Ricki-Lee Coulter performs at The Beresford Hotel, Surry Hills, Sydney

Famous Australian singer / song writer, TV presenter and all round celebrity, Ricki-Lee, performed to a packed Beresford Hotel at Surry Hills earlier tonight.

Lee sounded and looked really good.

Her new single is 'Do It Like That'.

Official Biography

Ricki-Lee was born on November 11th 1985 in Australia. After a brief forage into an athletic lifestyle; Ricki-Lee was forced to find a new passion after a leg injury. Shortly thereafter, her mother discovered that Ricki-Lee had a phenomenal voice, and from the age of fifteen, she was a participant in musical theatre, performing in productions of Hair, Cats, Rent, Miss Saigon, and many more. In 2004, Ricki-Lee auditioned for the second season of Channel Ten's Australian Idol, a spin off of the Idol franchise. Ricki-Lee's immense stage presence as well as talent propelled her all the way to the final twelve contestants. Ricki-Lee was one of the judge favorites, as well as a fan favorite, however was unexpectedly voted out of the competition the week of the final seven. Ricki-Lee was expected to sign with Sony BMG, which signs most of the Idol finalists, however instead, she signed with Australia's largest independent record company, Shock Records. She recorded her debut album "Ricki-Lee" in Melbourne, Australia, and the final lineup included big names like Audius Mtawarria, and Israel. The first single from "Ricki-Lee" was "Hell No!", which debuted on the ARIA charts at #5, and spent three weeks in the top ten. "Hell No!" stayed in the top 40 for nearly three months, and eventually was certified Gold. Her second single, "Sunshine", was also certified Gold after debuting at #8 on the ARIA charts. Her third single from the same album, "Breathe", a beautiful ballad, eventually went to #14 on the ARIA charts. The album itself debuted at a modest #30. Following the strong success of her solo career, Ricki-Lee reunited with three other Australian Idol ladies, Paulini, Kate DeAraugo, and Emily Williams, in early 2006. Together, the four ladies created the "Young Divas", which was merely a promotional tool for the four ladies through Sony BMG, however following the success of their #2 single, "This Time I Know It's For Real', which eventually was certified Platinum, the ladies embarked on a three month tour around Australia, causing Ricki-Lee to postpone her wedding. As the "Young Divas", the ladies released a second single, a cover of Lonnie Gordon's "This Time I Know It's For Real". The single debuted at #14, and eventually rose to #9, and was certified Gold. After the strong reception of their second single, the four ladies decided to record a full-length album. The album was a monumental success, debuting at #4, and eventually being certified Double-Platinum. A third single was released, "Searchin'", however the single only hit #40 on the ARIA charts. In April 2007, after a difficult period of personal debate, Ricki-Lee decided she was going to leave the Young Divas, in order to continue pursuing her solo career. She immediately went back into the studio to work on her second solo album. The first single off that album was "Can't Touch It", Coulter's biggest success to date, debuting at #2, and eventually certified gold. She released her second solo album, "Brand New Day", on August 11th 2007. The album debuted at #37. Her second single, "Love Is All Around", debuted at #5 on the ARIA charts and was also eventually certified Gold. Her third single off her second album, "Can't Sing A Different Song", will be released to radio February 2008. She is also signed, as of late 2007, to Japan's music label "Pony Canyon", and Europe's "Ministry Of Sound".

Websites

Ricki-Lee Coulter official website
www.ricki-lee.com 

The Beresford Hotel
www.merivale.com.au/theberesfordhotel 

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr
www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography 

Eva Rinaldi Photography
www.evarinaldi.com 

Music News Australia
www.musicnewsaustralia.com 

Sydney Film Festival, 6-17 June, announces full list of Festival Guests

The 59th Sydney Film Festival is proud to announce the full line up of Australian and International guests attending this year’s event. This prestigious list includes over 150 filmmakers from 22 countries, who have won over 45 International awards between them, including four Academy Awards®, four Sundance Awards® and three Logie Awards®.

“We are really excited to have so many distinguished guests attending Sydney Film Festival this year,” said SFF Festival Director, Nashen Moodley. “The Festival provides an opportunity for the public to interact with both new and established filmmakers through a series of Q&As and talks at several venues, while giving our international guests a chance to interact with the Australian film industry and experience the hospitality of this beautiful city.”

This year’s SFF guests will attend over 75 screenings and give 85 talks and Q&As, which will take place at the Apple Store, Festival Hub @ Lower Town Hall and post-screening across all venues.

Highlights include:
Billy Connolly will be at the Sydney Film Festival to introduce the Australian premiere of Disney•Pixar’s Brave, an epic fantasy adventure, on Monday 11 June at 6.30pm, at Event Cinemas George Street (red carpet arrivals from 6pm).

Sarah Snook and Ryan Corr will attend the World Premiere SFF Opening Night film Not Suitable for Children together with the director of this Australian romantic comedy, Peter Templeman, producer Jodi Matterson and screenwriter Michael Lucas, at the State Theatre on Wednesday June 6 at 7.30pm.

Deborah Mailman and Jimi Bani will accompany filmmaker Rachel Perkins, producers Darren Dale and Miranda Dear as well as the real-life protagonists from this historic turning point in Australia’s relationship with its Indigenous peoples, for the World Premiere of Mabo on Thursday 7 June at 8.35pm, at the State Theatre.


Director Colin Trevorrow will attend the Australian Premiere of SFF Closing Night film, the sci-fi comedy Safety Not Guaranteed at the State Theatre on Sunday June 17 at 8.00 pm.
Bryan Brown and David Stratton will be presenting the Ian McPherson Memorial Lecture. They will be in conversation about movies and moviemaking at Event Cinemas, George St, on 11 June at 2pm (free).
Fabrizio Maltese, the renowned European photographer known for his film-related work will grace the Sydney Film Festival in 2012. Fabrizio’s exhibition, Role/Play, is on exclusively at the SFF Festival Hub. The Italian-born photographer’s work has been published in Elle, The Hollywood Reporter, StudioCinéLive, Cinéaste, Männer, Winq, Style, Grazia and De Filmkrant amongst others.
Official Competition Jury:
Australian filmmaker and actor Rachel Ward is Jury President for the 2012 Official Competition. This year’s jury also features award-winning filmmakers Amiel Courtin-Wilson (Australia), Mahamat-Saleh Haroun (Chad), Variety critic Boyd van Hoeij (The Netherlands) and acclaimed producer Lorna Tee (Malaysia, Hong Kong).

In her former life as an actress, Rachel Ward was the recipient of several international drama awards and three Golden Globe nominations. She has starred in a number of major international films, but is probably most well known for her role in the TV mini-series, The Thorn Birds. Today Rachel focuses on writing and directing. Her first feature, Beautiful Kate (2009) premiered in the Sydney Film Festival’s Official Competition, and won an IF Award for Cinematography.

Australian writer/director, Amiel Courtin-Wilson has 15 short and 3 documentary credits. His debut documentary, Chasing Buddha premiered at Sundance in 2000, and won Best Documentary at the Dendy Awards and the IF Awards. Wilson’s feature film HAIL (SFF 2011) was selected for the Venice Film Festival 2011. It will also have an Australian theatrical release later this year.

