Budjerah

For his self-titled extended play, see Budjerah (EP).

Budjerah
Budjerah in 2022
Background information
Birth nameBudjerah Julum Slabb
Born (2002-03-17) 17 March 2002 (age 22)
Fingal Head, New South Wales, Australia
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • musician
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • piano
  • Guitar
Years active2019–present
LabelsWarner Music Australia (2020–present)
Websitebudjerah.com

Budjerah Julum Slabb (/ˈbʊdʒəˌrʌ/ BUUJ-ə-ruh;[1] born 17 March 2002), known mononymously as Budjerah, is an Australian singer from Fingal Head, New South Wales.[2] He is a Coodjinburra man from the Bundjalung nation.[3]

His debut single "Missing You" was released in October 2020. Budjerah performed the track live for Australian live music program The Sound on 6 December 2020.[4] After winning the Michael Gudinski Breakthrough Artist award at the 2021 ARIA Awards,[5] Budjerah went on to release his debut EP Conversations in April 2022 and launched his first-ever global tour.[6]

In 2023, Budjerah, won the Artist of the Year award at the National Indigenous Music Awards.[7]

Early life

[edit]

Budjerah Julum Slabb was born on 17 March 2002 in Fingal Head, New South Wales.[8][9] His parents are licensed pastors. Budjerah told NME "When I was born... it was like 'oh, we gotta do band rehearsal, we gotta do worship practice for Sunday' and I'd come along to that. I think just being surrounded by that, I learned a lot and it just stuck. I've just lived music all my life."[10]

Budjerah said "I grew up singing Sam Cooke and listening to gospel singers like The Clark Sisters. That's the kind of music that has been around since I was little."[11]

Career

[edit]

2019–2021: Debut EP

[edit]
Main article: Budjerah (EP)

In 2019, Budjerah auditioned for The Voice (Australian season 8), singing "Climb Every Mountain" but did not progress past the blind auditions.[12]

In September 2019, he uploaded the song "River Dry" onto Triple J Unearthed.[3]

In 2020, Budjerah found kinship with Matt Corby, who produced his debut EP.[13] In October 2020, Budjerah released his debut single, "Missing You" which topped the Triple J airplay chart.[3]

Hayden Davies from Pilerats said "Missing You is a spectacular introductory moment for Budjerah that combines pockets of his life with the music that defined it, bringing together a tapestry of long-time influences spread through soul, hip-hop, R&B, indie and pop only to distil it into a sound that seemingly moves between all of them, capturing the multi-faceted musical brain of someone whose moment has been a long time coming."[14]

In March 2021, Apple Music announced Budjerah as its latest local Up Next artist, an initiative to identify and showcase rising talent from across Australia and New Zealand. Budjerah said "I'm really excited to be included in Up Next Local on Apple Music for my brand new EP which I wrote with Matt Corby at his studio just down the road from my house. The songs are about different times in my life and all the different emotions that I feel."[13]

His self-titled debut EP was released on 26 March 2021.

In May 2021, Budjerah released Budjerah (Live At Rainbow Valley) which was recorded at Matt Corby's titular studio and features a live rendition of each of the four tracks on Budjerah's self-titled debut EP. In addition to Corby, fellow artists Ngaiire, Ainslie Wills, JK-47 and Stevan feature on the new EP.[15]

In August 2021, a limited edition CD of the self-titled EP was released.[16] At the 2021 ARIA Music Awards, Budjerah won the ARIA Award for Breakthrough Artist – Release.

On 26 November 2021, Budjerah released "Wash My Sorrows Away".[17]

2022–present: Conversations

[edit]
Main article: Conversations (Budjerah EP)

On 25 February 2022, Budjerah announced the release of his forthcoming EP Conversations, released on 8 April 2022 alongside his debut world tour.[18]

His single "Ready for the Sky" was released in July 2022 has been dubbed "irresistibly smooth"[19] and "a warm slice of soul"[19] that showcases "Budjerah's immersive vocal and lyrical skills."[20]

Budjerah supported Ed Sheeran on his 2023 Australian tour. In February 2023, Budjerah released "Therapy". About the track, Budjerah said "Therapy can come in many forms, but taking a step back and getting an outside perspective is something that has helped me."[21]

Budjerah also released single "Video Game" with the lyrics co-written by Meg Mac, Matt Corby, and Chris Collins.[22]

In June 2023, Budjerah released a cover of Crowded House's "Better Be Home Soon" with WILSN, as part of Mushroom Records' 50th anniversary celebration.[23]

