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 Naomi Keyte, who is nominated for Best Folk, Best Educator, Best Cover Art.
Drawing inspiration from artists like Big Thief, Maple Glider, Feist, and Gillian Welch, Naomi uses the vehicle of contemporary folk music to explore multiple ways of connecting: connection to self, connection with others, connection to personal, and collective narratives connection with audiences, rooms and places.
With Keyte's intimate and detail-rich lyrics, sensitive yet powerful voice, and her band's intuitive and painterly accompaniment, this collective humbly offers up a truly beautiful and moving set.
What's the elevator pitch version of your 2023 so far?
2023 has been a big year. Releasing singles, making video clips, photoshoots, touring Australia, and five award nominations has kept myself and band pretty busy (in the best possible way).
Biggest moment creatively you/ the band have had in 2023?
Making the video clips with professional actors and dancers has been highlight. Working collaboratively across multiple disciplines is really exciting and rewarding. Check out the clip for my single 'Hard To Make Plans'.
Being a creative, artist, musician can be a lonely existence, so what does it mean to be nominated for a South Australian Music Award?
Being an artist can be isolating, and often requires significant personal and financial sacrifices, but I think we all do it because we truly love and believe in our respective art forms.
Being nominated for awards is a sign that my music means something to people, and that means a lot to me. The SA Music Awards are also a great opportunity to come together as an industry and celebrate our collective wins.
Fast forward to the awards ceremony; if your name is read out as winner, who are you mentioning-thanking in your speech?
Firstly, I'd thank the other nominees for being excellent at what they do. I'm thankful for my band, all brilliant artists in their own right – Felicity Freeman, Django Rowe, Miles Farnan, and Grace Mensforth – as well my producers Nick and Ben and my whole creative/ management team. I'm damn grateful for every, single person who has come out to a live show or listened to my music online.
How can folks best support independent musicians-bands?
The best way to support an artist, independent or represented, is to connect with them directly. Go to a live show and buy merch.
Buy their music from their website or Bandcamp page, engage with their socials, and share their music with friends, family, and workmates. Think of yourself as an ambassador for your fave artists.
2024 is just around the corner; anything special you’re brewing in the background you can share?
I am so excited to be releasing my second LP on 2 February, 2024. I'll be touring the record interstate and hopefully overseas. I have some really fun and quirky merch on the brew too.
What makes South Australian music unique?
I think artists mirror their environment, and we live in a particularly striking and beautiful place. No one here is trying to be anything but themselves, so every artist within our small but potent scene has a sound. I also love that in SA, musicians really support other musicians.
The 2023 SA Music Awards will be staged at Woodville Town Hall (Adelaide) on 8 November.