Mahamat-Saleh Haroun has written and directed shorts, documentaries and feature films, several of which been honoured at Venice and Cannes: Bye-Bye Africa (1999) won Best First Film at Venice, Daratt (2006) won the Special Jury Prize at Venice and A Screaming Man (2010) won the Jury Prize at Cannes. Haroun was himself a member of the Festival de Cannes Jury in 2011.

Boyd van Hoeij is a film critic for the US trade paper Variety and a freelance film writer, regularly contributing to Indiewire, Cineuropa and Dutch film monthly Filmkrant, and is the film editor of Dutch magazine Winq and its English-language twin, Mate. He also teaches short courses in film reviewing for aspiring critics at festivals around the world.

The producer Lorna Tee is a well-known personality in the Asian film scene. She is the new Festival Director of The International Film Festival of Malaysia and also works with leading production company October Pictures (Hong Kong) while managing her own production company Paperheart (Malaysia). Her producing credits include My Beautiful Washing Machine, The Shoe Fairy, Rain Dogs, Crazy Stone, My Mother is a Bellydancer, At the End of Daybreak, Lover’s Discourse, Come Rain, Come Shine and Postcards from the Zoo (SFF 2012).


Official Competition Guests:
Director Cate Shortland will present the Australian Premiere of her feature film Lore. Her previous work includes the acclaimed Somersault (SFF 2004) which premiered at Cannes and won several AFI and IF Awards. Also present will be the producers of Lore, Paul Welsh (UK) and Liz Watts (AUS). Liz is also one of the producers of Dead Europe and has previously produced stellar offerings such as Animal Kingdom (2010) and Little Fish (2005).

Philippe Falardeau follows up his three prior award-winning features with Monsieur Lazhar, a drama which received an Academy Award® nomination for Best Foreign Language Film of the Year.

Tony Krawitz, most noted for his short feature film Jewboy (SFF 2005) which premiered at Cannes and won three AFI Awards and the acclaimed documentary The Tall Man (2011), will present his latest feature Dead Europe, a feature film adaptation of Christos Tsiolkas's novel of the same name. The producers of the film, Academy Award Winner Emile Sherman and Liz Watts will also be at the festival.

Brazilian Kleber Mendonça Filho will present the Australian premiere of his first fiction feature film, Neighbouring Sounds. Over the last decade, his short films The Little Cotton Girl (2003), Green Vinyl (2004), Eletrodoméstica (2005), Friday Night Saturday Morning (2006) and Cold Tropics (2009) have won over 100 awards in Brazil and abroad.

Director and screenwriter Miguel Gomes will be in Sydney for the Australian premiere of his third feature film, the lyrical and expressionistic Tabu. His 2008 feature Our Beloved Month of August screened in the Directors’ Fortnight at the Festival de Cannes, and was subsequently selected for more than 40 international festivals in which it won over a dozen prizes.

Yuen Sang-ho will be in Sydney to present his first feature, which also appeared at the Directors’ Fortnight at Cannes, The King of Pigs. The South Korean director will showcase his daring, disturbing and violent animated film about bullying, social status and class difference. Following its screening at the Busan International Film Festival it was hailed as marking a brave new direction for Korean animation.
Feature Film Guests:

Mohammad Rasoulof was arrested in 2010 in Iran; charged with ‘hostile actions and waging propaganda against the Islamic Republic of Iran,’ and was sentenced to six years in prison. Released on parole while waiting for the verdict of his appeal, he shot the film Goodbye (bé omid é didar) in semi-underground conditions. He will be here to present this film, which he wrote, produced and directed, and which won the prize for Best Director in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival 2011.
The Australian production Being Venice, will have its World Premiere here at SFF 2012 and will be graced by director Miro Bilbrough, producers Michael Wrenn and Karen Radzyner, and stars Alice McConnell and Garry McDonald.

From South Africa, Oliver Hermanus, director of Beauty, will be here to present this film, the first Afrikaans-language motion picture ever to screen at Cannes.

To present Maori Boy Genius are director, Pietra Brettkelly and the subject of this fascinating documentary, Ngaa Rauuira Puumanawawhiti.


US Director Richard Bates Jr. created the short Excision in 2008, which went on to win 24 awards and to screen at nearly 50 festivals worldwide. Together with producer Dylan Lewis, he presents at SFF 2012, the feature film version, Excision.

Thai director Pen-ek Ratanaruang will be in Sydney to present his new feature Headshot. He is considered one of the handful of directors who have helped to reinvent the Thai film industry and has pioneered the trend of looking back at retro Thai pop culture for inspiration.

Lian Lunson the Australian director of Sing Me The Songs That Say I Love You: A Concert for Kate McGarrigle is returning home to present her new concert documentary. Lunson previously produced numerous music videos and commercials working with Dwight Yoakam, Neil Young, Pearl Jam and U2. In 2006 Lunson directed the documentary Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Man which went on to become one of the top ten grossing documentaries world-wide that year.

French director and actress Maïwenn will present her latest film Polisse which won the Jury Prize at the 2011 Cannes Film festival. This follows on from her 2006 feature, the semi-autobiographical Pardonnez-moi.
Australian husband and wife team Unjoo Moon and Dion Beebe will attend the Australian premiere of their film, The Zen of Bennett. Former ABC journalist Unjoo Moon directed the Tony Bennett documentary, while Academy Award winning cinematographer (Memoirs of a Geisha) Dion Beebe is responsible for the footage behind this musical and philosophical exploration of Bennett’s craft.

Other SFF 2012 festival guests who will be here to present their films are:
Cambodian-French director Davy Chou will support his first feature-length film, the documentary Golden Slumbers, which chronicles the glory years of the Cambodian film industry in the ’60s and ’70s before it was brutally wiped out by the Khmer Rouge. Chou is the founder of Kon Khmer Koun Khmer, an arts group for young Cambodians.

Up-and-coming Dutch director Sacha Polak brings her debut feature Hemel to SFF. The acclaimed film about a troubled young woman’s search for love in her sexual escapades won the FIPRESCI Prize at the Berlinale.

Stephen Maing, an award-winning Korean-American filmmaker based in New York, will be on hand for SFF’s screening of his documentary High Tech, Low Life, which follows the courageous bloggers who are pitted against the “Great Firewall of China.” Stephen’s attendance is made possible by the Australian International Documentary Conference (AIDC).

British theatre and television director Barnaby Southcombe will present his feature-film debut I, Anna along with producer Christopher Simon. The film, a noir-influenced adaptation of Elsa Lewin’s 1984 mystery novel of the same name, stars Southcombe’s mother, Charlotte Rampling, along with Gabriel Byrne.
Veteran Indian documentarian Anand Patwardhan will be a guest for the screening of his award-winning film Jai Bhim Comrade in SFF’s Focus on India section. The film is an epic study, 14 years in the making, of the 1997 police killing of unarmed Dalit (‘untouchable’) protesters in Mumbai.

