As previously reported, the inaugural MusicACT Annual Music Awards, or MAMAs, took place last week, aiming to recognise Canberra’s thriving music scene.
Led by MusicACT – which formed almost two years ago in order to support the local music scene and encourage, promote, and foster local talent – the ceremony was held at Albert Hall and featured 19 awards, included four publicly voted categories.
Launched this year, MusicACT spokesman Peter Bayliss stated the MAMAs were conceived ofter seeing “there was a huge gap in the recognition. It’s not that there isn’t talent or a lot of really hard working people behind it; it’s really about the ability to get recognised”.
The website for the awards night summed up their purpose succinctly stating:
The ACT music industry needs a boost. Give our clever musicians a boost and they’ll flourish. Give them a stage and they’ll transform an audience, give them an old hall and they’ll make a festival. Given the oppotunity they’ll unite this city.
The big winners of the night were dance-happy rockers Super Best Friends, who took out the Best Artist of 2012 and Live Performer of 2012.
The Canberra trio have already had a huge 2012, gracing the stage of Groovin’ The Moo, and supporting the likes of Frenzal Rhomb and Regular John, as well as Regurgitator last year.
The band’s new EP, Handshake, has received extensive airtime on community radio across the country, and first single ‘No Logo Is A Joke’ also gained rotation on Triple J and garnered high praise. Our Tone Deaf reviewer labelled the EP “raw, gritty, and grungy” and “the type of music that would be perfect live,” something that the Canberra public seem to agree with.
Super Best Friends also embarked on a huge national tour in support of the EP, and plan on recording their first full-length album next year, as well as returning to the road.
Also getting recognition at the MAMAs was house music act The Aston Shuffle, who took out Best ACT Electronic Dance Music Producer.
The award rounded out an impressive year for the duo, who recently took part in an international music conference at Mumbai’s Hard Rock Cafe that aimed to “promote the vibrancy, innovation, and diversity of Australia’s contemporary culture”, and will be back on Australian shores for the 2012 Harbour Party on New Year’s Eve in Sydney.
Live venue The Phoenix was judged to be the ACT’s best live venue by the public, while Natalie McGee was publicly voted the best ACT Youth Artist of the year.
Country-infused trio The Wedded Bliss took out Song Of The Year with ‘Broken Bird’, and young talent Xavier Dunn was awarded the Best Folk artist of 2012.
You can check out the full list of winners below.
2012 MusicACT Annual Music Awards Winners (Publicly Voted Categories)
ACT Artist of 2012 – Super Best Friends
ACT Youth Artist of 2012 – Natalie McGee
Live Performer of 2012 – Super Best Friends
ACT Live Venue of 2012 – The Phoenix
MusicACT Annual Music Awards Winners (Independently Judged)
Best ACT Orchestra / Concert / Brass or Big Band – Canberra City Band
Hall of Fame Inductee – Canberra Symphony Orchestra
Hall of Fame Inductee – Winterman Goldstein / Ivy League Records: Pete Lusty, Andy Kelly, James Roden, Andy Cassell
Contribution to ACT Music Industry – Pro Musica
Best ACT Engineer / Producer / Studio – Duncan Lowe
Best ACT Choral / Vocal Group – The Pocket Score Company
Best ACT Classical Solo / Ensemble – Matt Withers
ACT Song of the Year – ‘Broken Bird’ by The Wedded Bliss
Best ACT Country Artist – No Hausfrau
Best ACT Electronic Dance Music (EDM) Producer – The Aston Shuffle
Best ACT Folk Artist – Xavier Dunn
Best ACT Jazz / Blues Artist – Dorothy Jane Gosper
Best ACT Rock / Alternative Artist – Tonk
Best ACT Urban Artist – Kayo Marbilus
