APRA Music Awards of 2015
The Australasian Performing Right Association Awards of 2015 are a series of related awards which include the APRA Music Awards, Art Music Awards, and Screen Music Awards. The APRA Music Awards of 2015 was the 33rd annual ceremony by the Australasian Performing Right Association and the Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society to award outstanding achievements in contemporary songwriting, composing and publishing. The ceremony was held on 24 March 2015 at the Carriageworks, Sydney. The host for the ceremony was Brian Nankervis, adjudicator on SBS-TV's RocKwiz.
The Art Music Awards were distributed on 11 August at the City Recital Hall, Sydney. These were provided by APRA, AMCOS and Australian Music Centre to recognise "artistic achievement and excellence within the field of Australia's art music industry." The Screen Music Awards were issued on 13 November by APRA, AMCOS and Australian Guild of Screen Composers, which "acknowledges excellence and innovation in the genre of screen composition".
On 26 February nominations for the APRA Music Awards were announced on multiple news sources, with Sheppard receiving four nominations; while Dan Sultan, Sia and Jesse Shatkin, and 5 Seconds of Summer received three each. A total of 13 awards were presented, with Fifa Riccobono honoured by the Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music. Riccobono worked for Albert Music for 40 years. Sia was presented with Songwriter of the Year for the third consecutive year – the first artist to ever do so.
Presenters
At the APRA Music Awards ceremony on 24 March 2015, aside from the host, Brian Nankervis, the presenters were Jimmy Barnes, Vance Joy, Kerri-Anne Kennerley and Melinda Schneider.Performances
The APRA Music Awards ceremony showcased performances by:- Daniel Johns – "Preach"
- Lisa Mitchell and Jake Clemons
- Thief
- Penelope Austin and M-Phazes
- Jon Hume
- Mark Vincent and Julie Lea Goodwin
- Jimmy Barnes and Diesel
- Kingswood
APRA Music Awards
Blues & Roots Work of the Year
| Title and/or artist | Writer | Publisher | Result |
| "Dulcify" – Halfway | John Busby, Christopher Dale, Liam Fitzpatrick, Noel Fitzpatrick, Elwin Hawtin, Benjamin Johnson, Luke Peacock, John Willsteed | Native Tongue Music Publishing obo Plus One Records | |
| "Get Home" – Angus & Julia Stone | Angus Stone, Julia Stone | Sony/ATV Music Publishing Pty Ltd | |
| "Heart Beats Slow" – Angus & Julia Stone | Angus Stone, Julia Stone | Sony/ATV Music Publishing Australia P/L | |
| "Livin’ in the City" – John Butler Trio | John Butler | Family Music Pty Ltd/J Albert & Son Pty Ltd | |
| "Window to the Sky" – Kim Churchill | Kim Churchill | Sony/ATV Music Publishing Pty Ltd |
Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year
| Title and/or artist | Writer | Publisher | Result |
| 5 Seconds of Summer | Michael Clifford, Luke Hemmings, Calum Hood, Ashton Irwin | Universal Music Publishing Pty Ltd | |
| Chet Faker | Chet Faker | Mushroom Music Pty Ltd | |
| M-Phazes | M-Phazes | Universal Music Publishing Pty Ltd | |
| The Preatures | Gideon Bensen, Thomas Champion, Luke Davison, Isabella Manfredi, Jack Mofitt | Mushroom Music Pty Ltd | |
| Troye Sivan | Troye Sivan Mellet |
Country Work of the Year
| Title and/or artist | Writer | Publisher | Result |
| "Freedom Rebels" – Adam Brand | Adam Brand, Barry Dean, Troy Verges | Universal Music Publishing Pty Ltd, Universal Music Publishing MGB Australia obo Barrytones / Universal/MCA Music Publishing Pty Ltd obo Songs from the Engine Room | |
| "Give Her the World" – Adam Eckersley Band | Adam Eckersley, Danelle Leverett, Jason Reeves | Sony/ATV Music Publishing Pty Ltd | |
| "Going Under " – The McClymonts | Brooke McClymont, Mollie McClymont, Samantha McClymont, Lindsay Rimes | Sony/ATV Music Publishing Pty Ltd | |
