SA MUSIC AWARD WINNERS 2015

Tkay Maidza and Timberwolf have walked away as the big winners at the 2015 South Australian Music (SAM) Awards, held on the same night as The Age Music Victoria Awards.

Eclectic brat rapper, Tkay Maidza, was crowned Best Female and her Switch Tape EP was awarded Best Release. Maidza’s track Switch Lanes scored the APRA AMCOS award for Best Song as well as Best Music Video by director and animator Sachio Cook.

The Best Male title was awarded to modern folk bluesman, Timberwolf aka Chris Panousakis, who was also named APRA AMCOS Best Songwriter, taking away a $500 cash prize.

The recipients of the Robert Stigwood fellowship SKIES won Best New Artist following the recent release of their single ‘Call For My Heart’ and their self-titled EP designed by artist Jack Vanzet was awarded Best Cover Art.

Grenadiers, fresh from performing Triple J’s Like A Version, won Best Group and Bad//Dreems took out Best Live Act. Motez scored Best Producer for his EP Vancouver following his international Cross Pollination tour.

The public-voted category for Most Popular Artist saw more than 1500 votes pour in, and metal band Truth Corroded came out on top.

Two unannounced awards were presented on the night. The Fowler’s Live Achievement Award recognised Robert Dunstan, Bside Magazine editor, for his sustained contribution to the local music industry. The Ryan Freeman Live Music Award, created by his family in honour of Ryan Freeman, a live music fan who passed away in 2009, was awarded to soulful alt-country songwriter Kelly Menhennett who also received $4000 to assist her career.

The awards also recognized outstanding industry figures and events. Craig Lock and Ross Osmon from 5/4 Entertainment jointly received Best Manager, WOMADelaide was awarded the Moshtix-sponsored prize for Best Festival/Best Music Event and the iconic Governor Hindmarsh Hotel scored Best Venue.

An after-party hosted by triple j’s Dom Alessio and local musician Max Savage followed the awards and featured music from Afro-beat orchestra Shaolin Afronauts and SKIES.

This year’s event marks Music SA’s inaugural custodianship of the recently rebranded awards.

The night was an incredible success for Music SA, says general manager Lisa Bishop, “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!
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