Fun Machine, Dylan Hekimian, dominate ACT awards

Power pop band Fun Machine and Indie folk singer-songwriter Dylan Hekimian scored two wins each at the second MusicACT Annual Music Awards (MAMAs) on Saturday night.

The event drew 700 to the heritage Albert Hall which was lit up to a psychedelic effect.

Fun Machine, who were nominated in four categories, won Best Artist of 2013 while their triple j-played Ready For The Fight took Song of the Year. The wins came on the eve of the release of their debut album Bodies On.

Hekimian, known for also using his guitar as a percussive instrument, scored with Best Youth Artist of 2013 and Best Live Performer.

Super Best Friends, who won two gongs last year, were named the Best Rock Artist for the year with Elisa Bones. This year the video for SBF’s song Round And Round went viral after featuring the who’s who of Australian politics, including Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott.

Other winners included The Aston Shuffle & Ashlet Feraude (house, electro or techno), Ben Colin (bass music producer), Big Dave (urban), Xavier Dunn (folk), Revellers (heavy), SAFIA (alt), Liam Budge (jazz), Amber Nichols (pop), Disect (psychedelic electronic), Guyy Lilleyman (blues, roots or world), The Steptones (live youth band), Aphir (choral/vocal), Adam Cook (classical), Canberra City Band (brass) and Party Gravy (cover).

The Ideas Of North, the a capella vocal ensemble which formed in 1993, were inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Theatre and film composer and head of composing at the ANU School of Music, Jim Cotter, and arts producer, DJ and broadcaster Frank Madrid were lauded for their contribution to the ACT music industry.

Zierholz at UC got the public vote for Best Live Music Venue. and Dax Liniere, who runs Puzzle Factory Sound Studio, was recognised in the studio/ engineer / producer category.

For details of the night at musicact.com.au/mamas.