| "Here's To You And I" – The McClymonts | Stuart Crichton, Brooke McClymont, Mollie McClymont, Samantha McClymont | Native Tongue Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing Pty Ltd | |
| "One Eye For An Eye" – Morgan Evans | Morgan Evans, Mark Wells | Perfect Pitch Publishing Pty Ltd |
Dance Work of the Year
| Title and/or artist | Writer | Publisher | Result |
| "Braveheart" – Neon Jungle | Cassie Davis, Sean Mullins | Universal Music Publishing Pty Ltd | |
| "Drop the Game" – Flume & Chet Faker | Flume, Chet Faker | Kobalt Music Publishing Australia P/L obo Future Classic Pty Ltd, Mushroom Music Pty Ltd* | |
| "High" – Peking Duk featuring Nicole Millar | Adam Hyde, Reuben Styles, Sam Littlemore, Nicole Millar | 120 Publishing Pty Ltd | |
| "Swing " – Joel Fletcher featuring Savage | Joel Fletcher, Demetrius Savelio, Nathan Holmes, Aaron Ngawhika | 120 Publishing Pty Ltd, Universal Music Publishing Pty Ltd obo Dawn Raid Music Ltd | |
| "Tear It Down" – The Aston Shuffle | Kaelyn Behr, Mikah Freeman, Vance Musgrove, Amanda Ghost | Sony/ATV Music Publishing Pty Ltd, Universal Music Publishing Pty Ltd |
International Work of the Year
| Title and/or artist | Writer | Publisher | Result |
| "Happy" – Pharrell Williams | Pharrell Williams | Universal/MCA Music Publishing Pty Ltd obo Universal Pictures Music / Sony/ATV Music Publishing Pty Ltd | |
| "Rather Be" – Clean Bandit featuring Jess Glynne | Grace Chatto, Nicole Marshall, James Napier, Jack Patterson | Sony/ATV Music Publishing Pty Ltd / Universal Music Publishing Pty Ltd obo Salli Isaak Songs Ltd | |
| "Rude" – Magic! | Nasri Atweh, Adam Messinger, Mark Pellizzer, Ben Spivak,Alex Tanas | Sony/ATV Music Publishing Pty Ltd, Kobalt Music Publishing Australia P/L obo Messy Music, Universal/MCA Music Publishing Pty Ltd obo Mark Pelli Music Inc, Kobalt Music Publishing Australia P/L obo Kobalt Music Services America Inc, Mushroom Music Pty Ltd obo BMG Chrysalis | |
| "Stay with Me" – Sam Smith | Sam Smith, James Napier, William Phillips, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne | Sony/ATV Music Publishing Pty Ltd, Universal Music Publishing Pty Ltd obo Salli Isaak Songs Ltd, Universal Music Publishing Pty Ltd obo Gone Gator Music, Universal Music Publishing Pty Ltd obo Method Paperwork Ltd | |
| "The Monster" – Eminem featuring Rihanna | Marshall Mathers, Bryan Fryzel, Bleta Rexha, Aaron Kleinstub, Maki Athanasiou, Robyn Fenty, Jon Bellion | Universal/MCA Music Publishing Pty Ltd Obo Shroom Shady Music, J Albert and Son Pty Ltd obo Art In The Fodder Music and Songs of a Beautiful Mind, Sony/ATV Music Publishing Pty Ltd, Universal/MCA Music Publishing Pty Ltd obo Freq Show Music, Mushroom Music Pty Ltd obo BMG Chrysalis, Mushroom Music Pty Ltd obo BMG Chrysalis |
Most Played Australian Work
| Title and/or artist | Writer | Publisher | Result |
| "Chandelier" – Sia | Sia Furler, Jesse Shatkin | Sony/ATV Music Publishing Pty Ltd | |
| "Geronimo" – Sheppard | Jason Bovino, Amy Sheppard, George Sheppard | Mushroom Music Pty Ltd obo Empire of Song Pty Ltd | |
| "Like a Drum" – Guy Sebastian | Guy Sebastian, Romain Lorenzo, Sam Martin, David Harris | Universal Music Publishing Pty Ltd, Peace Pourage Music, Warner/Chappell Music Australia Pty Ltd obo Quinleez Music and Artist 101 Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music Australia Pty Ltd obo Sam Martin Music Publishing and Artist Publishing Group West | |
| "She Looks So Perfect" – 5 Seconds of Summer | Michael Clifford, Ashton Irwin, Jacob Sinclair | Sony/ATV Music Publishing Pty Ltd, Mushroom Music Pty Ltd obo BMG Chrysalis | |
| "Swing " – Joel Fletcher | Joel Fletcher Allan, Demetrius Savelio, Nathan Holmes, Aaron Ngawhika | 120 Publishing Pty Ltd, Universal Music Publishing Pty Ltd obo Dawn Raid Music Ltd |
