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Katie Noonan

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Katie Noonan
Noonan in 2013
Noonan in 2013
Background information
Birth nameKatie Anne Noonan
Born (1977-05-02) 2 May 1977 (age 47)
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
GenresAlternative rock, jazz, opera
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, keyboards
Years active1996–present
LabelsFestival Mushroom
Websitekatienoonan.com

Katie Anne Noonan[1] (born 2 May 1977) is an Australian singer and songwriter. In addition to a successful solo career encompassing opera, jazz, pop, rock and dance, she was the singer in the band George and remains the singer in the band Elixir; performs with her mother Maggie Noonan; and plays with her band The Captains.[2] Noonan was the musical director of and performed at the 2018 Commonwealth Games' opening and closing ceremonies.[3]

Early life

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Noonan grew up with a strong background in classical music, with her mother Maggie being a well-known opera singer. She studied opera and jazz at the Queensland Conservatorium.[4]

Career

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George

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After graduation, Noonan began fronting the pop-rock group George, along with her brother Tyrone Noonan. Noonan founded George with her brother, with whom she shares lead vocals, in 1996 to enter a university music competition. After a series of successful independently released EPs, they signed to Festival Mushroom Records and released the debut album Polyserena in 2002, which debuted in the number 1 position on the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) albums chart.[5] George won the Breakthrough Artist ARIA award in 2002 and performed the song "Breathe in Now" at the award ceremony.

Elixir

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Noonan performing with Elixir at the Woodford Folk Festival, 29 December 2011

Noonan founded the jazz trio Elixir in 1997, which released their debut self-titled album in 2003. Elixir's second album, First Seed Ripening, was released on 5 August 2011.[6] It won the 2011 ARIA Award for Best Jazz Album.

2004: Two of a Kind

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Noonan released an album of jazz and operatic duets with her mother in 2004. Entitled Two of a Kind, the album was released by the ABC Classics label.[7]

In 2004, Noonan guest appeared at the Lord Of The Rings Symphony performances. The reviewer Murray Black said that "The undoubted highlight of the evening was guest vocalist Katie Noonan. Here is a rare talent with a voice of extraordinary beauty and versatility. In most of her solos, she sounded like a classical soprano as she soared over the orchestra with a spine-tingling, vibrato-less angelic purity. Then, in Gollum's Song and the Oscar-winning Into the West, she revealed her pop diva credentials with her strong, clear voice projecting effortlessly out in the audience."[8]

2005: Before Time Could Change Us and Broad Festival

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Paul Grabowsky and Noonan teamed up for the jazz cycle Before Time Could Change Us. Consisting of words written by Dorothy Porter, the album tracks "the mysterious shifts and changes of a relationship".[9] The album won the 2005 ARIA Award for Best Jazz Album.

Later in 2005, Noonan was invited by Deborah Conway to take part in the Broad Festival project—together with three other Australian female artists they performed their own and each other's songs.[10] Sara Storer, Ruby Hunter and Clare Bowditch were the other female artists.[11]

2007: Skin and Second Skin

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Noonan recorded a solo album entitled Skin at Sydney's Linear Recording in 2006. Produced by Andrew Klippel, Skin was released on 11 August 2007 and debuted at number 6 on the ARIA Top 50 album charts and number 1 on the Australian ARIA Top 20 album chart. The debut single, "Time To Begin", debuted at number 30 on the ARIA Top 50.

Following the success of the remix of "Time To Begin", Noonan collaborated with John Course and Mr Timothy. The collaboration involved the re-recording of Noonan's vocal tracks and a dance version of her solo album was released under the title Second Skin.

On 22 February 2008, Noonan was a support act for Cyndi Lauper at King's Park Botanic Gardens, Perth, Western Australia, and was invited on stage by Lauper to sing along to "Girls Just Want to Have Fun". Also in 2008, Noonan was featured as the vocalist in Telstra's "I Am Australian" series of advertisements.[12]

2008: Blackbird: The Music of Lennon and McCartney

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Noonan released a jazz album of Lennon and McCartney cover versions in 2008 entitled Blackbird: The Music of Lennon and McCartney.[13]

2010: Emperor's Box

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The Katie Noonan and the Captains' album Emperor's Box was created over a three-year period and is Noonan's second release for Sony Music. Noonan wrote all of the songs and collaborated with the following artists during the recording of the album: Tim Finn (Split Enz), Sia, Don Walker (Cold Chisel), Josh Pyke and Australian writer/poet Tom Shapcott. The album was co-produced by Noonan and Nick DiDia (Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen, Stone Temple Pilots, Powderfinger).[2] It was preceded by the single "Page One" released in February.

