Sunday Arts Magazine

Founder and Prize Director of The Soundmerch AMP, Scott B. Murphy, said: “This is a VERY strong

list. It’s incredibly diverse and truly captures another year of the WORLD’S best music. I sincerely

thank the Soundmerch AMP team of judges – their donation of time and passion is much greater

than what most people would think.”

In support of the prize, and to ensure The AMP continues to champion new Australian music, locally

respected labels EMI, Virgin and Island have each partnered with The Soundmerch AMP to sponsor this

Shortlist by each label contributing $3,000 cash to form a Shortlist funding pool of $9,000 which will be

used to guarantee that the Shortlisted artists are able to attend the Winner Announcement event in

Melbourne on the 3rd of March.

“Virgin, Island and EMI are proud to play our small part in supporting this stellar line up of artists

and recordings. In one of the toughest years ever faced by the industry this is a list of both

established artists familiar to AMP shortlists and emerging talent putting their hands up for global

recognition – all at the absolute top of their game” said Tim Janes, Managing Director of Virgin Music

Australia.

Danzal Baker aka Baker Boy, said: “Blown away that Gela has been shortlisted for the Aus Music

Prize! There has been so much incredible music and albums released over the last year, it’s crazy

to think Gela is sitting alongside some of the absolute best! Such an honour!’

Kofi Owusu-Ansah aka Genesis Owusu said: “It’s a real pleasure to be considered for the Australian

Music Prize this year. It’s so important to have initiatives like this, that really strive to validate and

strengthen creativity over everything else.”

Emma Donovan & The Putbacks said: “Under These Streets reflected our return to the studio and

realigning as a band coming out of some very dark and tormenting times. We literally ran out the

door from lockdown and jumped deep into the studio to create this album and we are so honoured

that it has been nominated for the Australian Music Prize. This album shows our strength as a

musical unit and our relationship and trust with one another. We are thrilled that music lovers are

tuning in and digging our sounds and songs.”

Martha Marlow said: “In such a challenging time for our industry the Australian Music Prize plays a

hugely important role in identifying and showcasing the depth and breadth of the incredible music

being continually created by so many talented artists despite the many difficulties we have faced in

the last few years. Creating ‘Medicine Man’ has been a challenging journey for me as, pandemic

aside, over the last few years I have learned to live with chronic pain and illness associated with the

onset of an auto-inflammatory disease. My album has been heavily influenced by this journey. I am,

therefore, particularly grateful it has been so well received. So much hard work and care has gone

into the making of ‘Medicine Man’ – I’m humbled by the calibre of the judging panel who took the

time to listen to it and am incredibly grateful it has been shortlisted for this distinguished prize.

Thank you to all the extraordinary musicians involved in the making of this album and thank you to

the AMP and SoundMerch their support. Now more than ever, Australian artists need the

recognition and acknowledgement that this prize brings.”

Hiatus Kaiyote said: “We are thrilled for Mood Valiant to be included as a finalist for AMP!”

Amyl and the Sniffers said: “Thank you very much for including us as nominees this year. Some of

the best artists in the country have won the Australian Music Prize so we are honoured to be

shortlisted.”

Family secrets are revealed in STARDUST + THE MISSION, a spellbinding two-part theatrical performance opening at Chapel Off Chapel from 17 February before a six-month national tour. Featuring two powerful yet forgotten true stories from Australia’s past, audiences will meet two ordinary individuals, whose extraordinary lives still reverberate to this day.

STARDUST is the award-winning story of Col Brain, one of the best jazz musicians of his generation. Thirty years after Col Brain passed away in 1988, his grandson opened his prized wooden dresser which had been tucked away in a garage, discovering a hidden time capsule of his grandfather’s music and memories. That grandson is the much-loved ABC presenter, musician and award-winning storymaker Joel Carnegie.

Acclaimed Gunditjmara actor Tom Molyneux shares the story of Allan McDonald, his great, great uncle and ‘Fighting Gunditjmara’ man from South West Victoria in THE MISSION. Uncle Allan was one of Australia’s first Aboriginal soldiers from Victoria to enlist for World War I. This captivating, rollicking, and at times confronting monologue traces the account of a soldier at war; at home and abroad.