Most Played Australia Work Overseas
| Title and/or artist | Writer | Publisher | Result |
| "Somebody That I Used To Know" – Gotye featuring Kimbra | Wally de Backer, Luiz Bonfá | J Albert and Son Pty Ltd obo Op Shop Songs Pty Ltd and Kobalt Music Publishing Australia P/L, Warner/Chappell Music Australia Pty Ltd |
Pop Work of the Year
| Title and/or artist | Writer | Publisher | Result |
| "Borrow My Heart" – Taylor Henderson | Alex Hope, Louis Schoorl, Hayley Warner | Sony/ATV Music Publishing Allegro Pty Ltd, Universal Music Publishing Pty Ltd, Sony/ATV Music Publishing Pty Ltd | |
| "Chandelier" – Sia | Sia Furler, Jesse Shatkin | Sony/ATV Music Publishing Pty Ltd | |
| "Geronimo" – Sheppard | Jason Bovino, Amy Sheppard, George Sheppard | Mushroom Music Pty Ltd obo Empire of Song Pty Ltd | |
| "Like a Drum" – Guy Sebastian | Guy Sebastian, David Harris, Romain Lorenzo, Samuel Martin | Universal Music Publishing Pty Ltd, Peace Pourage Music, Warner/Chappell Music Australia Pty Ltd obo Quinleez Music and Artist 101 Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music Australia Pty Ltd obo Sam Martin Music Publishing and Artist Publishing Group West | |
| "She Looks So Perfect" – 5 Seconds of Summer | Michael Clifford, Ashton Irwin, Jacob Sinclair | Sony/ATV Music Publishing Pty Ltd, Mushroom Music Pty Ltd obo BMG Chrysalis |
Rock Work of the Year
| Title and/or artist | Writer | Publisher | Result |
| "Love You Deserve" – Stonefield | Amy Findlay, Hannah Findlay, Holly Findlay, Sarah Findlay | Mushroom Music Pty Ltd | |
| "Sucker Punch" – Kingswood | Alexander Laska | Native Tongue Music Publishing | |
| "The End" – The Jezabels | Nikolas Kaloper, Samuel Lockwood, Hayley Mary, Heather Shannon | Mushroom Music Pty Ltd | |
| "The Same Man" – Dan Sultan | Pip Norman, Dan Sultan | Mushroom Music Pty Ltd | |
| "Under Your Skin" – Dan Sultan | Alexander Burnett, Pip Norman, Dan Sultan | Mushroom Music Pty Ltd |
Song of the Year
| Title and/or artist | Writer | Publisher | Result |
| "Bittersweet" – Kasey Chambers and Bernard Fanning | Kasey Chambers, Bernard Fanning | Mushroom Music Pty Ltd | |
| "Chandelier" – Sia | Sia Furler, Jesse Shatkin | Sony/ATV Music Publishing Pty Ltd | |
| "Geronimo" – Sheppard | Jason Bovino, Amy Sheppard, George Sheppard | Mushroom Music Pty Ltd obo Empire of Song Pty Ltd | |
| "Kimberley Calling" – Dan Sultan | Dan Sultan | Mushroom Music Pty Ltd | |
| "You Ruin Me" – The Veronicas | Anthony Egizii, David Musumeci, Lisa Origliasso, Jessica Origliasso | Sony/ATV Music Publishing Pty Ltd, Universal Music Publishing Pty Ltd |
Songwriter of the Year
- Sia
Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music
- Fifa Riccobono
Urban Work of the Year
| Title and/or artist | Writer | Publisher | Result |
| "Live It Up" –360 featuring Pez | Matthew Colwell, Perry Chapman, Kaelyn Behr, Dennis Dowlut, Nicholas Martin | Universal Music Publishing Pty Ltd, Sony/ATV Music Publishing Pty Ltd | |
| "My Life " – Bliss n Eso featuring Ceekay Jones | Max MacKinnon, Jonathan Notley, Matthew Kirk, Nigel Kirk, Ebony West | Mushroom Music Pty Ltd, Warner/Chappell Music Australia Pty Ltd obo Runway Star Music Publishing and WB Music Corp | |
| "Price of Fame" – 360 featuring Gossling | Kaelyn Behr, Matthew Colwell | Sony/ATV Music Publishing Australia P/L / Universal Music Publishing Pty Ltd | |
| "Tightrope" – Illy featuring Scarlett Stevens | Mark Landon, Alasdair Murray | Mushroom Music Pty Ltd obo WAU Publishing, Mushroom Music Pty Ltd | |
| "Won't Let You Down" – Hilltop Hoods featuring Maverick Sabre | Barry Francis, Matthew Lambert, Daniel Smith, James Diamond, Tony Hymas, Cameron Ludik, Michael Stafford | Sony/ATV Music Publishing Pty Ltd, Diamond Brothers Music, Warner/Chappell Music Australia Pty Ltd obo Heatpar Ltd of Fairview Cottage, Universal Music Publishing Pty Ltd |
