A celebration of the South Australian music community, the 2023 South Australian Music Awards have been dominated by Indigenous group DEM MOB who have walked away with five gongs.
Staged at Adelaide's Woodville Town Hall (8 November), 30 artists, industry professionals, festivals and venues have taking home an award, showcasing the diverse breadth of talent across the state.The hip hop group from the APY lands, DEM MOB scored the prestigious Emily Burrows Award (that includes a $5,000 grant for professional development) alongside wins for Best Regional Artist, Best Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Artist, Best Hip Hop Award.
The group capped an impressive night, walking away with Best Music Educator award for their Kurunpa Kunpuntjaku programme. This initiative sees DEM MOB spearheading music programmes and initiatives in the Apy Lands and Ceduna to engage young First Nations students in the curriculum using music as a culturally responsive pedagogy.
"We feel blessed and overwhelmed with the response at the South Australian Music Awards and it drives us to continue developing a sustainable educational program and live musical career," shares DEM MOB.
"The time we were spent in the APY Lands allowed us to hone and develop our craft, vision and the platform for the Kurunpa Kunpuntjaku programme. The Awards also enable us to shine a spotlight on the opportunities offered to regional communities and artists."
Post-punk, noise-rock band The Empty Threats showcased why they're rapidly emerging as a new local force, winning Best New Artist and Best Song for their hauntingly beautiful track 'Evil Eye'.
Funk-jazz-progressive band Slowmango also picked up two awards, with the six-piece group who create raw, genre-exploring grooves taking home Best Release (for 'Hypercolour Miscellaneous') and Best Cover Art (by Kaspar Schmidt Mumm & The Bait Fridge).
Indie folk-rock singer-songwriter Alana Jagt was awarded Best Solo Artist (a category scenestr was super proud to present) after releasing her debut album, 'Goodbye Grote Bollen' late last year.
While alternative garage rockers Bad//Dreems won Best Group, solidifying their 2023 that has seen them release their fourth studio album 'Hoo Ha', which is nominated for Best Rock Album at next week's ARIA Awards.
The Neville Clark Award, named after Disk Edits founder and sound engineer Neville Clark, recognises outstanding sound engineering students from TAFE and SAE. This year, the awards went to SAE student Jase Ess and TAFE student Todd Pergallini.
Meanwhile, Adam Page's global collaboration earned him the title of Best International Collaboration, courtesy of UNESCO, and Rachel Whitford was recognised as South Australia’s Best Manager.
On the live music front, Crown & Anchor won Best Live Music Venue, while Adelaide Guitar Festival - On the Road 2023 secured the title of Best Regional Live Music Venue or Live Music Activation, and Nathan D'Agostino's live expertise earned him the title of Best Live Technician.
"This year's SA Music Awards have been fiercely contested with some categories literally decided by one or two votes," MusicSA CEO Christine Schloithe says.
"We've seen record voting numbers in the People's Choice categories and a groundswell of industry respect and support for everyone who entered into the Awards process.
"We celebrate the award winners and congratulate all nominees – the bar was set very high this year."
Minister for Arts Andrea Michaels MP said the Malinauskas Government is proud to celebrate another successful year of South Australian music.
"Congratulations to the talented 2023 SA Music Awards winners and finalists. 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."
Australian music icon Paul Kelly was inducted into the South Australian Music Hall of Fame, while there were live performances from Alexsiah, The Empty Threats, Carla Lippis + The Mondo Psycho, and singer-songwriter Nathan May.
Paul Kelly - image © Samuel Graves
South Australian Music Awards 2023 Winners
Special Awards
Neville Clark Award
Todd PergalliniJase Ess
