Hello to all,
Over the Christmas and New Year's break, Music Victoria will be closing its office for a two week period. This closure will begin on Saturday 21st December, 2019. Our office hourse will resume as per usual on Monday 6th January, 2020.
We wish everyone a safe and happy holidays!
Until next year,
The MV Team.
Last night, the Music Victoria members elected two board directors at its annual general meeting, held at Richmond’s Corner Hotel.
Musicians and music industry workers Chelsea Wilson and Chris O’Neill were re-elected to the board for three years, under the recently amended rules of association which increases the terms from two years.
The new board then co-opted Sally Howland and Matthew Kennedy to the board, with Ms Howland unanimously re-appointed as Chair. The board unanimously re-appointed Ms Wilson as deputy chair, while Ms Dine was appointed as the new secretary.
They will join Catherine Haridy, Heidi Braithwaite, Melinda Dine and Tim Heath on the board for the next 12 months.
Ms Howland thanked the unsuccessful applicants for nominating, as well as all of the members who attended the AGM to vote.
She also thanked outgoing board members Sarah Blaby and Paul Luczak, as well as former chair Tim Northeast.
‘’To our departing Board members – Tim Northeast, Sarah Blaby and Paul Luczak – thank you so much for putting in the hard yards’’, Ms Howland said. ‘’There may not be much glory in all the behind the scenes work which you’ve done, but you should know that you’ve made difference.
To my other board colleagues – Chelsea, Cath, Tim, Chris, Matthew, Mel and Heidi – your dedication to the cause is obvious and I’m very grateful for all of your support.’’
Elected at the 2019 AGM:
Chelsea Wilson
Chelsea Wilson is a Melbourne based vocalist, broadcaster, DJ and producer with over 12 years music industry experience. Her debut soul-inspired album ‘I Hope You’ll Be Very Unhappy Without Me’ was lauded #2 Album of the Year on ABC Radio National and nominated for Best Soul album at the Age Music Victoria Awards 2014, leading to performances including Glastonbury Festival UK and the headline spot on the Arts Centre stage at the Australasian World Music Expo. Her behind the scenes roles have included Concert and Events Licensing Representative at APRA AMCOS, Music Manager at PBS 106.7FM, Artistic Director of Stonnington Jazz Festival and Music Programmer of Brunswick Music Festival.
Chris O’Neill
Artist, advocate and industry stalwart Chris O’Neill has been committed to music for more than a decade. While he graduated from QUT with a Bachelor of Music, it’s been his work on and off the stage that had built his profile and reputation. Chris makes a daily contribution to supporting songwriters through his role at APRA AMCOS as Senior Manager - National Engagement, where he regularly engages with industry organisations around the country, whilst rolling out the APRA AMCOS national events program and managing the APRA AMCOS grants program. An acclaimed drummer, Chris has written and performed with artists from just about every genre, made numerous records, and performed on stages around the country including major festivals such as Prima Vera, Splendour in the Grass & Big Day Out.
Appointed at the 2019 AGM:
Sally Howland
Sally has worked for APRA AMCOS for 40 years, most recently as an Advisor to both companies. Prior to that she held the executive position as the Head of Member Services. Sally is the author of Song Cycles – An audit of support infrastructure for Indigenous Music in Australia. Commissioned by the Australia Council and published in 2010. She researched and authored Starting Ground – A Scoping Study into NSW Aboriginal Artists (2015) and was the Project Manager for the NSW Skills Development program – Starting Ground, which started in 2015 and is now in its fifth year. Sally is a Non-Executive Director of the Archie Roach Foundation and Support Act Ltd (SAL), having been appointed Chair of the SAL Board in 2013.
Matthew Kennedy
Matthew has worked within not-for-profit business management and development, across all of local, state, national and international levels, for more than 20 years. Since 2011, he has been the Chief Executive Officer of Tennis Victoria, which has 38 staff and about 900 member clubs, centres and associations. He previously worked for the International Cricket Council for a decade and was its Global Development Manager, first based out of London and then later Dubai, responsible for supporting 94 non-Test cricket nations.
For inquiries, please contact Music Victoria CEO Patrick Donovan
9686 3411
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
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/
To access tickets for the deaf and hard of hearing (with a good view of interpreter), apply the promo code AUSLAN above the seating map when selecting your seats.