Hope to hear from you soon and please also let me know if you would like tickets to opening night and I can easily sort. The media release for Stardust + The Mission is attached and I can also send through music samples from the performance as well.

Thomas dreamt about being a ballet dancer since he was 3 years old. He joined The Australian Ballet just two years ago, and was thrilled to have his dreams coming true. Then lockdowns came and the company stopped rehearsals to work from home for a year.  In 2021, he came back with force when he danced a solo role in his hometown at the Sydney Opera House for the acclaimed Watermark. His trajectory continues to rise, having been named a TBDA nominee at such a young age.  Thomas says being a ballet boy was not always easy growing up but he encourages young men who love dance to let their true colours show. He wants the next generation to know that it’s ok to go against the grain in your teens, as eventually you too will find their place in the world.

THE AWARDS: The prestigious Telstra Ballet Dancer Awards celebrate the brightest young stars of Australian dance. They are often a critical stepping stone to senior roles at the ballet and a great way to spot the stars of tomorrow. The awards provide an excuse to profile dancers, share their inspiring stories behind these next generation ballet artists, see into the rehearsal room and capture their journeys of dedication and passion to make their dreams a reality. All stories would need to tag the awards.

Rohan talks about the Arts in Melbourne.

Smoky Dawson – A Life is a fully illustrated, 368-page coffee table book that combines Smoky’s own autobiography released 36 years ago with a deeply researched new chapter: an extensive biography that covers the period 1985 almost to the present day, modernising his legendary status and cultural imprint as a true-blue Aussie icon.

 

The book is packed with facts and anecdotes, insights and memories, plus a treasure trove of more than 200 historical and contemporary photographs and illustrations – some never seen before – including artworks by Smoky’s great mate, Pro Hart.

 

It also includes a collection of tributes from famous entertainers such as Jimmy Barnes, his friend and one-time duet partner, who says on the cover: “Smoky never stopped entertaining us until the day he died.”   

 

Smoky, who referred to himself as “the grandaddy of country music”, died in 2008 at the age of 94. He was a genuine 20th century superstar: a singer, recording artist, songwriter, poet, scriptwriter, actor, television performer, horseman, stuntman, knife-thrower, double-headed axe hurler, whip cracker, raconteur, rancher and revered mentor.

 

He was the incomparable showman, a pioneer who became Australia’s very own singing cowboy with his long-running radio serials, The Adventures of Smoky Dawson. And he rode into the hearts of a nation – including almost a million young Deputy Sheriffs in his “Wild West Club” (two of whom were Paul Keating and Jack Thompson) – on his beloved palomino, Flash “The Wonder Horse”.

 

In his autobiography, Smoky chronicled his rise to fame after enduring the trauma of a cruel childhood – and the love he shared for six decades with the rock of his existence, his amazing wife Dot.

 

Now, in this new book, his own words are enhanced by the comprehensive new chapter, The Final Round-Up, which brims with reminiscence and previously unpublished insights into Smoky’s private and professional life, and underscores the love and respect that embraced this unique trailblazer from his peers and the public alike.

 

The author of The Final Round-Up is Glenn T., a playwright, actor and award-winning production designer who was Smoky and Dot’s confidant and loyal companion in their later years. No other writer could hope to match the microscope Glenn has applied to the lives of this extraordinary couple.

 

Royalties will go to two charities: Bear Cottage and the Smoky Dawson Foundation. Smoky and Dot were tireless ambassadors and fundraisers for Bear Cottage, the only hospice in New South Wales for children, which is affiliated with The Children’s Hospital at Westmead and Sydney Children’s Hospital Randwick. The Smoky Dawson Foundation provides grants, awards and scholarships to the music industry, and also assists young people generally, not just in entertainment.

Melbourne Opera is thrilled to present the pinnacle of operatic excellence, indulgence and excess, Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle from 2021-2023.

Continuing with the second of the Ring’s four operas, Die Walküre, the company will stage the following two operas progressively over the next two years, culminating with a multi million dollar performance of Wagner’s full Ring Cycle, in 2023.