Writer-director Aurora Guerrero, who was named one of Filmmaker magazine’s ‘25 New Faces of Independent Film’, will appear at SFF’s screening of her feature debut, the East LA-set coming-of-age


drama Mosquita y Mari. The film is one of one of eight titles from indigenous filmmakers presented in collaboration with programming partner Blackfella Films.

London-based Welsh-Egyptian filmmaker Sally El Hosaini will visit SFF with her acclaimed debut feature My Brother the Devil, which tells the story of the love and tension between two brothers coping with life on the mean streets of Hackney. The film won the Europa Cinema Label Award for Best European Film at the Berlinale and also won Best Cinematrography (World Dramatic) at Sundance.

Veteran New Zealand filmmaker Costa Botes, onetime collaborator with Peter Jackson and director of the acclaimed documentaries on the making of The Lord of the Rings, will be present for the screening of his film The Last Dogs of Winter. The film, which premiered at Toronto, covers the efforts of an eccentric breeder and activist to save the rare Canadian Eskimo Dog in frozen Churchill, Manitoba, with the help of maverick New Zealand TV star Caleb Ross (The Tribe).

Indian independent filmmaker and writer Musa Syeed will introduce his first narrative feature, Valley of Saints. The film, which combines drama, romance, environmentalist overtones and commentary on war, is was shot on location on Lake Dal in India’s Kashmir region. It won the World Cinema Audience Award as well as the Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Award at Sundance.

FOXTEL Australian Documentary Guests:

Filmmakers of Australian documentaries will introduce and participate in Q&As. They include:
Croker Island Exodus – Director, Screenwriter: Steven McGregor | Producers: Anna Grieve, Danielle MacLean | Actors: Alice Briston, Netta Cahill, Jessie Lyons
Steven McGregor is an Indigenous writer/director from Darwin and a graduate of AFTRS. His films include My Brother Vinnie, 5 Seasons, In a League of Their Own and Cold Turkey.
Coniston Masssacre – Directors: Francis Jupurrurla Kelly, David Batty | Producer: Jeni McMahon | Actors: Jack Cook, Elijah Jones, Fiona Kitson

Directors Francis Jupurrurla Kelly and David Batty (Bush Mechanics) re-ignite their unique filmmaking collaboration that began over 25 years ago in the early days of Warlpiri Media Association and CAAMA.
Despite the Gods – Director: Penny Vozniak

Penny Vozniak shoots and directs documentary films and music videos. She is currently working on two documentary projects. Despite the Gods is her feature-length debut.
Dr. Sarmast’s Music School – Director: Polly Watkins | Producer: Beth Frey | Protagonist: Dr Ahmad Sarmast

Polly Watkins has directed short films and documentaries including Swimming in the Backyard, Vietnam Nurses, Liquid Stone – Unlocking Gaudi’s Secrets. She also produced Rollerboy (a finalist in last year’s FOXTEL Awards).


Killing Anna – Director, Producer: Paul Gallasch
Paul Gallasch grew up in Adelaide and briefly studied anthropology before completing a course in documentary filmmaking at the New York Film Academy.
Missing in the Land of the Gods – Director: Davor Drilic | Producer: Liz Burke
Davor Dirlic graduated from Zagreb School for Film and TV, Croatia, and moved to Melbourne in 1989.

His work includes the films: Shooting Blanks, Passport to Parenthood and the TV series Do Not Resuscitate.
Paramedico – Director: Ben Gilmour | Producer: Alison Croft

Benjamin Gilmour’s first feature was Son of a Lion (SFF 2007). The making of the film was the subject of his books Warrior Poets: Guns, Movie-Making and the Wild West of Pakistan (2008).
Utopia – Director, Screenwriter: Bruce Petty | Producer: Jenny Day

Bruce Petty won an Oscar® for his animated film Leisure in 1976. He has made a number of other award-winning films including Global Haywire, which screened at SFF 2007.

Dendy Awards Finalists:
Finalist filmmakers for this year’s Dendy Awards for Australian Short Films will also attend the Festival.

They include:
B I N O – Director: Billie Pleffer | Producer: Rita Walsh
Dance Me to the End of Love – Director: Martha Goddard| Screenwriter: Oliver Torr
Dave’s Dead - Director: Alethea Jones| Producer: Julian Vincent Costanzo | Screenwriter: Luke Ryan
Dumpy Goes to the Big Smoke – Director: Mirrah Foulkes | Producer: Michael Cody
Julian – Director: Matthew Moore| Producer: Robert Jago
Rippled – Director: Darcy Prendergast | Producer: Nicky Pastore
The Hunter – Director: Marieka Walsh| Producer: Donna Chang
The Wilding – Director: Grant Scicluna| Producer: Jannine Barnes | Actor: Luke Mullins
Yardbird – Director: Michael Spiccia| Producer: Jessica Mitchell | Screenwriter: Julius Avery
Short Film Guests:
Black Buster – Director: Sio F. Tusa | Producer: Andrew Arbuthnot
Burning Hearts – Director: James McFay
Cryo – Producer: Drew Bailey
Easy Come, Easy Go – Director: Peter Clifton


Easy Come, Easy Go – Director: Peter Clifton
Letter Tape – Producer: Mitzi Goldman
Perished – Director: Aaron McCann | Producer: Stefan Androv Radanovich
She.Say – Director: Leah Purcell
Snow in Paradise – Director: Nikki Si'ulepa | Executive Producer: Ngaire Fuata | Editor: Debbie Mathews
Rauch Und Speigel – Director: Nick Moore

ABOUT SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL

Sydney Film Festival screens feature films, documentaries, short films and animations across the city at the State Theatre, Event Cinemas George Street, Dendy Opera Quays and the Art Gallery of NSW. The festival is a major event on the New South Wales cultural calendar and is one of the world’s longest-running film festivals.

For more information visit http://www.sff.org.au
The 59th Sydney Film Festival is supported by the NSW Government through Arts NSW, the Federal Government through Screen Australia, and the City of Sydney. The festival’s Strategic partner is the NSW Government through Destination NSW.

What: Sydney Film Festival
When: 6-17 June, 2012
Tickets & Info: 1300 733 733 www.sff.org.au

MADMAN BAGS BIG NAME DIRECTORS AT CANNES

Melbourne, Tuesday 29 May – The Madman acquisitions team has returned from the 2012 Cannes Film Festival with deals signed on a wide ranging selection of award-winning and director-driven films from names like Robert Redford, Michel Gondry, Thomas Vinterberg and Michael Winterbottom.

Following on from yesterday’s awards announcement, two titles acquired by Madman have been recognised. Thomas Vinterberg, known for starting the ‘Dogme 95’ filmmaking movement, returns with THE HUNT which features Danish star Mads Mikkelsen. Mads was recognised with the Best Actor Award for his performance.

The award for Best Screenplay went to Christian Mungiu for his film BEYOND THE HILLS. Mungiu is no stranger to Cannes, having won the 2007 Palme D’Or with 4 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS, 2 DAYS.
Also acquired at Cannes were Im Sang Soo’s THE TASTE OF MONEY and THE WE AND THE I from visual genius Michel Gondry (ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND, BE KIND REWIND), which screened as part of the Director’s Fortnight sidebar.