Art Music Awards
Instrumental Work of the Year
| Title | Composer | Performer | Result |
| Piano Trio The Village | Carl Vine | Sitkovetsky Trio | |
| The Secret Noise | Damien Ricketson | Ensemble Offspring | |
| Shadow Box | Damian Barbeler | Genevieve Lacey, James Crabb | |
| The Nightingale and the Rose | Paul Grabowsky | Paul Grabowsky, Genevieve Lacey, Flinders Quartet |
Jazz Work of the Year
| Title | Composer | Performer | Result |
| Love Like a Curse | Paul Grabowsky | Monash Art Ensemble | |
| Mujing | Simon Barker, Carl Dewhurst, Bae Il-Dong, Riley Lee, Matt McMahon, Phil Slater | Simon Barker, Carl Dewhurst, Bae Il-Dong, Riley Lee, Matt McMahon, Phil Slater | |
| Music for Average Photography | Mace Francis | Mace Francis Orchestra | |
| Pius Bartosik | Daniel Susnjar | Daniel Susnjar Afro-Peruvian jazz group |
Orchestral Work of the Year
| Title | Composer | Performer | Result |
| Concerto for clarinet and orchestra | Lachlan Skipworth | West Australian Symphony Orchestra, Ashley Smith, Baldur Brönnimann | |
| Dramatis Personae – Music for Trumpet and Orchestra | Brett Dean | Håkan Hardenberger, Brett Dean, Sydney Symphony Orchestra | |
| Elastic Band – for solo improvised violin and orchestra | Elena Kats-Chernin, Jon Rose | Jon Rose with Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Ilan Volkov | |
| Jandamarra - Sing for the Country | Paul Stanhope, Steve Hawke | Brett Weymark, Simon Lobelson, Singers and Dancers of the Yilimbirri Ensemble, Gondwana Choirs and Sydney Symphony Orchestra |
Vocal / Choral Work of the Year
| Title | Composer / librettist | Performer | Result |
| Afterwards | Stephen Adams | Sydney Chamber Choir, Claire Edwardes | |
| How Shall We Sing in a Strange Land? | Joseph Twist / Oodgeroo Noonuccal | National Youth Choir of Australia. Australian Boys Choir & The Vocal Consort | |
| Mass of Deliverance | Dan Walker | Leichhardt Espresso Chorus, Sydney Brass, Michelle Leonard | |
| The Riders | Iain Grandage / Alison Croggon, based on the novel by Tim Winton | Victorian Opera |
Performance of the Year
| Title | Composer / librettist | Performer | Result |
| Beauty Will Be Amnesiac or Will not Be at All | Anthony Pateras | Synergy Percussion | |
| "Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra" | Lachlan Skipworth | Ashley William Smith, West Australian Symphony Orchestra, Baldur Brönnimann | |
| "Concerto for Orchestra" | Carl Vine | West Australian Symphony Orchestra, Michael Stern | |
| Luz meridional, "Twenty-four Études for Pianoforte, no. 411" | Andrián Pertout | Michael Keiran Harvey |
Award for Excellence by an Individual
| Individual | Work | Result |
| Jeanell Carrigan | Resurrecting the piano music of Meta Overman | |
| Julian Day | Excellence in researching, broadcasting and presenting the work of Australian musicians to a broad national and international public on broadcast and print media outlets | |
| Peter Knight | Leadership, composition, performance and curation | |
| Ross Edwards | Contribution to Australian chamber music |
Award for Excellence by an Organisation
| Organisation | Work | Result |
| Gondwana Choirs | 2014 artistic program, and significant contribution to Australian music since 1989 | |
| Moorambilla Voices | 2014 program and contribution to musical life in remote New South Wales | |
| Sydney Chamber Choir | 40 years of outstanding contribution to Australian choral music | |
| Synergy Percussion | 40 years of Synergy percussion in 2014 |
Award for Excellence in Music Education
| Organisation / individual | Work | Result |
| Lorraine Milne | Sustained contribution to music education | |
| Moorambilla Voices | Education work in North West New South Wales | |
| Sydney Symphony Orchestra | TunED-Up! | |
| Topology | Top Up: music education program |
Award for Excellence in a Regional Area