2011–2012: Songs from the British Isles and Songs of the Southern Skies

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In 2011, Noonan collaborated with Karin Schaupp and toured Songs from the British Isles. An EP was released available only from Noonan's website. In 2012, the two recorded Songs of the Southern Skies. The album was nominated for two ARIA Awards at the 2012 ceremony.

2013: Songbook and Fierce Hearts

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Noonan in 2013

In 2013, Noonan released Songbook, an album that saw Noonan re-recording songs from her time in george and Elixir. She also worked with the Sydney Dance Company on the production, Les Illuminations.[14]

2014: Fierce Hearts

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In 2014, she released Fierce Hearts which was nominated for an ARIA Award at the 2014 ceremony. It was music alongside a contemporary circus show by Circa.

2015: Transmutant

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In 2015, Noonan released Transmutant through Universal Music Australia. The album peaked at number 33 on the ARIA Charts.

2016: With Love and Fury

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In 2016, Noonan collaborated with Brodsky Quartet and released With Love and Fury in April. They toured Australia throughout April and May.

2017: Songs of the Latin Skies

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In December 2016, Noonan announced the release Songs of the Latin Skies with Karin Schaupp. The album due for release in February 2017 and will see the duo embark on a musical journey through the South American songbook, exploring the sounds and beats of the bossa nova, salsa, tango and samba. The duo played live shows across the country throughout 2017.[15]

2018: Gratitude and Grief

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In 2018, Noonan reunited with Elixir and released Gratitude and Grief in August 2018. The album was nominated for Best Jazz album at the 2018 ARIA Awards.

2019: The Little Green Road to Fairyland and The Glad Tomorrow

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In April 2019, Noonan released The Little Green Road to Fairyland with Camerata and the Queensland Chamber Orchestra. In August, Noonan collaborated with the Australian String Quartet for The Glad Tomorrow. The new album sees Noonan perform uniquely Australian poetry of Queenslander and First Nations icon Oodgeroo Noonuccal to music.[16][17]

2020: Late Night Tunes with Noons and The Sweetest Taboo

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In January 2020, Noonan confirmed the release of a mini-album titled Late Night Tunes with Noons. The album featured Noonan covering a range of Australian songs, with the inclusion of one original track.[18]

In May 2020, Noonan released her twentieth album, The Sweetest Taboo, a jazz album covering 1980s pop songs.[19]

2021: AVÉ

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In May 2021, Noonan launched the Australian Vocal Ensemble (AVÉ), an a cappella quartet. The other members are tenor Andrew Goodwin, mezzo-soprano Fiona Campbell and bass-baritone Andrew O'Connor.

2023: BLUE tour

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In January 2023, Noonan commenced a national tour of 40 concerts, performing the entirety of Joni Mitchell's seminal album Blue, marking the 50th anniversary since its release. Usually accompanied by a single acoustic guitarist,[20] the first concert took place at the 2023 Sydney Festival with the final concert in Bendigo, Victoria on 16 September 2023.

Other activities

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A National Office for Live Music was launched by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in July 2013 and, as of August 2013, Noonan is the state ambassador for Queensland.[21]

In 2013, Noonan combined with the Sydney Dance Company and musicians from the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and conductor Richard Gill to perform Britten's song cycle Les Illuminations at Sydney's City Recital Hall Angel Place.[22] This production was taken in 2014 to Brisbane's QPAC with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra under Johannes Fritzsch.[23]

In 2014, Noonan was part of the I Touch Myself Project, with a mission to encourage young women to touch themselves regularly to find early signs of cancer. They released a version of "I Touch Myself" which peaked at number 72 on the ARIA singles chart.[24]

Noonan was the official ambassador to the Adelaide Fringe in 2014.[25]

In 2018, Noonan performed at the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

In August 2020, Noonan was unmasked as the "Sloth" in the second season of The Masked Singer Australia. She was the fourth contestant revealed, placing 9th overall.[26]

In February 2021, Noonan was announced as the artistic director of the National Folk Festival.[27]

On 25 September 2022, Noonan sang the National Anthem at the opening of the 2022 AFL Grand Final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Personal life

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Noonan is married to Isaac Hurren, her longtime partner and collaborator in Elixir. They are parents to two sons.