Several films currently in the final stages of completion were also acquired at this year’s market in Cannes; Robert Redford directs himself alongside an ensemble cast including Shia LaBeuof, Susan Sarandon, Stanley Tucci, Richard Jenkins, Brit Marling and Nick Nolte in THE COMPANY YOU KEEP.

The next project from prolific and dynamic filmmaker Michael Winterbottom again sees him teaming up with Steve Coogan for THE KING OF SOHO, a look at the man at the head of swinging London. Academy Award® winner Susanne Bier’s new film LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED is a romantic comedy set in Sorrento, Italy starring Pierce Brosnan opposite Paprika Steen.

Also acquired was the sophomore feature from British up and comer Richard Ayoade, following on from last year’s SUBMARINE. His new film will be titled THE DOUBLE, starring Jesse Eisenberg and Mia Wasikowska, with production having commenced earlier this month.

Andrew Wishart announces national tour

X Factor sentimental favourite and runner up Andrew Wishart is excited to announce a national tour, kicking off July 14 in Adelaide.

Andrew has been performing live in his home state Victoria for many years.  Announcing a national tour is a dream for Andrew who released his debut album Its Never Too Late on May 4.  The independent self-funded album release marks a huge milestone for the father of 4 who is determined to make his dreams of performing music for a living a reality after his success on 2011’s X Factor TV series.

On the tour, Andrew says “Since X Factor I have received countless requests to release music and to tour from Cairns to Broken Hill and beyond.  I am thrilled I am now doing all these things and look forward to sharing my music with people LIVE around the country.”

The album features the track ‘This Much I Know‘ which was written for Andrew to perform at the Grand Finale of X Factor and is at radio now.  A second single penned by Andrew will go to radio prior to an independent EP being released later this year.

During the live shows, Andrew will treat his audiences to his personal beautiful interpretations of some of his favourite songs  - some of which he performed on X Factor including Adele’s Someone Like You, U2’s With or Without You and Queen’s I Want to Breakfree.   Audiences will also enjoy some surprises including a sneak peak of some of Andrew’s original tracks.   Andrew has the most incredible voice – one that fills a room and leaves audiences wanting more.

Andrew plans to tour for the remainder of the year in both metropolitan and country areas, with more dates being locked in regularly – visit www.andrewwishartmusic.com.au for up to date information on venues and ticketing.

Dates confirmed so far include:

Thursday 19 July Melbourne Northcote Social Cub VIC
Saturday 21 July Bairnsdale Bairnsdale RSL VIC
Friday 03 August Cairns Reef Casino QLD
Saturday 04 August Cairns Reef Casino QLD
Thursday 09 August Sydney Blue Beat NSW
Friday 10 August Rooty Hill Rooty Hill RSL NSW
Saturday 11 August Shoalhaven Shoalhaven Ent. Centre NSW
Friday 17 August Hornsby Hornsby RSL NSW
Saturday 18 August Forster Club Forster NSW
Sunday 19 August Newcastle Lizotte’s NSW
Friday 24 August Gold Coast Royal Pines QLD
Thursday 30 August Central Coast Lizotte’s NSW
Friday 31 August Maroubra Souths Juniors NSW
Saturday 01 September Blacktown Blacktown RSL NSW
Friday 07 September Hobart Wrestpoint TAS

Rupert Murdoch 1969

Rupert Murdoch 1969, a set on Flickr.

APRA MUSIC AWARDS PRESENTERS AND PERFORMERS ANNOUNCED

APRA Music Awards; Sydney, Australia

Winners...

WINNERS FOR THE 2012 APRA MUSIC AWARDS ANNOUNCED

Wally De Backer Scores APRA’s Songwriting Trifecta!!!

World-beating songwriter Wally De Backer (aka Gotye) has tonight added to his accolades by taking out three APRA Music Awards, including the coveted, peer-voted APRA Song of the Year.

APRA (Australasian Performing Right Association) is proud to reveal the winners of the 2012 APRA Music Awards, announced this evening during a red carpet event at the Parkside Ballroom, Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre. Hosted by Jonathan Biggins and Missy Higgins, the awards have celebrated composers and songwriters across 12 categories who have achieved excellence in their craft over the last year.

At tonight’s 30th anniversary event for the APRA Music Awards, Wally De Backer (and Luiz Bonfa’s) global smash hit Somebody That I Used To Know walked away with the top prize (APRA Song of the Year) and has also won the category of Most Played Australian Work. The APRA Board of Writer and Publisher Directors has also rewarded Wally De Backer with the crown of Songwriter of the Year. This caps off a staggering year for Wally De Backer. His haunting break-up ode, Somebody That I Used To Know (from the album Making Mirrors) featuring a sample from Luiz Bonfa’s classic song Seville, has become a chart-topping hit in 11 countries around the world. It was number one for eight weeks on the Australian singles chart and recently hit the coveted number-one spot on the American Billboard chart – a feat not achieved by an Australian artist since Savage Garden in 2000. It still sits atop the US Billboard chart, now for the 6th consecutive week. The single also won triple j’s Hottest 100 in 2011, took out Single of the Year, Best Pop Release and Best Video, with Gotye himself winning Best Male Artist and Producer of the Year at the 2011 ARIA Awards. The statistics on this song (and its accompanying video clip) grow daily, but what we’ve witnessed is a songwriter at the top of his game. Part fanatical recording boffin, part pop genius, Wally De Backer is the APRA 2012 Songwriter of the Year.

The APRA Board of Directors have named Killian Gavin, Jonathon Hart, Timothy Hart, David Hosking and Jacob Tarasenko (Boy & Bear) the Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year for their songwriting achievements on the debut album Moonfire. The phenomenal success of their 2010 EP, With Emperor Antarctica, transformed the Sydney quintet from promising newcomers to bonafide international sensations, helping them land two songs in triple j's 2010 Hottest 100. With all these accolades Boy & Bear found themselves perfectly placed to take things to the next level for their first full-length effort Moonfire. The first single Feeding Line led the way and saw Boy & Bear shift effortlessly into darker, deeper moods, melding huge atmospheres with sonic adventurousness. “Honesty resonates,” says lead vocalist David Hosking. “And I think that if it resonates with you as a writer, then it is going to resonate with the listener as well. I think that just happens naturally.”

Shane Nicholson, one of Australia’s most prolific songwriters, has taken out the Country Work of the Year category with Famous Last Words Music critics have been unanimous in their praise of Shane Nicholson and have delivered high praise for the lyrical depth of Shane’s songs and the extent of his honest and emotional vocal delivery.

The Blues & Roots Work of the Year has gone to first-time APRA nominees Busby Marou for the emotive Biding My Time from the band’s debut self-titled album. Hailing from Rockhampton, the duo of Tom Busby and Jeremy Marou last year won the Deadly Award for ‘Most Promising New Talent in Music’. The duo are a rare musical talent with a distinctly Australian way of sharing stories has developed into a unique song writing flavour - roots tinged with cracking harmonies, breathtaking musicianship and a natural feel for each others guitars.

