As the announcement of the triple j Hottest 100 on Australia Day draws near, two A.B. Original tracks have ben recognised in APRA AMCOS’ own top songs list, the shortlist for the esteemed APRA Song of the Year.
The tracks about the often dismissed side of Australia Day (‘January 26’) and the celebration of strength (‘2 Black 2 Strong’) – both off of ARIA #10-charting album Reclaim Australia – were voted in by APRA AMCOS songwriter and publisher members.
The Top 20 sees the collaborative project between NIMA Award winner Briggs and ARIA Award-winning producer Trials (Drapht, Illy, Hilltop Hoods) lead the shortlist alongside Flume, whose two songs ‘Never Be Like You’ and ‘Say It’ also make the list.
Shortlist newcomers Amy Shark, Tash Sultana, D.D Dumbo and Julia Jacklin continue what was a banner year for each in 2016. While previous Song of the Year winners Sia, Missy Higgins, Daniel Johns and Julian Hamilton also make the list.
The voting academy included The Living End’s Chris Cheney, The Preature’s Isabella Manfredi and The Drones’ Mike Noga. Jack Moffitt, Jesse Hooper, Josh Abrahams, Katie Noonan, Kav Temperley, Max Sharam, Mia Dyson, Paul Mac, Sally Seltmann, Shane Nicholson, Stephanie Ashworth and Troy Cassar-Daley were also in the Academy.
The 25th annual APRA Song of the Year will be announced at the APRA Music Awards. Now in its 35th year, the Awards take place on Monday, April 3 at Sydney’s International Convention Centre Ballroom.
2017 Nominees
1955 (Hilltop Hoods Feat. Montaigne & Tom Thum)
– Andrew Burford, Barry Francis, Matthew Lambert And Daniel Smith
2 Black 2 Strong (A.B. Original)
– Adam Briggs, Daniel Rankine And Darren Reutens
Adore (Amy Shark)
– Amy Shark
Cheap Thrills (Sia)
– Sia Furler And Greg Kurstin
Come Home Cardinal Pell (Tim Minchin)
– Tim Minchin
Gamma Knife (King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard)
– Stuart Mackenzie
It’s Not Too Late (Archie Roach)
– Archie Roach And Craig Pilkington
January 26 (A.B. Original Feat. Dan Sultan)
– Adam Briggs, Daniel Rankine And Dan Sultan
Jungle (Tash Sultana)
– Tash Sultana
Never Be Like You (Flume)
– Harley Streten Aka Flume, Kai And Geoffrey Earley
Oh Canada (Missy Higgins)
– Missy Higgins
Pool Party (Julia Jacklin)
– Julia Jacklin
Satan (D.D Dumbo)
– Oliver Perry
Say It (Flume)
– Harley Streten Aka Flume, Julian Hamilton, Daniel Johns And Tove Lo
Set In Stone (Guy Sebastian)
– Guy Sebastian, Stuart Crichton And Taylor Parks
Skeleton Tree (Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds)
– Nick Cave And Warren Ellis
Sooth Lady Wine (Matt Corby)
– Matt Corby And John Henriksson
Sound Of Silence (Dami Im)
– Anthony Egizii And David Musumeci
To Think That I Once Loved You (The Drones)
– Gareth Liddiard
Viceroy (Violent Soho)
– Luke Boerdam, Luke Henery, Michael Richards And James Tidswell