At a ceremony in Brisbane last night, the first annual Queensland Music Awards were held, honouring the best of the State’s musical talent. Held at Brisbane’s Old Museum, the night saw 19-year-old sensation Emma Louise shine as she picked up three awards including Song Of The Year and the Pop Award for her song ‘Jungle’ – which has topped charts across the land.
Townsville folkies The Middle East – which announced they were breaking up on stage at Splendour In The Grass – picked up Album of The Year Award for their debut long player I Want That You Are Always Happy. Kate Miller-Heidke picked up the Most Popular Female Award – a publicly voted category – and the new Export Achievement Award, recognising her growing success overseas. Brisbane solo artist and meber of The Gin Club Ben Salter collected the Most Popular Male Award; and The Amity Affliction took out the Most Popular Group.
Denise Foley , Executive Officer of Q Music – whose organisation puts on the event – said the Awards were about giving much-needed recognition to Queensland’s established and emerging artists. “These Awards are about turning the spotlight on those already making world class music, while discovering new talent from all corners of the State,” Ms Foley said.
QUEENSLAND MUSIC AWARDS WINNERS
School Award
‘ODE TO ABIGAIL’ – STEPHEN SMITH
Indigenous Award
‘BEGGARS’ – THE MEDICS
Regional Award
‘UMBRELLA TOWN’ – THE McMENAMINS
Blues and Roots Award
‘ONE STEP’ – KOOII
Country Award
‘MOVE INTO THE CITY’ – JAMES BLUNDELL & KIM RICHEY
Folk/Singer Songwriter
‘1000 SUNDOWNS’ – EMMA LOUISE
Urban Award
‘ROBOTS’ – SCHOOLFIGHT
Electronic/Dance Award
‘THE STARS HAVE ALIGNED’ – DieVsCity
Jazz Award
‘SAUDADE’ – ROBERTO IREGUI (with Marialy Pacheco)
World Music Award
‘BETWEEN THE GREEN AND THE BLUE’ – THE BARLEYSHAKES
Rock Award
‘GEBBIE STREET’ – DZ DEATHRAYS
Heavy Award
‘A BURNING HORIZON’ – TRIA MERA
Pop Award
‘JUNGLE’ – EMMA LOUISE
The Courier-Mail Most Popular Male Award
BEN SALTER
The Courier-Mail Most Popular Female Award
KATE MILLER-HEIDKE
The Courier-Mail Most Popular Group Award
THE AMITY AFFLICTION
The Grant McLennan Lifetime Achievement Award
BILL HAURITZ
The Export Achievement Award
KATE MILLER-HEIDKE
The Billy Thorpe Scholarship
SAM HALES
Song of the Year
JUNGLE – EMMA LOUISE
Album of the Year
I WANT THAT YOU ARE ALWAYS HAPPY – THE MIDDLE EAST
