Finalists announced for 2015 NIMAs

Activist hip hop maverick Briggs, Jessica Mauboy, former triple j Unearthed NIMA winner Thelma Plum and last year’s Awards favourite Dan Sultan are the finalists in the Artist of the Year category for this year’s National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs).

Held on Saturday July 25, the Awards finalists also include acclaimed vocalist Emma Donovan (Song of the Year), Central Desert’sTjintu Desert Band (New Talent of the Year), and East Journey ft Yothu Yindi (Album of the Year) who will premiere their collaborative project live with a performance ofThe Genesis Project.

The performance lineup also includes: Gurrumul, who will premiere ‘live’ three songs from his new The Gospel album; Central desert singer-songwriter Frank Yamma, who sings in both Pitjantjatjara and English, is the son of Issac Yamma, an early champion of singing Western songs in traditional language; Tiwi Island’s B2M will perform tracks from their February-released debut album; Luke Peacock’s project The Painted Ladies will revisit songs from seminal albumThe Loneronstage and Vic Simm, who recordedThe Lonerin a Bathurst Jail in one hour in 1973, will perform with The Medics.

:: Michael Hohnen on Gurrumul's upcoming NIMAs performance

The triple j Unearthed NIMA Competition winner is 22-year-old Tweed/Coolangatta artist Zane Francis, who was announced on the stations DRIVE program yesterday.

triple j Music Director Dave Ruby Howe said Francis earned the award based in his track Acclimate. “While the song only lasts for a shade over two minutes, they’re nonetheless breathtaking with Zane’s rich voice packing a devastatingly powerful emotional punch that grips your ears from the first listen and doesn’t let go.”

In April Mark Smith – Executive Director of MusicNT & NIMAs told TMN: “[Indigenous music] integrates a rich cultural heritage that illustrates an intimate connection to place,a respect for environment,as well as very often incorporating language still largely unfamiliar to many Australian listeners;yet resonating profoundly. Audiences are connecting with this in increasing numbers and the awards provide a national platform for recognition".

The NIMAs will be hosted by NITV and SBS journalist and presenter Malarndirri McCarthy and cabaret comedian Kamahi Djordon King (aka Constantina Bush).

Full List of Finalists Below –

National Artist of the Year

• Jessica Mauboy
• Thelma Plum
• Dan Sultan
• Briggs

National Song of the Year

• How Much Does Your Love Cost? – Thelma Plum
• Young In Love – Thelma Plum
• Bad Apples – Briggs
• Dirty Ground – Dan Sultan
• Black Woman – Emma Donovan

National Album of the Year

• Sheplife – Briggs
• Dawn – Emma Donovan and Putbacks
• Uncle – Frank Yamma
• The Genesis Project – East Journey featuring Yothu Yindi

National New Talent of the Year

• Philly
• Lucky Luke
• Tjintu Desert Band

National Cover Art of the Year

• Song of Arnhem Land – East Journey ft Yothu Yindi
• Cause N Affect – Radical Son
• Uncle – Frank Yamma
• Sheplife – Briggs

National Film Clip of the Year

• Bad Apples – Briggs
• Song of Arnhem Land (Salas/Moore Mix) – East Journey
• Human Behaviour – Radical Son
• Dirty Ground – Dan sultan
• Parlingarri – B2M (Bathurst to Melville)

Community Clip of the Year [now National]

• Breath In, Breath Out
  Produced By: Indigenous Hip Hop Projects was proud to partner with Katherine West Health Board and Bulla Camp
• Got a lot Going On – Yarn Safe
  Produced By: Indigenous Hip Hop Projects and Indigenous creative agency Gilimbaa
• Uncle Alfred’s Mens Group – Spear of Destiny
  Produced By: Desert Pea Media
• Cairns Murri Crew – Built To Last
  Produced By: Desert Pea Media
• Tagai Buway – Two Worlds
  Produced By: Desert Pea Media
• Call On Me
  Produced by: Indigenous Hip Hop Projects was proud to partner with Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service and St. Mary's College

The National Indigenous Music Awards are presented by MusicNT in partnership with the NT Government.

Venue and ticket information:
The Amphitheatre, George’s Green, Darwin NT
Adults $30 / Conc & Group $25 / Children 12 & under FREE
Tickets on sale now: http://www.darwinfestival.org.au