Tkay Maidza dominates SA Music Awards

Tkay Maidza was the big winner at last night’s rebranded South Australian Music (SAM) Awards, taking home four trophies. The celebrations were held before 200 at Mercury Cinema.

She took Best Female and Best Release for the Switch Tape EP. Her Switch Lanes scored the APRA AMCOS sponsored Best Song and Best Music Video by director and animator Sachio Cook. The wins came as the rapper heads off for a six-date European tour between November 19 and 26.

Blues folk troubadour Timberwolf aka Chris Panousakis made two trips to the winner’s podium, for Best Male and the $500 APRA AMCOS Best Songwriter category.

SKIES, recipients of the Robert Stigwood fellowship, saw their star rise further, with Best New Artist and Best Cover Art for their Jack Vanzet-designed self-titled EP.

Grenadiers announced that the Best Group was “going straight to the pool room.” They won against Flamingo, Horror My Friend, Shaolin Afronauts and Wasted Wanderers.

In the wake of hard touring this year, Bad//Dreems easily took out Best Live Act from Maidza, Grenadiers, The Funkoars and West Thebarton Brothel Party.

One time Iraqi refugee Motez dedicated his Best Producer award for his EP Vancouver “to anybody who says boat people can’t do.” 

The public-voted Most Popular Artist, which drew 1500 votes, saw metal band Truth Corroded confirm the strength of their following in the home town. “Very humbled with the support we got from our fans,” they responded. 

Two unannounced awards proved popular winners. Peter Darwin, owner of Fowler’s Live club, presented Robert Dunstan (currently Bside Magazine editor) with the Achievement Award for his long time contribution to the SA music industry. 

The Ryan Freeman Live Music Award, set up by the family of the late music fan Ryan Freeman, went to alt-country songwriter Kelly Menhennett who also received $4000 towards her career.

Association of Artist Managers’ Chairperson Greg Carey was on hand to present Craig Lock and Ross Osmon from 5/4 Entertainment with the Best Manager gong.

WOMADelaide took the $20,000 Moshtix sponsored Best Festival/Best Music Event.

The Governor Hindmarsh Hotel aka The Gov’s Best Venue win was an addition to its swag of awards from past music and hospitality events. 

This year’s event marks Music SA’s inaugural custodianship of the awards, previously the Fowler’s Live awards. SA Premier and Arts Minister Jay Weatherill, whose government can take responsibility for much of the current buoyancy of SA’s live and creative scenes, opened the proceedings.

Music SA’s General Manager Lisa Bishop said, “We are so proud to recognise and celebrate the wealth of talent we have in South Australia, and are overwhelmed with how many people joined us for the festivities. We really look forward to making the event even bigger and better in 2016!”

An after-party at Fowler’s Live, estimated to have drawn over 300, kicked long into the night. It was hosted by triple j’s Dom Alessio and local musician Max Savage and featured music from Afro-beat Shaolin Afronauts and SKIES.

2015 SOUTH AUSTRALIAN MUSIC AWARD WINNERS 

BEST RELEASE

Tkay Maidza – Switch Tape

BEST FEMALE

Tkay Maidza – Switch Tape

BEST MALE

Timberwolf - Flux

BEST GROUP

Grenadiers - Summer

BEST SONG

Presented by APRA / AMCOS

Tkay Maidza – Switch Lanes

BEST SONGWRITER

Presented by APRA / AMCOS

Chris Panousakis (Timberwolf)

BEST NEW ARTIST

Skies – Call For My Heart

MOST POPULAR ARTIST

Truth Corroded

BEST LIVE ACT

Bad//Dreems

THE FOWLER’S LIVE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 

Robert Dunstan

THE RYAN FREEMAN LIVE MUSIC AWARD

Kelly Menhennett

BEST MUSIC VIDEO

Sachio Cook for Tkay Maidza ‘Switch Lanes’

BEST MUSIC VENUE

The Governor Hindmarsh Hotel

BEST FESTIVAL / MUSIC EVENT

Presented by Moshtix

WOMADelaide

BEST PRODUCER

Motez – Vancouver

BEST COVER ART

Jack Vanzet – for Skies’ self-titled EP

BEST MANAGER

Presented by Association of Artist Managers

5/4 Entertainment (Craig Lock & Ross Osmon