PRESS RELEASE:
40 songs have been chosen from a record-breaking 450 entries as the finalists in the 2016 NT Song of the Year Awards.More than 50 Australian music industry leaders were involved in the judging process to identify the top songs from Australia’s most isolated music scene.
Four finalists have been selected in 10 categories including Rock, Pop, Folk, Blues & Roots, Dance/Electronic, Urban/Hip Hop, Country, Heavy, TourismNT Territory Song and Youth.The top 40 songs showcase the diversity and quality of the NT music community and finalists come from all corners of the Territory including Alice Springs, Darwin, Katherine, Elliott, Yirrkala, Ngukurr, Nhulunbuy andMilingimbi.
MusicNT Executive Director Mark Smith said the number of entries was unexpected, but a great reflection of the vibrant Territory music scene.
“We were completely blown away with 450 entries, it’s 150 more than last year and just goes to show the strength of the NT music scene. The quality of the finalists this year shows Territory songwriters are not letting the isolation of our scene hold them back and we can’t wait to announce the winners. We’d like to thank everyone for submitting their music and also thank the judges who had the unenviable task of whitling down from 450 to 40!”
The NT Song of the Year winners will be revealed at the awards night on Saturday, July 9, 2016. A special night featuring performances from 2015 NT Song People’s Choice winnersAt The Dakota, Australiana singer Melanie Gray, fresh electronic act Destrait and another special NT act (to be announced soon).
Along with the category winners and the Overall NT Song of the Year there will also be a People’s Choice revealed on July 9. This Award is decided by the public and last year over 1000 people cast their vote. Voting is open now and closes on Monday June 28 at 5:00pm (ACST).
CLICK TO VOTE IN PEOPLE CHOICE
The 2016 NT Song of the Year Award Finalists: | |
Rock - Black Night– David Asera aka Reggae Dave (posthumous nomination)
- Murray Island– Kasley Daniels, Ambrose Daniels, Burt Rami, Winston Joshua, Ben Mangi, Dylan Daniels aka Lonely Boys
- The Hunter– Kasley Daniels, Ambrose Daniels, Burt Rami, Winston Joshua, Ben Mangi, Dylan Daniels aka Lonely Boys
- Waru– Jonathan Lindsay-Tjapaltjarri and Dion Forrester aka Apakatjah
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| | Heavy - Bond– Tom Devine-Harrison, Luke Dorward, Elliot Williams, Darcy Grant and Connor Askham aka Tapestry
- Beyond Repressed– Malcolm Mcdonald, Tim Glyde, Shaun Howell, Kyle Mines and Jackson Smith aka Miazma
- Coward– Alisdair Mahoney, JD Rodriguez, Benjamin Masters and Jack Ryan aka We Burn Bridges
- Growth– Tom Devine-Harrison, Luke Dorward, Elliot Williams, Darcy Grant and Connor Askham aka Tapestry
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Electronic/Dance - Depths of Heaven– Ermin Nurovic aka Pulzanti
- Salt– Dave Crowe aka Resin Moon
- Sea Without Water– Nicole Soorkia
- Water or Sun– Ermin Nurovic aka Pulzanti
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| | TourismNT Territory Song - Feelings – Marshall Gambley and Cedric Marika aka Ezy 5
- Homecoming – Loc Nguyen aka Col Infinity
- Next Time – Joshua Tarca aka Ben Evolent
- Sunset – Marshall Gambley and Cedric Marika aka Ezy 5
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Country - Gurtha (The Fire)– Dhapanbal Yunupingu ft Shellie Morris
- Milk and Honey– Dave Walden and Andrew Spiers aka Crocodile Tears
- Nature’s Lullaby– Melanie Gray with Gina Jeffreys and Max Jackson
- Toolebuc– Kate Oliver
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| | Urban and Hip Hop - Cave– Hugh Winterflood and James Shakeshaft aka Skank & Shake
- Miyalk Dirramu– Marimunuk Gurruwiwi
- The Nirvana Project– Rhys Manuel and Dave (Wavez) aka Onamanapaya ft Waves
- Ruler– Loc Nguyen aka Col Infinity
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Blues and Roots - Break The Silence– Ngukurr Community with help from Indigenous Hip Hop Projects
- Give Thanks– Colin Lillie
- Kaimel Urapun (We Are One)– David Asera aka Reggae Dave (posthumous nomination)
- Wiripu Mittji, Wangany Mala (Different Colour, One People)– Gayalnga Andrew Gurruwiwi
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| | Pop - Especially Today– Gabby Dever
- Mulunda (Kingfisher)– Stanley Gawurra Gaykamangu aka Gawurra
- Shadows– Michael Cameron, Paddy Kossack, Devon Lines, Marcus Hamilton, Kamahi King and Shaelee (aka Ktown) with help from Indigenous Hip Hop Projects
- Something’s Going To Change– Gabby Dever
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Folk - Everything Was At Peace – Eleanor Dixon and Beatrice Lewis
- Djarrawalu (Sunset) – Ṉalkuma Stuart Yunupingu and Larrtjannga Larry Gurruwiwi
- I Hope To See The Sun – Serina Pech
- Sugar Muffin – Serina Pech
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| | Youth - Invincible– Elli Cleary aka Elli Belle
- Kulimindini is My Home– Alex Butler, Justin Rankine aka E Town Boyz & Eleanor Dixon
- Mother Mary– Casey Glennon aka Casey Jane
- Prison Life– Trevayne Williams, Richard Peterson aka E Town Boyz & Eleanor Dixon
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