To access the Music Victoria Members Discount codes, log 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
With Melbourne Music Week right around the corner, here are 5 events that you can expect to see the Music Victoria at in the next few days:
China Music Now 2019 - Presented by the VMDO
Friday 15 November, 12:30pm - 2:30pm
Venue: Amcor Lounge, Arts Centre
International music industry representatives from key Chinese music companies will come together with local industry for the China Music Now panel. Offering an invaluable insight into unprecedented opportunities that exist in China’s contemporary music market now, the expert panel will further explore the potential future connections. With a focus on touring within China as well as connecting to international Chinese audiences, the panel will focus on the VMDO’s aim of supporting local music businesses, in order to create pathways and networks into new markets within China.
Sounding it out: 10 years of Melbourne Music Week
Monday 18 November, 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Venue: MPavilion, Queen Victoria Gardens
Moderator: Dr. Andrea Baker, author of The Great Music City (Palgrave), Senior Lecturer in Journalism, Monash’s School of Media, Film and Journalism.
Panellists:
Patrick Donovan – CEO, Music Victoria
Helen Marcou AM – Co-founder, Bakehouse Studios and SLAM Rally
Neil Morris – artist, DRMNGNOW & Music Business Manager - First Peoples, Victorian Music Development Office
Nick O’Byrne – CEO, Look Out Kid Artist Management (via Skype in Los Angeles)
Councillor Cathy Oke- City of Melbourne
This is a free event.
MMW Talks: Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow (with Scott Cohen) - Presented by the VMDO
Monday 18 November, 3:30pm - 5:30pm
Doors open at 3.30pm for a 4.00pm sharp starting time.
Venue: RMIT Melbourne
Streaming music and social media are driving the huge growth in the music industry. But that is about to all change with the development of Virtual Reality, Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain and other new technologies.
Presented by the VMDO, Melbourne Music Week and RMIT Screen and Sound Cultures.
Book launch: ROOTS - HOW MELBOURNE BECAME THE LIVE MUSIC CAPITAL OF THE WORLD by Craig Horne
Monday 18 November, 6pm
Venue: The Channel, Arts Centre Melbourne, St Kilda Road Terrace
Featuring an introduction from Music Victoria CEO Patrick Donovan
This event is invite only
Wednesday 20 November, 8pm - 11pm
Venue: The Melbourne Recital Centre, 31 Sturt St, Southbank
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.
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 15th 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 40th 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

Attention all Music Victoria Members,
A Special General Meeting of Contemporary Music Victoria Inc (“Music Victoria”) will be held at the Music Victoria office, Level 2, 77 Southbank Blvd, Southbank VIC 3006 on Tuesday 22 October 2019 commencing at 6:30pm.
The purpose of this Special General Meeting is to vote on a special resolution to make amendments to the Music Victoria Rules of Association (“Rules”). The proposed special resolution is set out in the link below and the complete changes proposed to the Rules can be accessed here.
The main intention of the proposed amendments to the Rules is to improve the processes and procedures around the Music Victoria Board’s make-up, elections, appointments, terms and rotations. There is a particular focus on removing the current shorter-term appointments (compared to known not-for-profit industry standards) and the practical risk of up to seven Directors (70%) being due for re-election or re-appointment at the one time in the same year. In short, Music Victoria is seeking an ideal rotation of 9 core Directors on the Board, with 2 elected Directors and 1 appointed Director (i.e. 1/3rd of the Board) due each and every year. Beyond this, the other proposed amendments are minor adjustments to more accurately reflect Music Victoria’s operations (e.g. Local Councils can now be members).
All current financial members of Music Victoria as at 22 October 2019 are welcome and encouraged to attend the Special General Meeting and will be eligible to vote on the proposed special resolution to amend the Rules. Please note there is only one vote per membership (e.g. one vote per individual membership, and one vote if you are in a band, small business or hold a corporate, council, gold or platinum membership).
If you are unable to attend the Special General Meeting, but would still like to vote on the proposed special resolution, current financial members are entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote. A proxy form is available for download here and must be submitted by 6pm 21 October 2019.
To view the proposed special resolution please click here.
If you have questions regarding these amendments please call Patrick Donovan (CEO) on 03 9686 3411 in advance of the Special General Meeting.