The Potbelleez (David Green, Ilan Kidron, Marisa Lock and Jonathan Murphy) along with co-writer Justin Shave has received the APRA Award in the category of Dance Work of the Year for From The Music, a song which reached number one on the ARIA Australian Singles chart, made it into the Top 100 Singles chart of 2011 and has achieved Platinum sales in Australia.

Marvin Priest, the son of reggae royalty Maxi Priest has taken out the category of Urban Work of the Year, along with co-writers Antonio Egizii and David Musumeci for Own This Club, Priest’s official debut solo single and collaboration with Sydney-based hit makers, DNA Songs. Own This Club peaked at #6 on the ARIA chart and stayed in the top 10 for 10 weeks with over 250,000 downloads.

Rock Work of the Year has gone to Birds of Tokyo for Wild at Heart, the third single from the band’s self-titled album. Featuring uplifting guitar riffs within dark and driving introspective rock lyrics, the single achieved Gold status and was voted number 47 in triple j’s Hottest 100 of 2010. More recently, in 2012 the band has been recording its new album in LA.

It is the second-highest-selling single in Australian history, and now the irresistibly catchy Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO (written by LMFAO members Skyler Gordy and Stefan Gordy along with co-writers David LIstenbee and Peter Schroeder) has won International Work of the Year. Heard in clubs and at parties all over the planet, the song has been number one on music charts around the globe including Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.

AC / DC has won the APRA Award for Most Played Australian Work Overseas for the rock n’ roll classic Highway to Hell, written by Bon Scott and the 2010 APRA Songwriters of the Year Angus and Malcolm Young The song was released way back in 1979, but continues to prove that old is gold.

Widely respected talent agent Mary Lopez was presented with the 2012 Ted Albert Award For Outstanding Services to Australian Music.

Mary’s flair for capturing the spirit of Australia through themed productions, huge cast variety spectaculars and ceremonial events is legendary.

With her unique talent for bringing together a dazzling range of musical and dramatic performers, Mary is committed to helping young people be the best they can be.

Subscription television partner MAX will broadcast an exclusive APRA Music Awards special on MAX on TUESDAY 12TH JUNE at 8.00PM along with an encore presentation at 10.30am on THURSDAY JUNE 14TH. Featuring exclusive interviews from the red carpet and backstage, as well as a wrap up of all the award winners, this is a special broadcast not to be missed! MAX is available on FOXTEL and AUSTAR.

The 2012 APRA Music Awards were hosted by Jonathan Biggins and Missy Higgins, and featured performances by Tina Arena with Tex Perkins (performing their rendition of APRA Song of the Year Somebody That I Used To Know), Kate Miller-Heidke (who performed The Beards You Should Consider Having Sex With a Bearded Man) , Bob Evans (who performed I Started a Joke by the Bee Gees), Kram (who performed Lanie Lane’s Oh Well, That’s What You Get For Falling in Love With a Cowboy), PVT who performed The Real Thing with Russell Morris ,Bertie Blackman (who performed Matt Corby’s Brother) Sophia Brous (who performed Kimbra’s Cameo) and special guest presenters Yusuf Islam, NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell, Imogen Heap, Felicity Urquhart and Philip Mortlock.

APRA sends hearty congratulations to all the winners for the 2012 awards.

2012 APRA MUSIC AWARDS
Monday 28th May
Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre
Hosted by Jonathan Biggins and Missy Higgins


WINNERS FOR THE 2012 APRA MUSIC AWARDS

Song of the Year
Title: Somebody That I Used To Know
Artist: Gotye feat Kimbra
Writers: Wally de Backer* / Luiz Bonfa (ASCAP)^
Publishers: J Albert and Son Pty Ltd* / Warner/Chappell Music Australia Pty Ltd

Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year
Writers: Killian Gavin / Jonathon Hart / Timothy Hart / David Hosking / Jacob Tarasenko (Boy and Bear)
Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing Australia Pty Ltd

Songwriter of the Year
Wally De Backer
Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music
Mary Lopez

Most Played Australian Work
Title: Somebody That I Used To Know
Artist: Gotye feat Kimbra
Writers: Wally de Backer* / Luiz Bonfa (ASCAP)^
Publishers: J Albert and Son Pty Ltd* / Warner/Chappell Music Australia Pty Ltd^

Country Work of the Year
Title: Famous Last Words
Artist: Shane Nicholson
Writer: Shane Nicholson
Publisher: Mushroom Music Pty Ltd

Blues & Roots Work of the Year
Title: Biding My Time
Artist: Busby Marou
Writers: Thomas Busby / Jeremy Marou
Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing Australia Pty Ltd

Dance Work of the Year
Title: From The Music
Artist: The Potbelleez
Writers: David Greene* / Ilan Kidron* / Marisa Lock^ / Jonathan Murphy* / Justin Shave^
Publishers: Universal Music Publishing Pty Ltd obo MCDJ Music* / Universal Music Publishing Pty Ltd^

Rock Work of the Year
Title: Wild At Heart
Artist: Birds of Tokyo
Writers: Anthony Jackson / Ian Kenny / Adam Spark / Adam Weston
Publisher: Mushroom Music Pty Ltd

Urban Work of the Year
Title: Own This Club
Artist: Marvin Priest
Writers: Antonio Egizii* / David Musumeci* / Marvin Priest^
Publishers: EMI Music Publishing Australia Pty Ltd* / Universal Music Publishing Pty Ltd

Most Played Australian Work Overseas
Title: Highway To Hell
Artist: AC/DC
Writers: Angus Young / Malcolm Young / Bon Scott
Publisher : J Albert and Son Pty Ltd

International Work of the Year
Title: Party Rock Anthem
Artist: LMFAO
Writers: Skyler Gordy (ASCAP)* / Stefan Gordy (ASCAP)* / David Listenbee (ASCAP) / Peter Schroeder (ASCAP)
Publisher: Kobalt Music Publishing Australia Pty Ltd*

Want to know how the APRA nominees and eventual winners are determined?
The following categories are awarded based on APRA's statistical analysis of radio and TV broadcasting as well as digital activity:

• Most Played Australian Work
• International Work of the Year
• Most Played Australian Work Overseas
The list of eligible works for all genre categories are sourced from relevant industry charts, from which the nominations are determined
based on the level of broadcast and digital activity. These categories include:
• Blues and Roots Work of the Year
• Country Work of the Year
• Dance Work of the Year
• Rock Work of the Year
• Urban Work of the Year
Song of the Year

Is decided by the votes of APRA members. All songs written by an APRA member and released in the preceding calendar year are eligible for consideration.

Songwriter of the Year
Is decided by APRA's Board of Writer and Publisher Directors rewarding the songwriter who has recorded the most impressive body of work in the previous year.

Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music
Is decided by APRA's Board of Writer and Publisher Directors.

Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year
Is decided by APRA's Board of Writer and Publisher Directors for an emerging songwriter or group of writers.

