King Stingray Win 2022 Australian Music Prize

The debut studio album from Yolŋu surf rock outfit King Stingray has been awarded the coveted Australian Music Prize.

The widely acclaimed self-titled record from the rockers was vying for the title and its accompanying $30,000 cash prize alongside 2022 releases from 1300, Body Type, Camp Cope, Julia Jacklin, Laura Jean, Party Dozen, Sampa The Great and Tasman Keith.

King Stingray’s Roy Kellaway and Dimathaya Burarrwanga flew into Sydney to attend this evening’s 18th annual ceremony at Oxford Art Factory.

“We're so unbelievably stoked to have won the 18th AMP,” King Stingray said.

“We had so much fun making this record and we just hope that listeners can hear the joy that we had making it, as well as feel the joy for themselves.

“It really means the world to us to hear people enjoying the album and we have so many people to thank: our manager Stu; our family who support us all the way; the Yirrkala and Nhulunbuy community; Kris Keough; Casey from Select Music; our publicist Bec from Deathproof; Dan, Craig and Damo from Sony Music Publishing; Jack, Leigh and Stu from Cooking Vinyl Australia.

“And of course, a massive thanks to all the judges of The AMP. The list goes on! Thanks everyone! Rock on!" 

King Stingray, which features lyrics in both English and Yolŋu Matha, debuted at #6 on the ARIA Albums Chart upon release, was nominated for Australian Album of the Year at the J Awards, and saw the band nominated for Album of the Year, Best Group, Best Rock Album, Best Cover Art and Breakthrough Artist at the ARIA Awards, the latter of which they won.

A judging panel of over 30 industry experts went through 490 eligible 2022 releases, 98 of which made the longlist before being narrowed down to a Top 9.

“When we appoint judges we don't tell them how to judge, or what we're looking for. We simply say that this prize is about the album format (so don't base your judgement on 1, 2 or 3 tracks) and that originality is the number one consideration,” AMP Founder/Director Scott Murphy said.

“King Stingray - the band - are wonderfully original and their 2022, debut album certainly tells us this. Well done King Stingray and your support team.”

Judge Phil Jamieson added: "King Stingray’s debut album didn’t jump out at me immediately, unlike some of the other records on what is an incredible shortlist of nine. Over time, I began to admire the beauty, joy and deft instrumental manoeuvres; a record full of bloody gorgeous arrangements! Turns out, I AM a sucker for a debut — it’s my favourite album of the crop.”

PREVIOUS AUSTRALIAN MUSIC PRIZE RECIPIENTS

2021 – Genesis Owusu – Smiling With No Teeth
2020 - The Avalanches - We Will Always Love You
2019 - Sampa the Great - The Return
2018 - Gurrumul - Djarimirri
2017 - Sampa the Great - Birds and the BEE9
2016 - A.B. Original - Reclaim Australia
2015 - Courtney Barnett - Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit
2014 - REMI - Raw X Infinity
2013 - Big Scary - Not Art
2012 - Hermitude - HyperParadise
2011 - The Jezabels - Prisoner
2010 - Cloud Control - Bliss Release
2009 - Lisa Mitchell - Wonder
2008 - Eddy Current Suppression Ring - Primary Colours
2007 - The Mess Hall - Devils Elbow
2006 - Augie March, Moo - You Bloody Choir
2005 - The Drones - Wait Long by the River and the Bodies of Your Enemies Will Float By