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 Germein, who are nominated for Best Regional Artist.
A pop band comprised of three sisters: Georgia, Ella and Clara Germein, the group released their debut album 'Because You Breathe' in 2013, followed by their sophomore self-titled record in 2019.
The group have twice won the People's Choice Pop Award at the SA Music Awards (2019, 2020), and they recently released their new single 'City Lights'.
What's the elevator pitch version of your 2023 so far?
[Georgia Germein] We kicked off 2023 at SXSW in Austin, Texas, followed by The Great Escape in Brighton and multiple UK festivals including main stage at Isle of Wight Festival, Lytham Festival, and Tunes in the Dunes Festival.
We were honoured to open for Sting, Blondie, Tom Jones, Jools Holland, SkyeChristy, Arno Carstens, Lissie in the UK; and are currently on tour with The Corrs in Australia and New Zealand, having just wrapped up their Asia dates in Jakarta and Manilla.
Biggest moment creatively you/ the band have had in 2023?
Today we are releasing our brand new single called 'City Lights', which we wrote, recorded, and produced ourselves in our home studio, pre-production by Stuart Gray, mixed by John Castle, and mastered by Steve Smart. 'City Lights' is about driving away from the chaos of the city and heading somewhere beautiful and secret.
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's really special to be nominated for a South Australian Music Award, having grown up jamming together on our family farm in the Adelaide Hills. No matter where we get to travel with our music, we will always be proud South Aussies and love returning home to SA and the Adelaide music scene.
Fast forward to the awards ceremony; if your name is read out as winner who are you mentioning-thanking in your speech?
We'd be thanking our Mum and Dad for raising us in a house filled with music, and for their ongoing support and encouragement for us as a band.
Thanks to all our family, friends and fans who buy tickets to our shows, buy merch, and spread the word about our music. Thanks to everyone who has believed in us and supported our band over the years (you know who you are), and to our amazing team.
How can folks best support independent musicians-bands?
Buy tickets to live shows, buy merch, tell your friends.
2024 is just around the corner; anything special you're brewing in the background you can share?
We're excited to be opening for the incredible Sir Tom Jones on his Australian Tour in March/ April 2024 (as well as his UK Arena Tour in December), so hope to see you all at The Drive, Adelaide, on Tuesday 26th of March 2024. We also have a bunch of new music coming, so stay tuned.
What makes South Australian music unique?
South Australia is home to so many amazing independent musicians, music industry entrepreneurs, and brilliant live music venues. We grew up going to our Dad's shows in his New Orleans rhythm & blues band Gumbo Ya Ya, and have always had a special place for our iconic festivals like the Adelaide Fringe.
Adelaide is such a unique place in that you can travel to hills, the beach, or the wineries all within about 20 minutes of the city – which is Australia's first and only UNESCO City of Music. There's so many great artists, producers, studios and creatives here in our own backyard. It's like a big country town, and it's music scene is like a big family.
The 2023 SA Music Awards will be staged at Woodville Town Hall (Adelaide) on 8 November.
