Middle Kids, Gurrumul, Kwame and Mojo Juju win at J Awards
Middle Kids, Gurrumul, Kwame and Mojo Juju were unveiled as winners of this afternoon’s 14th J Awards.
The music industry gathered at Howler in Brunswick, Melbourne, as triple j, Double J, triple j Unearthed and Rage collectively stamped what they considered “outstanding originality, creativity, technical excellence and contribution to Australian music” over the past 12 months.
TRIPLE J AUSTRALIAN ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Winner: Middle Kids, Lost Friends
Let You Love: triple j music director, Nick Findlay says, “From Middle Kids first Unearthed upload through to their incredible debut album and beyond, their song-writing is instantly familiar while being refreshingly original.
“This is nowhere more evident than on their J Award winning album Lost Friends.
“Most records have peaks and troughs, but it’s all peaks on this release.
“At the heart of every song is Hannah Joy’s golden voice; combined with Hannah, Tim and Harry’s instrumentation it creates a rich sonic palette that traverses anthemic rock, alt-country and bitter sweet indie ballads.”
https://www.facebook.com/triplej/photos/a.147721015159/10161419474040160/?type=3&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARCBGjPQB-enYRJcZoQDnVALt2sYkbCHfpQtkBHVf_XV4KEqDQftMTV7iuGqrdvX_wNVgGXqC7HJIhEb3pYOF7r_eJ74AufZvN5zpVSYqXGheXaGvHoKHSVKwPtQiXPk9L0fuohjpuEnAhUS3Lb5vPd-esjOPpiTawqcKO9H_JQQDdD5SZ14P09S6Cf81LKYl2y5YL2wKCKGxvalV9vDEX2IBun4vJcH7olT90a5jOQgw1qm0ynyID4SrUO-k4QVA1F7IeD-YHM_XKIgHrqrrxYTvDqN519iuhUOBphQ7C5aVbUFceyD5QULqvbDfaNcb5i0LtLOTqn5npaqdQ&__tn__=-R
Other category nominees:
Amy Shark, Love Monster
Camp Cope, How to Socialise & Make Friends
Courtney Barnett, Tell Me How You Really Feel
DMA’S, For Now
Hockey Dad, Blend Inn
Ocean Alley, Chiaroscuro
Polaris, The Mortal Coil
RÜFÜS DU SOL, Solace
Tash Sultana, Flow State
DOUBLE J ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Winner: Gurrumul
Let You Love:: “Gurrumul’s final album Djarimirri (Child Of The Rainbow) brought together the tradition of Yolngu culture and Western classical music, resulting in a rich, nourishing and meditative piece of art.
“Gurrumul, the astounding documentary about his life, career and unique approach to music, culture, stardom and family, was one of the year’s most engrossing films, giving an insightful look inside a culture that is so key to the heart of our country.
“The sadness of Gurrumul’s passing has not abated, but these two dynamic works have helped us know a little more about one of our country’s greatest ever artists.
“Gurrumul wins this year’s Double J Australian Artist of the Year for his bold and unwavering vision in creating something truly unique, immensely beautiful, and unmistakably Australian. We are so lucky to have these gifts he left us.
https://www.facebook.com/doublejradio/posts/10156297015767054
Other category nominees
John Butler Trio
Mojo Juju
Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever
Sampa the Great
UNEARTHED ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Winner: Kwame
Let You Love: “The Sydney rapper got everyone’s attention early on in 2018 with the release of ‘WOW’, an instant hit brimming with bounce, lyrical spark and charisma.
“triple j Unearthed quickly locked him in as the opening act of Splendour in the Grass, and there was no stopping him after that.
“As well as dropping his second EP, Endless Conversations, Kwame flexed it live, touring around the country with Peking Duk, Tkay Maidza and Skepta — not to mention dropping in to the triple j One Night Stand in St Helens.
“How did Kwame celebrate his 21st birthday? On stage at the triple j Unearthed BIGSOUND showcase in Brisbane. “Fittingly, this J Award for Unearthed Artist of the Year is the icing on the cake for Kwame.”
https://www.facebook.com/triplejunearthed/photos/a.218349314893918/2085767661485398/
Other Category Nominees
Angie McMahon
G Flip
Kian
Slowly Slowly
AUSTRALIAN MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Winner: Mojo Juju, “Native Tongue:
Director: Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore
Let You Love: “Raw, vulnerable, and fiercely powerful.
“It’s a striking visual treatment of the title track from Mojo Juju’s most intensely personal album yet, which explores her Wiradjuri and Filipino heritage, and themes of identity, displacement, and belonging.
“Those complex ideas are beautifully rendered in the video, which radiates creativity through the simplest of set-ups.
“Mojo slowly marches towards the camera, a commanding representative giving voice to segments of Australian culture and history that don’t always get the spotlight.
“Shot in a paddock in regional Victoria, ‘Native Tongue’ is a collaboration between Mojo, the Djuki Mala Dancers, The Pasefika Victoria Choir and director Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore, who met Mojo during the making of her documentary Her Sound Her Story.
“The result of this meeting of creative minds is just stunning.”
https://www.facebook.com/rageabc/videos/vb.195235013707/1957563710994914/?type=2&theater
Other category nominees
B Wise “Feel Something”
Director: JÁEN Collective
DZ Deathrays “Like People”
Director: Guss Mallmann
Golden Vessel “Bigbright {Ft. Elkkle, E^st & Duckwrth}’” Director: Harry Deadman
Sampa The Great “Black Girl Magik {Ft. Nicole Gumbe}”
Director: Sanjay De Silva