Courtney Barnett, Baker Boy, dominate The Age Music Victoria awards

Courtney Barnett and Baker Boy dominated last night’s The Age Music Victoria awards at Melbourne’s Recital Hall.

Barnett, who is overseas touring, won best solo artist, best female musician and The Premier’s Prize for the best Victorian album of 2018, which came with a $10,000 cash prize.

22-year old Baker Boy’s rapid rise was obvious: in his first win at the awards, he had four triumphs:  best song, best male musician, best live act and The Premier’s Prize for the best Victorian breakthrough act of 2018, which came with a $5,000 cash prize.

Victoria’s minister for creative industries, Martin Foley, who presented the $5000 breakthrough prize to Baker Boy, also announced plans for a new 10-day, state-wide Victoria Live festival to showcase local music, wine and beer (see separate story).

Baker Boy was among the night’s performers, along with  Sampa The Great (who did “Bye River” with a 16-person choir), Midlife, Angie McMahon and Evelyn Ida Morris.

The ceremony ended with a rousing version of Divinyls’ “Boys In Town” by Ella Hooper and Dallas Frasca after a video tribute as part of the official induction into the hall of fame by Chrissy Amphlett along with record producer and media personality Ian “Molly” Meldrum.

The night was again hosted by Chris Gill and Lyndelle Wilkinson of co-presenting partners RRR 102.7FM and PBS 106.7FM and began with a Welcome to Country by N’arweet Carolyn Brigg.

PUBLIC-VOTED WINNERS

Best Victorian album (Premier’s Prize $10,000):  Courtney Barnett for Tell Me How You Really Feel

Best Band: Camp Cope

Best Song: Baker Boy – “Marryuna”

Best Solo Artist: Courtney Barnett

Best Male Musician: Danzal Baker (Baker Boy)

Best Female Musician: Courtney Barnett

Best Victorian Breakthrough Act (Premier’s Prize $5,000): Baker Boy

Best Live Act: Baker Boy

Best Small Venue (under 500 capacity): Northcote Social Club, Northcote

Best Large Venue (over 500 capacity): Corner Hotel, Richmond

INDUSTRY-VOTED WINNERS

Best Festival: Golden Plains

Best Regional/Outer Suburban Act (Bendigo Bank $3,000):

This Way North

Best Regional/Outer Suburban Venue (Over 50 gigs per year) Bendigo Bank $3,000: Karova Lounge, Ballarat

Best Regional/Outer Suburban Venue (Under 50 gigs per year) Bendigo Bank $3,000: Meeniyan Town Hall, Meeniyan

Archie Roach Foundation Award for Emerging Talent: Kaiit

Best Blues Album: Collard Greens And Gravy – Luedella

Best Country Album: James Ellis & The Jealous Guys – It Ain’t Texas (But It Ain’t Bad)

Best Electronic Act: Mildlife

Best Experimental or Avant-Garde Act: Nat Grant

Best Folk or Roots Album: Michael Waugh – The Asphalt & The Oval

Best Global Act: Senegambian Jazz Band

Best Heavy Album: Encircling Sea – Hearken

Best Hip Hop Act: Sampa The Great

Best Jazz Album: Sam Anning – Across A Field As Vast As One

Best Reggae and Dancehall Act: Monkey Marc

Best Rock/Punk Album: Little Ugly Girls – Little Ugly Girls

Best Soul, Funk, RnB Album: Sampa The Great – Birds and The BEE9

Cat and Leisha of This Way North commented,  “We’re so blown away to have won this award.

“Being two humans that grew up in small country Vic towns this means so much to our teenage selves.

“Currently living touring the old school way, in our van on the road and show to show being independent musicians, the backing from Bendigo Bank will go towards our next release.

“One day when we have a house again and this little guitar will go straight to the pool room.”