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Dance Music Awards 2001

Author: Jo Vraca
Thursday, August 30, 2001
Melbourne's favourite sons, The Avalanches, swept the second annual Dance Music Awards at Sydney's Metro in front of a vocal audience of media and dance music industry representatives on Wednesday night.

The casually-attired cyber chic crowd enthusiastically welcomed performers including our own DJs Phil K and Ransom along with Infusion and The Hip Hop Posse All Star Jam featuring members of Reference Point, Resin Dogs, Koolism, Celcius and Meta Bass'n'Breath.

In one of the shortest ceremonies of its kind, compared to the tedium of the Grammys and the Arias, hosts Merrick and Rosso bounded relentlessly through hilarious material as the pair unashamedly admitted their lack of knowledge about all things dance. They were a worthy follow on to last year's host Adam Spencer of the Triple J morning show.

Melbourne proved to be a big winner on the night despite much controversy prior to the event regarding the awards' relevance to our city. Initial criticism directed at the awards had focused on the apparent Sydney-bias in the nomination process, however, public online voting won the day for Melbourne artists. Of the thirteen awards with Melbourne representation, nine were picked up with firm favourites, The Avalanches not surprisingly winning each of the five awards for which they were nominated.. The band casually accepted their awards from their tour bus somewhere in Europe where they are playing sell out shows throughout the northern summer.

Other big names to collect DMAs included Vicious Vinyl, the Melbourne label headed by Madison Avenue's Andy Van as well as Paul Mac (one half of Aria award winning Itchee and Scratchee) who has recently been working with Silverchair's Daniel Johns as the dance/rock crossover act, 'I Can't Believe It's Not Rock'. Love Tattoo's Stephen Allkins whose single 'The Bass has got me moving' is currently making huge waves in the Australian charts was awarded Outstanding Contribution to Dance, honouring his 25 year career as a DJ and producer.

After some very short, punchy speeches, without a single mention of God or Jesus, the DJs, producers, journalists, label reps, TV and radio hosts got down to the serious part of the night, the all-important drinks, schmoozing and dancing that the dance industry does so well.

The Winners
Best Website - www.inthemix.com.au
Best Video - The Avalanches, 'Since I Left You'
Best Radio Show - 'The Friday Tapes on Kiss FM hosted by Phil K
Best Hip Hop Act - Resin Dogs
Best DJ - Kid Kenobi (Sydney)
Best Debut Artist - The Avalanches
Best Dance Compilation - 'Sound Not Scene' mixed by Phil K (Global Recordings)
Best Album - The Avalanches 'Since I Left You'
Best Club Night - Sublime (Sydney)
Best Producer - Paul Mac
Best Turntablist - DJ Dexta
Best Independent Label - Vicious Vinyl
Best Live Act - The Avalanches
People's Choice Awards for Best DJ in each state:
VIC - Sean Quinn
WA - Stephen Mallinder
SA - Mobin Master
NSW - Kid Kenobi
QLD - Jen-E
People's Choice Award for Best Event - Vibes on a Summer's Day (national tour)
Outstanding Contribution to Dance Music - Stephen Allkins
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