For the complete list of nominee selection criteria please go to:
http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/apraawards/musicawards/rules.aspx

*Eligibility for APRA Song of the Year is determined by:
•All songs written by an APRA member and released in the preceding calendar year are eligible for consideration.
•The song must have been written principally (i.e. minimum 50% share) by an APRA writer member that has their principal residence in Australia.
•The songs are voted by APRA members (songwriters) making this a 100% peer-voted music award.
**Works of the Year categories are based on statistical analysis. Criteria is determined by:
•All songs written by an APRA member and released in the period July 2010 to December 2011 are eligible for consideration.
•The song must have been written principally (i.e. minimum 50% share) by an APRA member that has their principal residence in Australia
*Nominations are derived from broadcast performance activity including radio, television and online.


APRA MUSIC AWARDS PRESENTERS AND PERFORMERS ANNOUNCED...

With the red carpet set to roll out in just over a week, the 2012 APRA MUSIC AWARDS are the grand finale to Song Summit 2012 and will be held on the closing night of the three-day music industry expo on Monday May 28th at the Parkside Ballroom, Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Along with details of special Music Awards guest presenters and performers, APRA (Australasian Performing Right Association) is proud to announce that MARY LOPEZ AM will receive the Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music at the 2012 APRA Music Awards.

Chosen by the APRA Board of Writer and Publisher Directors, the TED ALBERT AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICES TO AUSTRALIAN MUSIC has been bestowed upon some of Australia’s most respected music industry heavyweights including Don Burrows, Michael Chugg, Slim Dusty, Triple J, Bill Armstrong, Angus & Malcolm Young, Roger Davies, Denis Handlin AM, the late Jimmy Little and last year’s recipient Paul Kelly for their contribution in shaping and developing the Australian music landscape.

A highly respected talent consultant committed to finding ways to develop and showcase talented Australians of all ages, MARY LOPEZ is also committed to leveling the playing field, working hard to ensure that all aspiring and talented young Australians are given an equal opportunity to follow their music and entertainment dreams. Her love for, and admiration of, the performers she has mentored shines through in the success of the almost 60 significant and spectacular productions she has staged over her career, including the Schools Spectacular which she directed for 25 years. Mary has been responsible for dozens of other major public events including ‘An Australian Christmas’ at Darling Harbour, the NSW Premier’s Concert, the World Indigenous People’s Conference Opening and Closing Ceremonies and many more.

Mary’s passion for promoting and nurturing talented young people led her to co-found the Talent Development Project (TDP) in 1991, a widely respected music industry training program which prepares gifted young performers for careers in the music and entertainment industry. She has been the Artistic Director of this unique scheme since its inception. Mary’s ability to identify the potential in young performers has been shown by the success of the program. Star TDP graduates include recording artists Human Nature, Angus & Julia Stone and Paulini, Music Director and Composer John Foreman, Hi 5 star Nathan Foley, Jazz singer Emma Pask and a host of award-winning country music performers including Darren Coggan, Felicity Urquhart, Drew McAlister, Jedd Hughes, Travis Collins and The McClymonts. Mary’s success also lies in her use of the TDP and the Schools Spectacular to provide a level playing field for disadvantaged young performers. As a result, ATSI (Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander) students, and those with mental or physical disabilities are now being given a chance to excel, regardless of their circumstances.

Mary’s development of talented young Australian entertainers and her contribution to the performing arts was recognised by her appointment as a member of the Order of Australia, one of this country’s highest honours. In 2007, she received the Variety Humanitarian of the Year Award and in 2010 her contribution to Public Education and the Arts was recognised with an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University of Western Sydney.

The TED ALBERT AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICES TO AUSTRALIAN MUSIC will be presented to MARY LOPEZ by country music singer songwriter FELICITY URQUHART at the 2012 APRA Music Awards. One of the leading lights of the Australian country music scene, Felicity is still very much involved in Mary’s NSW Talent Development Project and in between a hectic schedule which includes being a presenter on Channel 7’s Sydney Weekender, other TV and radio roles, and being the face of The Heart Of Country for Tourism NSW, she is widely regarded as one of the country’s finest vocalists and songwriters.
In addition to our hosting team of JONATHAN BIGGINS and MISSY HIGGINS, APRA is delighted to welcome YUSUF ISLAM as a special guest presenter for the 2012 APRA Music Awards. Singer songwriter, activist and philanthropist, Yusuf Islam is one of popular music's most famous and intriguing figures. Having
sold in excess of 60 million records sold worldwide, and with a phenomenal fan base, Yusuf is now focusing on a new musical he has produced called 'Moonshadow' which had its world premiere in Melbourne. The musical fantasy written by Yusuf, features the songs which he penned as Cat Stevens, weaving together new songs with his classics, hits such as Father & Son, Wild World, Matthew & Son and The First Cut is the Deepest. YUSUF ISLAM will present the award for APRA SONG OF THE YEAR. Widely respected music industry veteran PHILIP MORTLOCK, Head of Creative Services at Alberts will also present at the 2012 APRA Music Awards.

TINA ARENA one of Australia’s most iconic voices, will perform at the 2012 APRA Music Awards. From her humble beginnings in Moonee Ponds and a career defining slot on Young Talent Time in the early 80’s, TINA ARENA’s inner artist emerged and she has become a songwriter with emotional experience and depth of feeling and an internationally-acclaimed singer with the ability to touch and capture hearts through song. Tina joins us just ahead of a national orchestral tour scheduled for June to August.
Also performing at the APRA Music Awards will be TEX PERKINS, another bona-fide legend and founder of seminal bands Beasts of Bourbon, The Cruel Sea and Dark Horses. Most recently Tex has been channeling another legend in Johnny Cash receiving a Helpmann Award for Best Contemporary Concert, for THE
MAN IN BLACK where he takes to the stage as Cash for two hours of magnificent music interwoven with the story of his rise to stardom, his fight for survival and his eventual redemption.


Also performing at the 2012 APRA Music Awards will be the wonderful BOB EVANS (aka Kevin Mitchell). Renaissance man Mitchell has had a wonderful career with band Jebediah and his alter ego Bob Evans showing his skills as a champion songwriter and troubadour. His performance at the APRA Music Awards
preceeds an appearance at Splendour In The Grass under his original persona of Kevin Mitchell performing 50 Years of Bob Dylan!, where he will team up with Holly Throsby, Kav Temperley (Eskimo Joe) and Patience Hodgson (The Grates) as well as surprise guests.

With a restless creative energy that has seen him make a killer solo album, join forces in numerous projects and supergroups including The Wrights and Hot Rollers as well as being founder and co-vocalist of a little band called Spiderbait, KRAM joins the APRA Music Awards as a special guest performer. An accomplished singer-songwriter, drummer and musical all-rounder, expect the unexpected when KRAM hits the stage.

We all know her voice by now. The wonderful talent that is KATE MILLER-HEIDKE joins us as a special guest performer at the 2012 APRA Music Awards.

Following double-platinum sales for her last album (2008’s Curiouser), sets at Coachella, international dates supporting Ben Folds, acclaimed opera performances in Australia and the UK, Kate Miller-Heidke has returned with her panoramic new album Nightflight, her first solo album in three years which debuted at #2 on the national ARIA Chart.

