Behind every Bieber that stands up on stage thanking his God and his management is a team of hard-working engineers, songwriters, producers and mixers who – while technically nominated for Grammy awards – don’t receive any actual kudos.
We think this is a travesty, and so in the spirit of fairness, we are highlighting those hard-working Australians that played an important part in crafting the music that will battle it out for one of those weird-shaped awards.
Samuel Dixon
Dixon is best known as Sia’s longtime collaborator, writing with her since 2004. This year, it’s his work with Adele that is being celebrated; he co-wrote and producer ‘Love In The Dark’ from ’25’, up for Album Of The Year.
Simon Cohen
When Bieber swung by Sydney’s Studios 301 while in the country, it was Cohen who produced his vocals, which ended up on ‘Love Yourself’ from the Album Of The Year-nominated ‘Purpose’. Nice work if you can get it.
Khaled Rohaim, Nicholas Audino, Willie Tafa and Lewis Hughes
As Twice As Nice, these Melbourne writers and producers have worked with many big-hitters such as Rihanna, DJ Mustard, Tiesto, and Bieber – being nominated this year for their producing and writing credits on Ariana Grande’s track ‘Be Alright’, which was plucked from Best Pop Vocal Album, ‘Dangerous Woman’.
King and Country
Brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone penned ‘Priceless’, which is in the running for the Best Gospel Performance/Song.
Mia Fieldes
This Aussie co-wrote ‘Chain Breaker’ by Zach Williams, which is competing against a number of other locals for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song.
Hillsong Young and Free
‘Youth Revival’ is nominated for the Best Contemporary Christian Music Album. As the youth group of one of the world’s most popular Christian churches, they are in with a good shot.
Grace Sewell
Grace Sewell’s cover of Lesley Gore’s 1963 hit ‘You Don’t Own Me’ hit #1 in Australia, which was a massive feat in itself, but many aren’t aware that it was also included on the soundtrack to ‘Suicide Squad’, which is up for Best Compilation Album.
Paul Mabury
Lauren Daigle’s striking ‘Trust In You’ is up for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song, which was co-written by Aussie Paul Mabury. Australia is certainly strong in this category.