Discography

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Studio albums

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List of albums, with Australian chart positions and notes
Title Album details Peak chart positions Notes
AUS
[28]
Two of a Kind
Katie and Maggie Noonan[29]
61
  • Number 2 on the ARIA Classical Chart
  • Number 16 on the ARIA Australian Artist Chart
Before Time Could Change Us
Paul Grabowsky and Kate Noonan[30]
  • Released: 15 August 2005
  • Label: Paul Grabowsky & Katie Noonan
  • Formats: Digital download
65
  • Number 3 on the ARIA Jazz Chart
Skin 6
  • 48 on the ARIA Australian Artists End of Year Chart (2007)[31]
  • Includes the top 30 single "Time to Begin"
Second Skin
John Course & mrTimothy present Katie Noonan
  • Released: 21 April 2008
  • Label: Warner Music Australia
  • Formats: CD, digital download
  • A remix project from the album Skin.
  • Number 19 on ARIA Dance Chart.[32]
Blackbird: The Music of Lennon and McCartney
  • Released: 27 October 2008
  • Label: Sony BMG Music Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, digital download
43
  • Number 7 on ARIA End of Year Jazz Chart (2008)[33]
  • Number 11 on ARIA End of Year Jazz Chart (2009)[34]
  • Number 32 on ARIA End of Year Jazz Chart (2010)[35]
Emperor's Box
Katie Noonan and The Captains
21
First Seed Ripening[36]
(Elixir featuring Katie Noonan)
  • Released: 8 August 2011
  • Label: ABC Music
  • Formats: CD, digital download
64
  • Elixir is a band Noonan co-founded in 1997. This album is credited as 'featuring' Katie Noonan'.
  • Number 1 on the Jazz and Blues chart.
Songs from the British Isles
  • Released: 2011
  • Label: Katie Noonan and Karin Schaupp
  • Formats: digital download
  • A covers album of British songs
  • Available only from Noonan's website
Songs of the Southern Skies[37]
(Katie Noonan and Karin Schaupp)
  • Released: 17 August 2012
  • Label: Katie Noonan and Karin Schaupp
  • Formats: CD, digital download
  • A covers album of Australian/New Zealand songs
  • Number 3 on the ARIA Classical chart. Number 97 on the ARIA physical chart.[38]
Songbook[39]
  • Released: 13 January 2013
  • Label: KIN Music
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Fierce Hearts (The Music of Love-Song-Circus)
  • Released: 28 February 2014
  • Label: KIN Music
  • Formats: CD, digital download
  • Music from the circus group, Circa
Songs That Made Me
Katie Noonan and Various Artists
  • Released: 17 October 2014
  • Label: Kin Music
  • Formats: CD, digital download
  • Katie Noonan and friends
  • Number 7 on the ARIA compilation chart[40]
Transmutant
Katie Noonan's Vanguard
33
With Love and Fury
Brodsky Quartet and Katie Noon
  • Released: 19 April 2016
  • Label:KIN Music
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Songs of the Latin Skies
(Katie Noonan and Karin Schaupp)
  • Released: 17 February 2017
  • Label: Katie Noonan and Karin Schaupp
  • Formats: digital download, CD
  • A covers album of South American songs
Gratitude and Grief
(Elixir featuring Katie Noonan)
  • Released: 31 August 2018[41]
  • Label: Kin Music
  • Formats: digital download, CD
The Little Green Road to Fairyland
(Katie Noonan, Camerata with the Queensland Chamber Orchestra)
  • Released: 19 April 2019[42]
  • Label: ABC Music
  • Formats: digital download, CD, streaming
The Glad Tomorrow
(Katie Noonan with the Australian String Quartet)
  • Released: 30 August 2019[16]
  • Label: Kin Music
  • Formats: digital download, CD, streaming
Late Night Tunes with Noons
  • Released: 14 February 2020
  • Label: Kin Music
  • Formats: digital download, CD, streaming
  • A covers album of Australian songs
The Sweetest Taboo
  • Released: 8 May 2020
  • Label: ABC Classics[19]
  • Formats: digital download, CD, streaming
70
  • Jazz versions of 1980s pop songs
  • Number 1 on the ARIA Jazz and Blues Chart.[43]
A Small Shy Truth
(Elixir featuring Katie Noonan, Zac Hurren & Ben Hauptmann)
  • Released: 27 October 2023
  • Label: Kin Music
  • Formats: digital download, CD, streaming
Songs of the Southern Skies Vol 2
  • Released: 18 October 2024
  • Label: Katie Noonan and Karin Schaupp
  • Formats: CD, digital download
  • A covers album of Australian/New Zealand songs