Multi award winner Natalie Bassingthwaighte (she/her) stars in the electrifying and inspiring Australian production of JAGGED LITTLE PILL in the lead role of Mary Jane Healy, alongside critically acclaimed film, TV and stage actor and recording artist, Tim Draxl (he/him) as Steve Healy. Making her musical theatre debut, Emily Nkomo (she/her) stars as Frankie Healy, and Queensland Conservatorium of Music graduate Liam Head (he/him) will play Nick Healy.

After originating the lead role of Muriel in Muriel’s Wedding the Musical, and recently performing in the US tour of Dear Evan Hansen Maggie McKenna (they/them) stars as Jo, with emerging stage and theatre performer Grace Miell (she/they) playingBella and Phoenix is played by AYDAN (he/him) who has maintained a strong following after his appearance on The Voice and featured role as Harry in Fangirls.

Joining them will be the stellar ensemble cast Baylie Carson (they/she), Bella Choundary (she/her), Josh Gates (they/he), Matt Hamilton (he/him), Georgina Hopson (she/her), Marie Ikonomou (she/her), Caleb Jago-Ward (he/him), Jerome Javier (he/him), Giorgia Kennedy (she/her), Coby Njoroge (he/him), Noah Mullins (he/him), Isabella Roberts (she/her), Trevor Santos (he/him), Mon Vergara (they/them), Romy Vuksan (she/her) and Imani Williams (she/her).

Tony Award winning Director Diane Paulus said, “We are thrilled to welcome this incredible Australian company to the Jagged Little Pill family, led by the remarkable Natalie and Maggie. It was so special to have members of the Australian cast and creative team working with us on the ground in New York to begin our rehearsal process. I can’t wait for Australian audiences—the first beyond Broadway—to experience Alanis Morrisette’s electrifying music in this story about family and healing.”

Tim Draxl said of his casting, “I was introduced to Alanis Morrisette and Jagged Little Pill when I was a teenager through my older brother, and it truly was the album that took me from my jazz and musical theatre collection into the world of meaningfully written pop music. It was my road trip album of choice back then and now I am excited to be bringing those same songs to life in this important contemporary story with Nat Bass as my co-star and the rest of this incredible cast.”

“Oh my goodness I am beyond excited to be cast in my very first professional musical theatre production and none other than a Tony Award winning Broadway show like Jagged Little Pill! I love the character of Frankie so much. She’s strong, complex, rebellious, and socially aware. I seriously can’t wait to get to embody her whilst performing some of Alanis Morissette’s best songs.”, Said Emily Nkomo.

Liam Head commented, “I’m so excited to be onstage, working with artists that I have watched and admired from the audience for so long. I cannot wait to jump into the rehearsal room and start developing the role of Nick, working off the brilliant cast and creatives around me. The soundtrack is amazing, the Tony award winning script is amazing, the creatives are amazing – It will certainly be a very full, and very rewarding experience.”

“As a non binary, queer human, there are not many roles that I audition for (let alone see on stage) that get to explore gender and sexual queerness. I was drawn to this role because Jo’s journey resonates with me, and I have experienced a lot of what Jo grapples with through the show. The conversations around this role have been incredibly important and needed. We need theatre to be an inclusive, safe and inviting space for everyone. I stand with my trans and GNC sibs and I am proud and honoured to be a part of this community. Our voices are needed in this space right now. We deserve to be seen, heard and represented and I feel very privileged that through this opportunity, I will get to use my voice as I step into the role of Jo in Jagged Little Pill.”, said Maggie McKenna

Freedom is Mine is an extraordinary photographic portrait exhibition of LGBTQIA+ people seeking asylum by Peter Casamento.

The photographic subjects are participants of Queer Refugee and Asylum Seeker Peers. This growing and dynamic community group supported by Many Coloured Sky, the Queer Development Agency. Participants share elements of their stories and highlight the challenges they face in their journey to freedom and the chance to be themselves.

Exhibiting at the new Victorian Pride Centre.

Stephen talks to the Sunday Arts Magazine team about the arts and films in Melbourne and beyond.

Tim Barnett the Director of the Art Hunter show talks to the Sunday Arts team.