Cairns rock four-piece The Medics have taken out top honours at the 2012 National Indigenous Music Awards over the past weekend. Described as one of the country’s most exciting youth bands, it’s no suprise that they’ve picked up the New Talent of the Year award along with their debut album Foundations winning Album of the Year and single Griffin claiming Song of the Year.
But, Artist of the Year once again went to the country’s most well-regarded Indigenous musician, Gurrumul Yunupingu, who won it again for the second year in a row. Gurrumul’s collaboration Bayini with Sarah Blasko also claimed Cover Art of the Year, a second NIMA for artist/designer Carlo Santone from Blue King Brown.
Newly formed Arnhem Land band East Journey, who have been guided by the legendary Mandawuy Yunupingu from Yothu Yindi, took out two highly contested awards. The NT Film Clip of the Year for Ngarrpiya, which was filmed around their home country in Yirrkala. East Journey also picked up the prestigous G.R. Bururrawanga Memorial Award for outstanding contribution to the NT music industry, which was proudly presented to the band on the night by Mandawuy Yunupingnu.
Recognising a lifetime of achievement in the music industry, the 2012 NIMA Hall of Fame honoured the great Jimmy Little, who was posthumously awarded for his pioneering work as an Indigenous and country music star. Legendary Arnhem Land rock stars Sunrize Band and ever popular NT act Lajamanu Teenage Band were also inducted into the NIMA Hall of Fame.
View the full list on NIMA award winners below:
NIMA 2012 Winners
New Talent of the Year
The Medics
Song of the Year
Griffin – The Medics
Album of the Year
The Medics – Foundations
Artist of the Year
Gurrumul Yunupingu
Hall of Fame
Dr James Oswald ‘Jimmy’ Little
Sunrize Band
Lajamanu Teenage Band
NT Film Clip of the Year
Ngarrpiya – East Journey (Director/Producer: Naina Sen + Susan Marawili)
G.R. Bururrawanga Memorial Award
East Journey
NT Cover Art of the Year
Bayini – Gurrumul Yunupingu & Sarah Blasko (Artist/Designer: Carlo Santone)
Traditional Music Award of the Year
Song Peoples Sessions
Shellie Morris and the Borroloola Songwomen – Ngambala Wiji Li-Wunungu
Warren H Williams and the Warumungu Songmen – Winanjjara
NT School Band of the Year
NEAL Boys – Yirrkala CEC