Singer-songwriter and performer extraordinaire BERTIE BLACKMAN rose to fame with her debut album in 2004, Headway, which came after years of prolific
performances in which she developed a dedicated following. Bertie delivers pop music with depth. Her voice is seductive, her lyrics are inventive and honest and she mesmerizes as a live performer. "When I’m playing music, I just disappear into what's going on," she says.

Touted as a “human powerhouse” (The Australian) and “prodigious chanteuse” (Rolling Stone), ascendant pop songstress SOPHIA BROUS (known as BROUS) brings to the APRA Music Awards an uncompromising vision for pop. Her songs evoke the widescreen majesty of Scott Walker and classic melodies of Morricone's Mina - unforgettable choruses crowned by Brous' extraordinarily expressive voice.

Performing live at the 2012 APRA Music Awards is RUSSELL MORRIS, one of Australia's most enduring singers. A major pop star in the late '60s, he went on to become one of the country's first singer-songwriters scoring five Australian Top 10 singles during the late 1960s and early 1970s. On 1 July 2008, the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) recognised Morris' iconic status when he was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.

Sydney outfit PVT has established themselves as a beacon of the Sydney music scene – awarded best local release of the decade by FBi Radio. Renowned for their live performances, the trio have approached recording as an ‘opportunity to create new space on stage’. They harness all their power for a special performance at the APRA Music Awards.

The 2012 APRA Music Awards, which will celebrate the achievements of Australian composers and publishers from the previous twelve months, will announce the winners in the categories of: Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year, Most Played Australian Work, Most Played Australian Work Overseas, International Work of the Year, Country Work of the Year, Blues & Roots Work of the Year, Urban Work of the Year, Dance Work of the Year and Rock Work of the Year.

The recipients of the prestigious Songwriter of the Year (as determined by the APRA Board of Writer and Publisher Directors) will also be announced at the gala industry event. And of course, the event will feature the announcement of the coveted peer voted music prize – the APRA Song of the Year.

The 2012 APRA MUSIC AWARDS will be filmed by subscription television partner MAX for a special that will be broadcast exclusively on MAX on TUESDAY 12TH JUNE at 8.00PM along with an encore presentation at 10.30am on THURSDAY JUNE 14TH. Featuring exclusive interviews from the red carpet and backstage, as well as a wrap up of all the award winners, this is a special broadcast not to be missed! MAX is available on FOXTEL and AUSTAR.

Hosted by Jonathan Biggins and Missy Higgins, the 2012 APRA Music Awards will feature performances by Tina Arena, Tex Perkins, Kate Miller-Heidke, Bob Evans, Kram, Sophia Brous, Russell Morris, PVT and Bertie Blackman and special guest presenters Yusuf Islam, Felicity Urquhart and Philip Mortlock.

CATEGORIES FOR 2012 APRA MUSIC AWARDS

Song of the Year
Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year
Most Played Australian Work
Most Played Australian Work Overseas
International Work of the Year
Country Work of the Year
Blues & Roots Work of the Year
Urban Work of the Year
Dance Work of the Year
Rock Work of the Year.
The APRA Board of Writer and Publisher Directors determine the following:
Songwriter of the Year
Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music

2012 APRA MUSIC AWARDS
Monday May 28th
Parkside Ballroom,
Sydney Exhibition and Convention Centre,
Hosted by Jonathan Biggins and Missy Higgins
www.apra-amcos.com.au

Websites

APRA
www.apra-amcos.com.au 

APRA Awards
www.apra-amcos.com.au/apraawards.aspx 

Song Summit
www.songsummit.com.au 

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr
www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography 

Eva Rinaldi Photography
www.evarinaldi.com

Music News Australia
www.musicnewsaustralia.com 

APRA MUSIC AWARDS PRESENTERS AND PERFORMERS ANNOUNCED, MARY LOPEZ AM TO RECEIVE PRESTIGIOUS TED ALBERT AWARD

With the red carpet set to roll out in just over a week, the 2012 APRA MUSIC AWARDS are the grand finale to Song Summit 2012 and will be held on the closing night of the three-day music industry expo on Monday May 28th at the Parkside Ballroom, Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Along with details of special Music Awards guest presenters and performers, APRA (Australasian Performing Right Association) is proud to announce that MARY LOPEZ AM will receive the Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music at the 2012 APRA Music Awards.

Chosen by the APRA Board of Writer and Publisher Directors, the TED ALBERT AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICES TO AUSTRALIAN MUSIC has been bestowed upon some of Australia’s most respected music industry heavyweights including Don Burrows, Michael Chugg, Slim Dusty, Triple J, Bill Armstrong, Angus & Malcolm Young, Roger Davies, Denis Handlin AM, the late Jimmy Little and last year’s recipient Paul Kelly for their contribution in shaping and developing the Australian music landscape.

A highly respected talent consultant committed to finding ways to develop and showcase talented Australians of all ages, MARY LOPEZ is also committed to leveling the playing field, working hard to ensure that all aspiring and talented young Australians are given an equal opportunity to follow their music and entertainment dreams. Her love for, and admiration of, the performers she has mentored shines through in the success of the almost 60 significant and spectacular productions she has staged over her career, including the Schools Spectacular which she directed for 25 years. Mary has been responsible for dozens of other major public events including ‘An Australian Christmas’ at Darling Harbour, the NSW Premier’s Concert, the World Indigenous People’s Conference Opening and Closing Ceremonies and many more.

Mary’s passion for promoting and nurturing talented young people led her to co-found the Talent Development Project (TDP) in 1991, a widely respected music industry training program which prepares gifted young performers for careers in the music and entertainment industry. She has been the Artistic Director of this unique scheme since its inception. Mary’s ability to identify the potential in young performers has been shown by the success of the program. Star TDP graduates include recording artists Human Nature, Angus & Julia Stone and Paulini, Music Director and Composer John Foreman, Hi 5 star Nathan Foley, Jazz singer Emma Pask and a host of award-winning country music performers including Darren Coggan, Felicity Urquhart, Drew McAlister, Jedd Hughes, Travis Collins and The McClymonts. Mary’s success also lies in her use of the TDP and the Schools Spectacular to provide a level playing field for disadvantaged young performers. As a result, ATSI (Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander) students, and those with mental or physical disabilities are now being given a chance to excel, regardless of their circumstances.

Mary’s development of talented young Australian entertainers and her contribution to the performing arts was recognised by her appointment as a member of the Order of Australia, one of this country’s highest honours. In 2007, she received the Variety Humanitarian of the Year Award and in 2010 her contribution to Public Education and the Arts was recognised with an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University of Western Sydney.

The TED ALBERT AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICES TO AUSTRALIAN MUSIC will be presented to MARY LOPEZ by country music singer songwriter FELICITY URQUHART at the 2012 APRA Music Awards. One of the leading lights of the Australian country music scene, Felicity is still very much involved in Mary’s NSW Talent Development Project and in between a hectic schedule which includes being a presenter on Channel 7’s Sydney Weekender, other TV and radio roles, and being the face of The Heart Of Country for Tourism NSW, she is widely regarded as one of the country’s finest vocalists and songwriters.