Charted singles

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List of charted singles, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
AUS
[28]
"Time to Begin" 2007 30 Skin

Awards and nominations

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AIR Awards

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The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2011 First Seed Ripening Best Independent Jazz Album Nominated [44][45]
2020 The Glad Tomorrow Best Independent Classical Album Nominated [46]
2021 The Sweetest Taboo Best Independent Jazz Album or EP Won [47][48]

ARIA Music Awards

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The ARIA Music Awards are annual awards, which recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. Noonan has won four awards from twelve nominations.[49] In addition to that, she won one award from eight nominations during her time with band george.[50]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2005 Before Time Could Change Us (with Paul Grabowsky) Best Jazz Album Won [51]
2007 "Time to Begin" Best Female Artist Nominated
2008 Skin Best Adult Contemporary Album Nominated
2009 Blackbird: The Music of Lennon and McCartney Best Jazz Album Won [51]
2011 First Seed Ripening (with Elixir) Won
2012 Songs of the Southern Skies (with Karin Schaupp) Best Adult Contemporary Album Nominated
Best Independent Release Nominated
2014 Fierce Hearts (The Music Of Love – Song – Circus) Best Original Soundtrack/Cast/Show Album Nominated [52]
2016 With Love and Fury (with Brodsky Quartet) Best Classical Album Nominated
2017 Songs of the Latin Skies (with Karin Schaupp) Best World Music Album Won
2018 Gratitude and Grief (with Elixir) Best Jazz Album Nominated [51]
2020 The Sweetest Taboo Nominated [49][53]
2024 A Small Shy Truth
(Elixir featuring Katie Noonan, Zac Hurren & Ben Hauptmann)
Best Jazz Album Pending [54]

Australian Women in Music Awards

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The Australian Women in Music Awards is an annual event that celebrates outstanding women in the Australian Music Industry who have made significant and lasting contributions in their chosen field. They commenced in 2018.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2018 Katie Noonan Creative Leadership Award Nominated [55]
2019 Won [56]
2021 Artistic Excellence Award Nominated [57]
2024 Artistic Excellence Award Pending [58]

National Live Music Awards

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The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) commenced in 2016 to recognise contributions to the live music industry in Australia.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2023 Katie Noonan Best Live Voice in Qld Won [59][60]
Australian Vocal Ensemble (AVÉ)
(featuring Katie Noonan, Fiona Campbell, Andrew Goodwin and Andrew O'Connor)
Best Classical Act Nominated

