With 18 major award categories that are voted on by industry members, 2023 South Australian Music Awards spotlight the diverse and incredible local talent on display within the state.
"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."
Read the list of 2023 SA Music Award nominees.
We'll be profiling a number of this year's nominees with our Spotlight On series that continues with Eskatology, a nominee for the Best Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Artist award.
With over a decade of experience writing (four albums, two EPs) and performing within the Australian hip hop scene, Indigenous (Ngarrindjeri) artist Jono Stier known as Eskatology has proven his longevity as an artist with a steadfast approach to producing thought-provoking music, while mentoring young minds through writing workshops and his activism within the community.
Eskatology's most recent single was titled 'Voting Day', which dropped last week ahead of the referendum. He's followed up with his very first podcast.
"Something a little different, I'm putting out my first podcast episode called 'REFEREDUM'. Some things need a little speaking on. Drops tomorrow on Spotify. For those without Spotify, I'm chucking it on Soundcloud too."
What's the elevator pitch version of your 2023 so far?
I'll keep rising? Na, I'm kidding. I'm a First Nations hip hop artist who thrives to deliver thought provoking lyrics – to encourage and agitate for change and well-being.
Biggest moment creatively you/ the band have had in 2023?
Oh man, 2023 has been a little steady but I'd say being asked 24 hours before rapper Urthboy hits the stage in Adelaide, to drop some rhymes on one of his classic raps along side him, and rising star Marlon (Marlon and Rulla).
Being a creative, artist, musician can be a lonely existence, so what does it mean to be nominated for a South Australian Music Award?
It means that people are listening; as artists, we often feel like not too many people are listening and to be nominated myself; I mean for not only a People's Choice award but an industry award is just thoughtful – it shows that hard work does pay off when you grind hard.
Fast forward to the awards ceremony; if your name is read out as winner who are you mentioning-thanking in your speech?
Probably God hey – cliché? Nah, I'll thank every single person that voted, and cared enough for my music and myself as a person to nominate me, and to the industry people who took the time to listen and research my music to make the decision I should be nominated.
How can folks best support independent musicians-bands?
Don't wait till they're famous – share, share, share. In a digital world sharing is the best resource, so more people can hear your name, and of course buy some merch/music.
2024 is just around the corner; anything special you’re brewing in the background you can share?
Indeed, I have some new music coming. I have a track that will be very different to what I normally do and will touch on issues that are taboo and not spoken on so stay peeled.
What makes South Australian music unique?
Hilltop Hoods, Elsy, Trials. We have a flourishing amount of talent that gets overlooked a lot of the time, and I think our creativity here is different. We are a smaller city and state, but we have some of the ripest artists.
The 2023 SA Music Awards will be staged at Woodville Town Hall (Adelaide) on 8 November.