Discography

[edit]

Extended plays

[edit]
List of EPs, with release date and label shown
Title EP details Peak chart positions
AUS
[24]
Budjerah 72
Budjerah (Live at Rainbow Valley)
  • Released: 14 May 2021[26]
  • Label: Warner Music Australia
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
Conversations
  • Released: 8 April 2022[18]
  • Label: Warner Music Australia
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
 97

Singles

[edit]

As lead artist

[edit]
List of singles, with year released, selected chart positions, and album name shown
Year Title Peak chart positions Certification Album
NZ
Hot
[27]
"Missing You"[28] 2020 — Budjerah
"Higher"[29] 2021 —
"Stranger Love"
(with Pnau)[30] 		34 TBA
"Talk"
(with May-a)[31] 		— Conversations
"Wash My Sorrows Away"[17] —
"What Should I Do?"[18] 2022 —
"Get Down"[32] —
"Ready for the Sky"[33] — TBA
"Sweet Disposition"
(with Ngaiire and Gretta Ray)[34] 		— Non-album singles
"Who Would Imagine a King"[35] —
"Therapy"[21] 2023 — TBA
"Better Be Home Soon"
(with WILSN)[23] 		— Mushroom: Fifty Years of Making Noise (Reimagined)
"Video Game"[37] — TBA
"Is It Ever Gonna Make Sense"[38] 2024 —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released.
[edit]
List of singles, with year released and album name shown
Year Title Album
2023 "Heavy Love"
(KYE featuring Budjerah)[39] 		Ribena

Other appearances

[edit]
List of other non-single song appearances
Title Year Album
"The Way"
(with Matt Corby) 		2023 Faraway Downs (Soundtrack)

Music videos

[edit]
List of music videos, with title, year released, and director(s) shown
Year Title Director(s) Ref.
2020 "Missing You" Mos & Co [40]
2021 "Higher" Mick Soiza [41]
"Stranger Love" (with PNAU) Tyler Hinde [42]
"Talk" (with May-a) Bourtney Crookes [31]
2022 "What Should I Do?" Mick Soiza [43]
"Get Down" Tatjana Hamilton [44]
"Ready for the Sky" (Live at Bakehouse Studios) Michael Ridley [45]
2023 "Therapy" Murli Dhir [46]
"Video Game"
"Heavy Love" (KYE featuring Budjerah)
"Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)"
(featuring Amazon Playmakers) 		[47]
2024 "Is It Ever Gonna Make Sense"

Awards and nominations

[edit]

AIR Awards

[edit]

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.
2022 "Stranger Love" (with PNAU) Best Independent Dance, Electronica or Club Single Nominated [48][49]

APRA Awards

[edit]

The APRA Awards are held in Australia and New Zealand by the Australasian Performing Right Association to recognise songwriting skills, sales and airplay performance by its members annually.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2022 Budjerah Slabb Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year Nominated [50][51]
"Higher" (Budjerah Slabb, Matt Corby) Most Performed R&B/Soul Work of the Year Won
Song of the Year Shortlisted [52]
2023 "Ready for the Sky" (Budjerah, Ainslie Wills) Song of the Year Shortlisted [53]
Budjerah Slabb Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year Nominated [54]
2024 "Therapy" (Sarah Aarons, Ajay Bhattacharyya) Song of the Year Nominated [55][56]
Most Performed Australian Work Nominated
"Ready for the Sky" (Budjerah, Ainslie Wills) Nominated
Most Performed Pop Work Nominated
"Therapy" (Sarah Aarons, Ajay Bhattacharyya) Nominated

ARIA Music Awards

[edit]

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual ceremony presented by Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), which recognise excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of the music of Australia. They commenced in 1987.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2021 Budjerah Best Artist Nominated [57][58]
Breakthrough Artist Won
Best Soul/R&B Release Nominated
Mike Soiza for Budjerah – "Higher" Best Video Nominated
Budjerah 2021 Aus Tour Best Australian Live Act Nominated
Matt Corby for Budjerah – Budjerah (EP) Producer of the Year Nominated
Engineer of the Year Nominated
Chris Collins for Budjerah – Budjerah (EP) Nominated
2022 Conversations Best Solo Artist Nominated [59][60]
Best Soul/R&B Release Won
The Conversations Australian Tour Best Australian Live Act Nominated
Dann Hume & Eric J Dubowsky for Budjerah – Conversations Mix Engineer – Best Mixed Album Nominated
2023 "2step" by Ed Sheeran (featuring Budjerah) Best Solo Artist Nominated [61]
"Therapy" Best Pop Release Nominated
Song of the Year Nominated
Murli Dhir and Made In Katana Studios for Budjerah – "Therapy" Best Video Nominated
Budjerah Australian Tour Best Australian Live Act Nominated
2024 "Is It Ever Gonna Make Sense" Best Video Pending [62]

