A collaboration between Indigenous artists Briggs and Trials, from the Yorta Yorta and Ngarrindjeri tribes respectively, AB Original were formed after the two performed at radio station Triple J’s 40-year celebration Beat the Drum.
“January 26” (featuring Dan Sultan) was their first single, and took out 16th spot in this year’s Triple J Hottest 100 (listen to the track here). Their debut album, Reclaim Australia – released last year by SA label Golden Era Records – won Best Release at the SAM Awards, which were presented at the Thebarton Theatre.
AB Original was also named all-round Best Group and Best Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island Artist, as well as scooping the Hip-Hop Award in the People’s Choice Award category. Richard Coburn of Kojo won the award for Best Music Video for his direction of the “January 26” video.
Among the other major award winners was pop singer Tkay Maidza, who was named Best Female Artist and gave a surprise performance to open the awards ceremony with her song “Carry On”.
Tkay Maidza opens the SA Music Awards event. Photo: Lauren Connelly
South Sudanese-born rapper DyspOra won Best Male Artist, Heaps Good Friends won Best New Artist, and the Grace Emily won Best Music Venue.
“It’s fantastic to see AB Original polish off their epic year taking home six more awards honoured in Trials’ home state,” Music SA general manager Lisa Bishop said.
“Upcoming artists such as DyspOra and Heaps Good Friends are leading examples of the new talents coming out of South Australia – it’s great to recognise them and all of these artists and industry members for their contributions to the South Australian music industry.”
DyspOra performs at the awards with Elsy and Prospeks. Photo: Lauren Connelly
The Adelaide UNESCO City of Live Music Award for Best International Collaboration was presented to the House of Songs project, which saw Adelaide musicians Dan Crannitch, Taasha Coates and Kelly Menhennett collaborate with musicians from Austin, Texas, on unfinished songs by the late Albert Brumley.
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The full list of 2017 SA Music Awards winners:
The People’s Choice Awards
Blues/Roots Award – presented by Radio Adelaide
Wanderers
Country Award – presented by Grace Emily Hotel
The Bitter Darlings
Electronic Award – presented by Fresh 92.7
Abbey Howlett
Experimental Award – presented by Ancient World
Timberwolf
Folk Award – presented by Wheatsheaf Hotel
The Winter Gypsy
Heavy Award – presented by Australian Rock & Metal Institute
Ice On Mercury
Hip Hop Award – presented by Northern Sound System
A.B. Original
Jazz/Art Music Award – presented by Elder Conservatorium
Ross McHenry
Pop Award – presented by The Gov
Rachael Leahcar
Punk Award – presented by Crown & Anchor
Young Offenders
Rock Award – presented by Fat Controller
Bad//Dreems
World Music Award – presented by WOMADelaide
Adam Page
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The Peer-Voted Awards
Ryan Freeman Live Music Award
Robert Dunstan
Best International Collaboration – presented by Adelaide UNESCO City of Music
House of Songs project
Lifetime Achievement Award – presented by Music SA
The Governor Hindmarsh Hotel
Best Studio
Chapel Lane Studios
Best Engineer
Tom Barnes
Best Music Festival / Event – presented by moshtix
Porch Sessions
Best Music Venue– presented by AHA (SA)
Grace Emily Hotel
Best Manager
Craig Lock
Best Cover Art
Henry Stentiford – The Bitter Darlings ‘Stuart Highway’
Best Music Video
Richard Coburn – A.B. Original’s ‘January 26’
Best Song – presented by APRA AMCOS
A.B. Original – January 26 feat. Dan Sultan
Best New Artist
Heaps Good Friends
Best Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island Artist
A.B. Original
Best Group
A.B. Original
Best Male Artist
DyspOra
Best Female Artist
Tkay Maidza
Best Release
A.B. Original