References

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  1. ^ ""Homebrew" at APRA search engine". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 13 April 2009.
  2. ^ a b "Biography". Katie Noonan. August 2013. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
  3. ^ "Katie Noonan cops criticism after Games ceremonies bomb". news.com.au. 16 April 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  4. ^ St Clair, Jeanti (30 September 2011). "Elixir featuring Katie Noonan }". ABC North Coast NSW.
  5. ^ Jo Roberts (19 April 2002). "Bach's Bastard Son". The Age. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
  6. ^ "WELCOME TO THE ALL-NEW auspOp". February 2015.
  7. ^ Dennis Martin (29 January 2009). "Maggie and Katie Noonan". ABC Local. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
  8. ^ "Katie Nooan – Enhance Entertainment". enhancentertainment.com.au. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  9. ^ Michael Dwyer (24 November 2005). "Katie Noonan and Paul Grabowsky". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
  10. ^ Elliott, Tim (19 August 2008). "Lady's Night at the Beckoning Microphone". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  11. ^ "Broad 2005". Broad Festival. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  12. ^ Telstra "I Am Australian" Ad campaign featuring Katie Noonan on YouTube
  13. ^ "Katie Noonan – Blackbird: The Music Of Lennon And McCartney". Katie Noonan on Discogs. Discogs. 2013. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
  14. ^ "Les Illuminations with Sydney Dance Company". katienoonan.com. Archived from the original on 8 May 2016. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
  15. ^ "THE PURGE #189". auspOp. 3 December 2016. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
  16. ^ a b "The Glad Tomorrow". Apple Music Australia. 30 August 2019. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  17. ^ "The Glad Tomorrow: Katie Noonan & Australian String Quartet – Sydney". Australian String Quartet. August 2019. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  18. ^ "Noons' Tunes: Katie Noonan's New EP, Tour". auspOp. 14 January 2020. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  19. ^ a b "The Sweetest Taboo (CD)". JBHiFi. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  20. ^ "Katie Noonan: Joni Mitchell's Blue 50th Anniversary | Sydney Festival 2023". YouTube. 19 December 2022.
  21. ^ Paul Cashmere (28 July 2013). "Kevin Rudd Announces Announces National Office For Live Music". Noise11. Noise11. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
  22. ^ Discover Britten with Katie Noonan, performance details, Sydney Symphony Orchestra
  23. ^ Performance details Archived 12 May 2014 at the Wayback Machine, QPAC
  24. ^ "Chart Watch". 5 July 2014. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  25. ^ 5 Minutes With Katie Noonan Archived 19 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine, Adelaide Fringe
  26. ^ Whitehead, Mat (18 August 2020). "All The Clues from Episode 4 of The Masked Singer 2020". 10 Play. Network Ten. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  27. ^ "NFF Announces New Artistic Director". National Folk Festival (Australia). 14 February 2021. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  28. ^ a b "Discography Katie Noonan". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
  29. ^ "Two of a Kind". iTunes Australia. 2 January 2004. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
  30. ^ "Before Time Could Change Us". iTunes Australia. 15 August 2005. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
  31. ^ "2008 ARIA Australian Artists Albums Chart". www.ariacharts.com.au. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
  32. ^ "ARIA Chart Report issue 948" (PDF). webarchive.nla.gov.au. 28 April 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 May 2008. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  33. ^ "2008 ARIA Jazz & Blues Albums Chart". www.ariacharts.com.au. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
  34. ^ "2009 ARIA Jazz & Blues Albums Chart". www.ariacharts.com.au. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
  35. ^ "2010 ARIA Jazz & Blues Albums Chart". www.ariacharts.com.au. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
  36. ^ "First Seed Ripening – Elixer featuring Katie Noonan". iTunes Australia. 5 August 2011. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
  37. ^ "Song of the Southern Skies by Katie Noonan". iTunes Australia. 17 August 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
  38. ^ "ARIA Report Week Commencing 27th August 2012" (PDF). webarchive.nla.gov.au. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 September 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
  39. ^ "Songbook by Katie Noonan". iTunes Australia. 10 January 2013. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
  40. ^ "ARIA Report Week Commencing ~ 27 October 2014 ~ Issue #1287" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. 27 October 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 October 2014. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  41. ^ "Gratitde and Grief". iTunes Australia. 31 August 2018. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  42. ^ "The Little Green Road to Fairyland". iTunes Australia. 19 April 2019. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
  43. ^ "Jazz and Blues Chart ARIA". 14 June 2020. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  44. ^ "Independent Music Awards Nominees Announced". tonedeaf. 13 September 2011. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  45. ^ "History Wins". Australian Independent Record Labels Association. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  46. ^ "2020 AIR Awards Nominees". scenestr. 7 July 2020. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  47. ^ "Details confirmed for 2021 AIR Awards as nominees announced". The Music. 2 June 2021. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  48. ^ "2021 AIR Awards Winners". Scenstr.com.au. 5 August 2021. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  49. ^ a b "And the 2020 ARIA Awards Go To…". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 26 November 2020. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  50. ^ "2021 ARIA Awards Winners".
  51. ^ a b c ARIA Award previous winners. "ARIA Awards Best Jazz Album". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  52. ^ ARIA Award previous winners. "History Best Original Soundtrack, Cast or Show Album". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 16 July 2022.
  53. ^ "ARIA Awards 2020 Nominees". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  54. ^ "ARIA Awards 2024 nominations — everything you need to know". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 26 September 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  55. ^ "2018 Recipients Finalists". women in Music Awards. October 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  56. ^ "Congratulations to our 2019 Recipients & Finalists". women in Music Awards. October 2019. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  57. ^ "2022 Australian Women In Music Awards Winners". Scenestr. 19 May 2022. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  58. ^ "2024 Finalists". Australian Women in Music. 24 July 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  59. ^ "Nominees Announced For The 2023 National Live Music Awards". The Music. 5 September 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  60. ^ "Genesis Owusu And Amyl & The Sniffers Win Big At The 2023 National Live Music Awards". The Music. 11 October 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
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