Resin Moon shines over NT Song of the Year Awards
Alice Springs-based singer-songwriter and record producer Resin Moon’s Salt had two wins at the NT Song of the Year awards in Darwin on Saturday night.
It took out the prestigious Song of the Year as well as the Electronic/Dance category. Resin Moon is the stage name of Dave Crowe, who also runs a recording studio in Alice Springs. Twenty four hours later, he admitted, “Still in shock….wasn’t expecting this at all but so excited!!”
The awards were held before 200 guests at the Museum and Art Gallery of the NT. This year they received a record 450 entries, from which 40 finalists were chosen from a national judging panel of 50 music executives.
A record 1,300 votes were cast in the People’s Choice award – 300 more than last year – most to Katherine hip hop group KTown and their tune Shadows.
MusicNT Executive Director Mark Smith was gratified with the increased participation in the awards, given that this year also marks the 20th anniversary of MusicNT.
“It’s exciting that after 20 years of music development and initiatives aimed at growing the Territory music scene we are seeing more artists releasing music and greater numbers celebrating the NT music community.
“MusicNT is thrilled to continue to support and celebrate NT songwriters through the NT Song of the Year Awards and extends our congratulations to all the winners.”
MusicNT’s initiatives, including generating collaborations with East and West Coast talents, have seen many NT acts find acceptance outside NT. This year alone, one of 2016’a breakout acts Gawurra, from East Arnhem Land, who sings mostly in his Gupapung language, now lives in Melbourne.
Arnhemland six piece Lonely Boys, who broke out with The Hunter co-written with East Coast drummer / songwriter Nicky Bomba, arecutting their debut album with award winning producer Forrester Savell (Karnivool, The Butterfly Effect).
Darwin’s Tapestry who toured the East Coast in late summer after cracking the iTunes Metal charts, are showcasing at BIGSOUND in Brisbane in September.
Indigenous songwriters and musicians had major triumphs on the night, with wins in the rock, country and pop sections.
The inaugural TourismNT Territory Song Award was won by Darwin’s Ben Evolent. His tune Next Time, which will be used in TourismNT campaigns, also receives $10,000 to fund a music video.
Awards organisers were also pleased to see folk and youth wins emerged from Barkly Desert Culture, a youth diversion program run by Barkly Regional Council.
To celebrate MusicNT’s 20th year a new ‘Hall of Fame Award’ was launched to recognise the efforts of individuals who contribute to the NT music community. The inaugural Award acknowledged one-time Midnight Oil publicist and marketing manager (and former Sunrize Band manager) Denise Officer and educator, administrator and tour manager Bill Searle for their work setting up the original MusicNT (Music Industry Development Inc) in 1996.
WINNER’S LIST
NT Song of the Year: Salt by Resin Moon (Dave Crowe).
People’s Choice: Shadows by Ktown (with help from Indigenous Hip Hop Projects).
Rock: Murray Island by Lonely Boys.
Pop: Mulunda (Kingfisher) by Stanley Gawurra Gaykamangu aka Gawurra.
Folk: Everything Was At Peace by Eleanor Dixon & Beatrice Lewis.
Urban Hip Hop: Ruler by Col Infinity aka Huu Loc Nguyen.
Blues & Roots: Give Thanks by Colin Lillie.
Country: Gurtha (The Fire) by Dhapanbal Yunupingu ft Shellie Morris.
Heavy: Bond by Tapestry.
Electronic/ Dance: Salt by Resin Moon (Dave Crowe).
Tourism Territory Song: Next Time by Ben Evolent aka Joshua Tarca.
Youth: Kulimindini Is My Home by E Town Boyz with Eleanor Dixon.
Hall of Fame: Denise Officer and Bill Searle.
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