South Australian Music Awards 2023 Finalists

Adelaide post-punk noise-rock band The Empty Threats dominate the finalists of 2023 South Australian Music Awards, claiming six nominations, including Best Song, Best New Artist, Best Group, and Best Release.

With 18 major award categories that are voted on by industry members, South Australian Music Awards spotlight the diverse and incredible local talent on display as another four artists have each received four nominations apiece: Nathan May, DEM MOB, Molly Rocket and Slowmango.

While folk-rock performer, Alana Jagt, has received three nominations, with Bad//Dreems, Coldwave and Alexander Flood each gaining two nominations.

The awards night, set to unfold at Adelaide's Woodville Town Hall on 8 November, is a flagship event in the inaugural Good Music Month and promises a celebration of unparalleled musical talent emanating from the heart of South Australia.



"South Australia is at heart a creative state and the music talent coming out of this state is incredibly exciting and I don't envy the panel of independent judges this year," shares Music SA CEO, Christine Schloithe.

"MusicSA is very proud to host these awards each year on behalf of the South Australian contemporary music industry and we wish everyone all the best in all categories."

Minister for Arts Andrea Michaels MP says the Malinauskas Government is proud to celebrate another successful year of South Australian music. "Congratulations to the talented 2023 SA Music Awards finalists," she says.

"Every one of you has made an important contribution to our state and deserves to be recognised and celebrated.

"As Australia's only UNESCO City of Music, the Malinauskas Government is committed to supporting our state's incredible musicians and growing the South Australian music sector for the future."



The 2023 SA Music Awards will be staged at Woodville Town Hall (Adelaide) on 8 November.

South Australian Music Awards 2023 Finalists

BEST SONG

Coldwave - 'Buster'
Kultar Ahluwalia - 'Pen Pals' featuring Jack Vaul and DJ Hob G
MANE - 'Breathing Again'
Molly Rocket - 'Rabbit Hole'
Nathan May - 'It's Gotta Start Somewhere'
The Empty Threats - 'Evil Eye'

BEST NEW ARTIST

DEM MOB
Molly Rocket
The 745
The Empty Threats

BEST REGIONAL ARTIST

Alana Jagt
Brave Mistakes
DEM MOB
Germein
Stokes

BEST GROUP

Bad//Dreems
Coldwave
Molly Rocket
Slowmango
The Empty Threats

BEST ABORIGINAL OR TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER ARTIST

DEM MOB
Electric Fields
Eskatology
Nathan May
Rob Edwards

BEST SOLO ARTIST

Alana Jagt
Alexander Flood
Lucas Day
Nathan May
Ryan

BEST RELEASE

Alexander Flood - 'Oscillate'
Bad//Dreems - 'Hoo Ha!'
Carla Lippis & Mondo Psycho - 'Carla Lippis - Mondo Psycho'
Molly Rocket - 'Syrup'
Nathan May - 'It's Gotta Start Somewhere'
Slowmango - 'Hypercolour Miscellaneous'
The Empty Threats - 'Monster Truck Mondays'
The Shaolin Afronauts - 'The Fundamental Nature of Being, PartsOne' - Five: Limited Edition 5 x LP
West Thebarton - 'Victory' EP

BEST STUDIO

Cactus Cactus Sound
Forest Range Studios
Interim Recording Studios
Wizard Tone Studios
Wundenbergs

BEST ENGINEER OR PRODUCER

Lewis Wundenberg
Lucinda Machin
Mario Spate
Matthew Schultz
Ryan Martin John

BEST LIVE TECHNICIAN

Luke Hancock
Michael Wickens
Nathan D’Agostino
Ryan Martin John

BEST SMALL FESTIVAL OR EVENT

Big Easy Blues
Some Shine Festival
Space Jams (Alma's Hem)

BEST MAJOR FESTIVAL

Adelaide Beer & BBQ Festival
Caltowie Chilled Out n' Fired Up Festival
Froth & Fury Fest
Nice Day To Go To The Club Festival
Vintage Vibes Festival

BEST LIVE MUSIC VENUE

Crown And Anchor
Hindley Street Music Hall
The Gov
The Grace Emily

BEST REGIONAL VENUE OR ACTIVATION

Adelaide Guitar Festival - On the Road 2023
Big Easy Radio
Murray Delta Juke Joint
Space Jams

BEST COVER ART

Alana Jagt - 'Goodbye Grote Bollen' by Alana Jagt
Jonathan Van Der Knaap and Henry Jarman - 'Hard To Make Plans' by Naomi Keyte
Kaspar Schmidt Mumm & The Bait Fridge - 'Hypercolour Miscellaneous' by Slowmango
Gaz Kanata - 'Monster Truck Mondays' by The Empty Threats
Ashley Giles - 'When We Are' by Tonix

BEST MANAGER

Bianca Nillson - Renegade Records
Hannah Louise
Rachel Whitford - 27 Music
Sebastian James - 27 Music
Tayla Carlaw

BEST MUSIC VIDEO

Conor Mercury Movies - 'Evil Eye' by The Empty Threats
Capital Waste Pictures - 'Soul Of The Lion' by DEM MOB
Adrian Schmidt Mumm - 'Blob Funk' by Slowmango
Conor Mercury Movies - 'Bills' by Carla Geneve

BEST MUSIC EDUCATOR

Adrian Whalland
Allye Sinclair
Kurunpa Kunpuntjaku
Judith Oh
Naomi Keyte