WA's vibrant and talented music scene has been celebrated at the annual WAMAwards, staged as part of WA Music Month, with the industry's best gathering at Perth's Regal Theatre last night (16 November).
After claiming three awards at last year's ceremony, singer-songwriter Siobhan Cotchin has again walked away with three WAMAwards in 2023: Best Country Act, Best Song Lyrics, Best Vocalist.While alt-rock band Joan & The Giants, fresh from supporting Eskimo Joe on their WA tour, picked up three wins last night: Best Alternative/Indie Act, Best Music Video, Best Single – the latter two for 'Cool Kid', which we were thrilled to premiere earlier this year. "We're feeling overjoyed and so incredibly grateful for last night," shares Joan & The Giants.
"Our hearts are full. . . Huge congrats to all the nominees and winners – we all work so bloody hard in this industry that is not an easy one to survive in, and I'm really proud to be in Perth among so many wonderful musos and friends who really inspire us and keep us going. Without this community, we wouldn't be doing this music thing, so thank you."
Veteran metallers, and Australia's Eurovision heroes, Voyager collected two gongs (Best Metal/Heavy Act, Best Drummer/Percussionist) as did electronic act Grievous Bodily Calm (Best Electronic/Dance Act, Best EP).
"Yooo appreciate WAM awarding us Best EP, Best Electronic Act and Zaccy as Best Bassist," Grievous Bodily Calm says. "We've got so much love for everyone that supports us and has listened and enjoyed our music.
"It was our hope with 'Cascades' that listeners can engage with the concept and draw their own meanings, perhaps being nudged in the intended direction via the song titles."
Other notable winners included SUPEREGO (Best Album: 'Who Are You Hiding From'), Pendulum (Best Electronic Producer), Jack Davies and the Bush Chooks (Best Folk/Singer-Songwriter Act, second straight year), Grace Barbé (Best Global Music Act, second straight year), Dulcie (Best Pop Act), Last Quokka (Best Punk/Hardcore Act), Adrian Dzvuke (Best RnB/Funk/Soul Act), and Noah Dillon (Best Rock Act); while Sam Ford (Tone City) scored Best Studio Engineer/Producer and Tone City Records Label of the Year.
The coveted Golden WAMi was awarded to Mark Neal, who has for many years been a true industry all-rounder in his roles as a musician, broadcaster, artist manager, label boss and venue booker.
Also honoured were Perth indie pop-punk favourites Jebediah, who were inducted into the WAM Hall of Fame. Jebs went on to rock the stage on the WA music night of nights, as did special live guests smol fish, Queency, Joan & The Giants, Datura4 and Dave Hole.
"We are most humbled to be inducted in the WA music Hall of Fame in 2023," the Jebs posted.
"When we first started out playing shows around Perth in 1995 we felt quickly embraced by the local music community and that support was crucial to us being able to forge a career beyond WA without having to relocate interstate, which was the done thing in those times.
"It is amazing to us to still be here all these years later and for that support to have remained so rock solid for the entirety of the band's existence. We are incredibly lucky. Thank you WA!"
