The National Indigenous Music Awards [NIMAs] are on tonight!
They will be broadcast on NITV and simulcast across the country on the NIMA Facebook, DoubleJ, NIRS,Twitter and Youtube.
The NIMAS are a celebration of Indigenous music that honours contemporary and traditional artists. They are recognised as one of Australia’s most prominent Indigenous music awards and have been celebrating Australian music for 16 years
This year the NIMAS will posthumously induct Ngarrindjeri woman, Ruby Hunter into the NIMA Hall of Fame with special musical tributes from Emma Donovan and Ruby’s husband Archie Roach.
We at Rogue Homme are very much looking forward to this special moment in the show, honouring one of the country’s most strong and celebrated female First Nations artists.
We are also absolutely vibed to be seeing Midnight Oil performing their new track Gadigal Land (feat. Dan Sultan, Joel Davison, Kaleena Briggs & Bunna Lawrie). This is the bands first release in almost 20 years. They will do an “in studio” performance for the event.
We asked the the NIMAS Creative Director Ben Graetz to give us a quick insight to the event and a few of his favourite things.
1) Tell us about you and your role for the NIMAS and how this feels for you.
I was born and raised in Darwin, Northern Territory and am a descendant of the Iwaidja and Malak Malak Clans in the Northern Territory and of Badu Island on the Torres Strait Islands of Australia.
I have been working in the performing arts sector for close to 24 years. Working as a performer, director, producer, writer, MC and artistic director.
On being the Creative Director for the 2020 NIMA’s Ben says “Its such an incredible opportunity that I feel, I am very blessed to have. Especially during these challenging times, to be able to have a creative outlet and focus, I’m very grateful for and to create the overall vision through the lens of Aboriginal andf TSI people and it is important for the way forward.”
2) What First Nation artist/s do you have playing on high rotation at the moment ?
Jessica Mauboy of course! Merindas, Emily Wurramara, Electric Fields, Brayden Dunbar.
3)What are you most looking forward to on the night?
Bringing togther all our mob and showcasing all the extraordinary First Nation talent we have in this country,
4) Who will you be wearing for the event?
Actually a beautiful tailored shirt from the remote Aboriginal community of Maningrida.
5)Who is your pick for Artist of the year?
Hmmmmmm… as creative director I need to remain partial! lol I love them all!
The NIMAs showcase the rich musical landscape of Australia and highlight the music coming from all corners of our country.
Held annually under the stars at Darwin’s historic Amphitheatre.Due to the world we are in right now much of the event will be done from various locations across the country inside and out.
The NIMAS bring audiences from all over Australia together to applaud and enjoy indigenous music from a local and international level.
I know the team at Rogue Homme will be watching, and we hope you can join us in celebrating the rich cultural music of our Indigenous superstars. It will be an awards night to lift us up and keep us connected in a time that we will remember for the rest of our lives.
Big Love!
Leah
PS: Baker Boy for the win!!!
The 2020 National Indigenous Music Awards will be broadcast on NITV and simulcast across the country on the NIMA Facebook, DoubleJ, NIRS,Twitter and Youtube. Saturday 8th August 630pm (ACST)