In addition to our hosting team of JONATHAN BIGGINS and MISSY HIGGINS, APRA is delighted to welcome YUSUF ISLAM as a special guest presenter for the 2012 APRA Music Awards. Singer songwriter, activist and philanthropist, Yusuf Islam is one of popular music's most famous and intriguing figures. Having sold in excess of 60 million records sold worldwide, and with a phenomenal fan base, Yusuf is now focusing on a new musical he has produced called 'Moonshadow' which had its world premiere in Melbourne. The musical fantasy written by Yusuf, features the songs which he penned as Cat Stevens, weaving together new songs with his classics, hits such as Father & Son, Wild World, Matthew & Son and The First Cut is the Deepest. YUSUF ISLAM will present the award for APRA SONG OF THE YEAR. Widely respected music industry veteran PHILIP MORTLOCK, Head of Creative Services at Alberts will also present at the 2012 APRA Music Awards.

TINA ARENA one of Australia’s most iconic voices, will perform at the 2012 APRA Music Awards. From her humble beginnings in Moonee Ponds and a career defining slot on Young Talent Time in the early 80’s, TINA ARENA’s inner artist emerged and she has become a songwriter with emotional experience and depth of feeling and an internationally-acclaimed singer with the ability to touch and capture hearts through song. Tina joins us just ahead of a national orchestral tour scheduled for June to August. Also performing at the APRA Music Awards will be TEX PERKINS, another bona-fide legend and founder of seminal bands Beasts of Bourbon, The Cruel Sea and Dark Horses. Most recently Tex has been channeling another legend in Johnny Cash receiving a Helpmann Award for Best Contemporary Concert, for THE MAN IN BLACK where he takes to the stage as Cash for two hours of magnificent music interwoven with the story of his rise to stardom, his fight for survival and his eventual redemption.


Also performing at the 2012 APRA Music Awards will be the wonderful BOB EVANS (aka Kevin Mitchell). Renaissance man Mitchell has had a wonderful career with band Jebediah and his alter ego Bob Evans showing his skills as a champion songwriter and troubadour. His performance at the APRA Music Awards proceeds an appearance at Splendour In The Grass under his original persona of Kevin Mitchell performing 50 Years of Bob Dylan!, where he will team up with Holly Throsby, Kav Temperley (Eskimo Joe) and Patience Hodgson (The Grates) as well as surprise guests.

With a restless creative energy that has seen him make a killer solo album, join forces in numerous projects and supergroups including The Wrights and Hot Rollers as well as being founder and co-vocalist of a little band called Spiderbait, KRAM joins the APRA Music Awards as a special guest performer. An accomplished singer-songwriter, drummer and musical all-rounder, expect the unexpected when KRAM hits the stage.

We all know her voice by now. The wonderful talent that is KATE MILLER-HEIDKE joins us as a special guest performer at the 2012 APRA Music Awards.

Following double-platinum sales for her last album (2008’s Curiouser), sets at Coachella, international dates supporting Ben Folds, acclaimed opera performances in Australia and the UK, Kate Miller-Heidke has returned with her panoramic new album Nightflight, her first solo album in three years which debuted at #2 on the national ARIA Chart.

Singer-songwriter and performer extraordinaire BERTIE BLACKMAN rose to fame with her debut album in 2004, Headway, which came after years of prolific
performances in which she developed a dedicated following. Bertie delivers pop music with depth. Her voice is seductive, her lyrics are inventive and honest and she mesmerizes as a live performer. "When I’m playing music, I just disappear into what's going on," she says.

Touted as a “human powerhouse” (The Australian) and “prodigious chanteuse” (Rolling Stone), ascendant pop songstress SOPHIA BROUS (known as BROUS) brings to the APRA Music Awards an uncompromising vision for pop. Her songs evoke the widescreen majesty of Scott Walker and classic melodies of Morricone's Mina - unforgettable choruses crowned by Brous' extraordinarily expressive voice.

Performing live at the 2012 APRA Music Awards is RUSSELL MORRIS, one of Australia's most enduring singers. A major pop star in the late '60s, he went on to become one of the country's first singer-songwriters scoring five Australian Top 10 singles during the late 1960s and early 1970s. On 1 July 2008, the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) recognised Morris' iconic status when he was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.

Sydney outfit PVT has established themselves as a beacon of the Sydney music scene – awarded best local release of the decade by FBi Radio. Renowned for their live performances, the trio have approached recording as an ‘opportunity to create new space on stage’. They harness all their power for a special performance at the APRA Music Awards.

The 2012 APRA Music Awards, which will celebrate the achievements of Australian composers and publishers from the previous twelve months, will announce the winners in the categories of: Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year, Most Played Australian Work, Most Played Australian Work Overseas, International Work of the Year, Country Work of the Year, Blues & Roots Work of the Year, Urban Work of the Year, Dance Work of the Year and Rock Work of the Year.

The recipients of the prestigious Songwriter of the Year (as determined by the APRA Board of Writer and Publisher Directors) will also be announced at the gala industry event. And of course, the event will feature the announcement of the coveted peer voted music prize – the APRA Song of the Year.
The 2012 APRA MUSIC AWARDS will be filmed by subscription television partner MAX for a special that will be broadcast exclusively on MAX on TUESDAY 12TH JUNE at 8.00PM along with an encore presentation at 10.30am on THURSDAY JUNE 14TH. Featuring exclusive interviews from the red carpet and backstage, as well as a wrap up of all the award winners, this is a special broadcast not to be missed! MAX is available on FOXTEL and AUSTAR.

Hosted by Jonathan Biggins and Missy Higgins, the 2012 APRA Music Awards will feature performances by Tina Arena, Tex Perkins, Kate Miller-Heidke, Bob Evans, Kram, Sophia Brous, Russell Morris, PVT and Bertie Blackman and special guest presenters Yusuf Islam, Felicity Urquhart and Philip Mortlock.

CATEGORIES FOR 2012 APRA MUSIC AWARDS

Song of the Year
Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year
Most Played Australian Work
Most Played Australian Work Overseas
International Work of the Year
Country Work of the Year
Blues & Roots Work of the Year
Urban Work of the Year
Dance Work of the Year
Rock Work of the Year.
The APRA Board of Writer and Publisher Directors determine the following:
Songwriter of the Year
Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music

2012 APRA MUSIC AWARDS
Monday May 28th
Parkside Ballroom,
Sydney Exhibition and Convention Centre,
Hosted by Jonathan Biggins and Missy Higgins
www.apra-amcos.com.au

Websites

APRA
www.apra-amcos.com.au 

APRA Awards
www.apra-amcos.com.au/apraawards.aspx 

Song Summit
www.songsummit.com.au 

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr
www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography 

Eva Rinaldi Photography
www.evarinaldi.com 

Music News Australia
www.musicnewsaustralia.com 

APRA Music Awards 2012

APRA Music Awards 2012, a set on Flickr.