commercial interests and dedicated to sharing and promoting diverse music not heard on other stations.

Since their multi-platinum conquest of pop radio with the Black Sorrows in the late 1980s, Vika and Linda Bull have forged diverse pathways into soul, gospel, blues, country and the island music of their Tongan ancestry. By turns tender and powerful, their rich solo vocals and instinctive harmonies have spawned eight albums of their own, as well as illuminating studio and concert performances by Paul Kelly, Rockwiz, C.W. Stoneking, Deborah Conway, Kasey Chambers and many more.

‘’Music Victoria recognises the deep contributions both PBS 106.7FM and Vika and Linda Bull have made to the fabric of Victorian music and culture and is proud to present them both as Inductees to the Music Victoria Awards Hall of Fame in 2019,’’ said MVA Executive Producer Patrick Donovan, who added that they were selected this year by the MVA Hall of Fame Academy, which is comprised of 30 former inductees and industry veterans.

With a limited number of Awards night tickets available to the general public in 2019, plus hefty discounts available for Music Victoria Members, be sure to grab tickets when they go on sale Monday 21 October if you’d like to see all the action on the night, and don’t forget to vote in the 2019 Music Victoria Awards!

The nominees now open for PUBLIC VOTING are:

Best Album
Amyl and the Sniffers - Amyl and the Sniffers
Angie McMahon – Salt
Gregor - Silver Drop
On Diamond - On Diamond
The Teskey Brothers - Run Home Slow

Best Band
Amyl and the Sniffers
Cash Savage and The Last Drinks
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
The Teskey Brothers
Tropical F*ck Storm

Best Song
Briggs - Life is Incredible (feat. Greg Holden)
Cash Savage and The Last Drinks - Good Citizens
Gordon Koang - Stand Up (Clap Your Hands)
Sampa The Great - Final Form
The Teskey Brothers - So Caught Up

Best Solo Artist
Alex Lahey
Angie McMahon
Baker Boy
Courtney Barnett
DRMNGNOW
Gordon Koang
Gregor
Olympia
Palm Springs
Sampa The Great

Best Male Musician
Davey Lane (You Am I, Solo work + more)
Gareth Liddiard (Tropical Fuck Storm)
Gordon Koang
Stu Mackenzie (King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard)
Paul Kelly

Best Female Musician
Angie McMahon
Courtney Barnett
Erica Dunn (Tropical F*ck Storm, Palm Springs, Harmony)
Romy Vager (RVG)
Sampa Tembo (Sampa The Great)

Best Breakthrough Act
DRMNGNOW
Gena Rose Bruce
G Flip
Gordon Koang
Tones and I

Best Live Act
Amyl and the Sniffers
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard
Mildlife
Sampa The Great
Tropical F*ck Storm

Best Small Venue (under 500 capacity)
The Gasometer Hotel, Fitzroy
Howler, Brunswick
Northcote Social Club, Northcote
The Old Bar, Fitzroy
The Tote Hotel, Collingwood

Best Large Venue (over 500 capacity)
Corner Hotel, Richmond
The Croxton Bandroom, Thornbury
Forum, Melbourne
Hamer Hall, Southbank
Melbourne Recital Centre, Southbank

Vote at: www.musicvictoria.com.au/votenow

INDUSTRY-VOTED NOMINEES

Best Festival
Boogie Festival
Gizzfest
Golden Plains
Meredith Music Festival
Supersense

Best Regional/Outer Suburban Act
Kian
The Kite Machine
Maya Rose
Stonefield
The Teskey Brothers

Best Regional/Outer Suburban Venue (Over 50 gigs per year)
The Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine
Caravan Music Club, Bentleigh East
Karova Lounge, Ballarat
Sooki Lounge, Belgrave
Theatre Royal, Castlemaine

Best Regional/Outer Suburban Venue (Under 50 gigs per year)
Barwon Heads Hotel, Barwon Heads
The Bridge Hotel, Bendigo
Malt Shed, Wangaratta
Meeniyan Town Hall, Meeniyan
Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo

Archie Roach Foundation Award for Emerging Talent
Allara Briggs Pattison
DRMNGNOW
Kalyani & Isha
Key Hoo
Robert K Champion

Best Blues Album
Anna Scionti - Orphan Diary
Catfish Voodoo – Cookin’ With…
Julian James - Silver Spade
Opelousas - Opelousified
T.K. Reeve – I Wanna Feel Good

Best Country Album
Kate Alexander + Hana Brenecki - Don’t You Have Better Things To Do?
Matt Joe Gow – Break, Rattle And Roll
Mick Thomas’ Roving Commission - Coldwater DFU
Nathan Seeckts - The Heart Of The City
Sean McMahon - You Will Know When You’re There

Best Electronic Act
CORIN
DJ Plead
Kirkis
Rings Around Saturn
Sui Zhen

Best Experimental or Avant-garde Act
Cat Hope
CORIN (Corin Ileto)
Diimpa (William Elm)
Naretha Williams
Uboa (Xandra Metcalfe)

Best Folk or Roots Album
Cat & Clint - The Days That Used To Be
Lucie Thorne - KITTY & FRANK
The Maes - The Maes
Roolya Boolya - Running to You
The Teskey Brothers - Run Home Slow

Best Heavy Album
Blackhelm - Dark Clouds of the Inferno
Religious Observance - Utter Discomfort
Suldusk - Lunar Falls
Uboa - The Origin of My Depression
Vexation - Journey Beyond Mortality

Best Hip Hop Act
Cool Out Sun
DRMNGNOW
Kaiit
Remi
Sampa The Great

Best Intercultural Act
Cool Out Sun
Gordon Koang
Iaki Vallejo
Përolas
The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra

Best Jazz Album
Adam Simmons - The Usefulness of Art
Adam Spiegel – Melancholiac
Andrea Keller - Transients Vol. 1
Spirograph Studies – Kindness, Not Courtesy
Various Artists - Sunny Side Up

Best Reggae and Dancehall Act
Echo Drama
Jah Tung
Quashani Bahd
The Shottaz
Yaw Faso

Best Rock/Punk Album
Amyl and the Sniffers - Amyl and the Sniffers
HEXDEBT – Rule Of Four
Stonefield - Bent
Tropical F*ck Storm - Braindrops
V – So Pure

Best Soul, Funk, Gospel or RnB Album
Allysha Joy - Acadie: Raw
Clever Austin - Pareidolia
Cool Out Sun - Cool Out Sun
Laneous - Monstera Deliciosa
The Putbacks - The Putbacks

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Vote in the Public categories at: www.musicvictoria.com.au/votenow

Voting closes at midnight, Friday 8 November 2019

The Music Victoria Awards
Wednesday 20 November 2019
Melbourne Recital Centre
8.00pm

Performing artists to be announced and limited tickets will be on sale on Monday 21 October.
$50 General Admission or $20 for Music Victoria members
Tickets will be available through melbournerecital.com.au