| Organisation / individual | Work | Result |
| Boyd and Alison | Coalface 2014 | |
| Moorambilla Voices | Moorambilla Voices Program 2014 | |
| New England Conservatorium of Music | New England Sings! | |
| Tyalgum Music Festival | 2014 activity |
Award for Excellence in Experimental Music
| Organisation / individual | Work | Result |
| Darrin Verhagen | Activity/projects | |
| Jon Rose, Ensemble Offspring, Speak Percussion | Ghan Tracks | |
| Luke Johnson | Ornate Boredom Machine | |
| Richard Johnson | SoundOut Festival of Experimental and Improvised Music |
Award for Excellence in Jazz
| Organisation / individual | Work | Result |
| Alister Spence, Christopher Cantillo and Joe Williamson | Begin | |
| Julien Wilson | Recording and touring associated with the establishment of Lionsharecords | |
| PBS 106.7FM | The Young Elder of Jazz Commission | |
| Peter Knight | Leadership, composition, performance, curation |
Distinguished Services to Australian Music
| Organisation / individual | Result |
| Larry Sitsky |
Screen Music Awards
Feature Film Score of the Year
| Title | Composer | Result |
| Good 'Ol Boy | Michael Lira | |
| Loin des Hommes | Nick Cave, Warren Ellis | |
| Slow West | Jed Kurzel | |
| The Water Diviner | David Hirschfelder |
Best Music for an Advertisement
| Title | Composer | Result |
| Aldi – "Perfect Aussie Christmas" | Elliot Wheeler | |
| Bundaberg Rum – "Men like Us" | Nathan Cavaleri | |
| Domain – "Good Move" | Bruce Heald | |
| Tahiti Tourism | Josh Abrahams, Davide Carbone |
Best Music for Children's Television
| Title | Composer | Result |
| Bubble Bath Bay | Russell Thornton | |
| Giggle and Hoot: The Legend of Pirate Hootbeard | Sean Peter | |
| Joseph | Michael Dooley | |
| Monster Beach | Keith Moore |
Best Music for a Documentary
| Title | Composer | Result |
| 35 Letters | Gerard Fitzgerald, Lindsay Jehan, Adrian Sergovich, Haydn Walker | |
| Sherpa | Antony Partos | |
| The Great Australian Race Riot | Caitlin Yeo | |
| The Waler: Australia’s Great Warhorse | Tim Count, Keith Van Geyzel |
Best Music for a Mini-Series or Telemovie
| Title | Composer | Result |
| Redfern Now | Antony Partos | |
| The Secret River | Burkhard Dallwitz | |
| The War That Changed Us | Ash Gibson Greig | |
| Wasteland Panda: Exile | Christopher Larkin |
Best Music for a Short Film
| Title | Composer | Result |
| 1919 | Damien Lane | |
| A Mighty Nice Man | Aaron Kenny | |
| Emergence | Damien Lane | |
| Flat Daddy | Guy Gross |
Best Music for a Television Series or Serial
| Series or Serial | Episode title | Composer | Result |
| Banished | David Hirschfelder | ||
| Secrets and Lies | Matteo Zingales | ||
| The Code | Roger Mason | ||
| Who Do You Think You Are? | Ash Gibson Greig |
Best Original Song Composed for the Screen
| Song title | Work | Composer | Result |
| "Ballymullen Hill" | Banished | David Hirschfelder, Jimmy McGovern | |
| "Flying Giggle Ship" | Giggle and Hoot | Elizabeth Drummond, Hannah Field, Annie Hamilton | |
| "Head Full of Lies" | Residue | Georgi Kay, James Earp | |
| "A Secret River" | A Secret River | Shane Howard, Archie Roach |
Best Soundtrack Album
| Title | Composer | Result |
| Felony | Bryony Marks | |
| Loin des Hommes | Nick Cave, Warren Ellis | |
| The Water Diviner | David Hirschfelder | |
| Women He's Undressed | Cezary Skubiszewski |
Best Television Theme
| Title | Composer | Result |
| ANZAC Girls | Bryony Marks | |
| Maximum Choppage | Jonathan Bush | |
| Party Tricks | Bryony Marks | |
| The Code | Roger Mason |
Most Performed Screen Composer – Australia
| Composer | Result |
| Adam Gock, Dinesh Wicks | |
| Daniel Sullivan | |
| Jay Stewart | |
| Neil Sutherland |
Most Performed Screen Composer – Overseas
| Composer | Result |
| Adam Gock, Dinesh Wicks | |
| Alastair Ford | |
| Chris Harriot | |
| Neil Sutherland |