National Indigenous Music Awards

[edit]

The National Indigenous Music Awards recognise excellence, innovation and leadership among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians from throughout Australia. They commenced in 2004.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2021 Himself New Artist of the Year Won [63][64]
2023 Himself Artist of the Year Won [65][66]
"Therapy" Song of the Year Nominated
"Therapy" Film Clip of the Year Nominated
2024 Himself Artist of the Year Nominated [67]
"Video Game" Song of the Year Nominated

National Live Music Awards

[edit]

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 Budjerah Best R&B or Soul Act Nominated [68][69]
Budjerah Best Live Voice in NSW Nominated

Rolling Stone Australia Awards

[edit]

The Rolling Stone Australia Awards are awarded annually in January or February by the Australian edition of Rolling Stone magazine for outstanding contributions to popular culture in the previous year.[70]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2023 "Ready for the Sky" Best Single Nominated [71][72]
Budjerah Best New Artist Won
2024 "Therapy" Best Single Nominated [73]

Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition

[edit]

The Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition is an annual competition that "acknowledges great songwriting whilst supporting and raising money for Nordoff-Robbins" and is coordinated by Albert Music and APRA AMCOS. It commenced in 2009.[74]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2022 "Ready for the Sky" Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition 2nd [75]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Cup Of Tea With Budjerah". Warner Music New Zealand. 9 December 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2023 – via YouTube.
  2. ^ Carr, Teressia (18 September 2023). "Budjerah on being remembered and embracing old age". RUSSH. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  3. ^ a b c "Budjerah JJJ Unearthed". Triple J Unearthed. 30 September 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  4. ^ "The Sound: Series Two, Episode 6 – Mick Molloy". ABC iview. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  5. ^ Langford, Jackson (24 November 2021). "Budjerah performs 'Missing You' before giving tearful speech at the 2021 ARIAs". NME. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  6. ^ Brereton, Greta (24 February 2022). "Budjerah announces 'Conversations' EP, shares new single 'What Should I Do?'". NME. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  7. ^ Brissenden, Neve (12 August 2023). "Budjerah takes out top gong at Indigenous Music Awards". National Indigenous Times.
  8. ^ Campbell, Amy (30 June 2022). "Meet Budjerah, the budding Australian superstar you need to know". Vogue Australia. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  9. ^ Budjerah (17 March 2022). "I'm 20 today! 🦖 Hope I haven't peaked yet 🎂". Archived from the original on 23 April 2023. Retrieved 23 April 2023 – via Facebook.
  10. ^ Caleb Triscari (25 March 2021). "Budjerah: Soulful singer-songwriter and Matt Corby mentee offers vibey, relatable R&B". NME. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  11. ^ "About". www.budjerah.com/. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  12. ^ "The Blind Auditions: Budjerah Slabb sings 'Climb Every Mountain' The Voice Australia 2019". YouTUbe. 20 May 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  13. ^ a b "Apple Music picks Budjerah as its latest local Up Next artist". The Music Network. 26 March 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  14. ^ "Meet Budjerah, who emerges with one of the year's best debut singles, Missing You". PileRats. October 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  15. ^ "Budjerah releases Live At Rainbow Valley EP featuring Matt Corby and more". NME. 14 May 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  16. ^ "Budjerah (EP, T-Shirt and Zine)". warnermusic.com.au. August 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  17. ^ a b Kennedy, Jade (26 November 2021). "Budjerah releases new single "Wash My Sorrows Away" after NIMA and ARIA wins". Tone Deaf. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  18. ^ a b c Brereton, Greta (25 February 2022). "Budjerah announces Conversations EP, shares new single "What Should I Do?"". NME. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  19. ^ a b "Listen: Budjerah - Ready For The Sky". PILERATS. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  20. ^ "Budjerah Releases New Single 'Ready For The Sky'". Music Feeds. 22 July 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  21. ^ a b "Budjerah let's it all out on new single 'Therapy'". National Indigenous Times. 10 February 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  22. ^ Guenzler, Joseph (18 July 2023). "Budjerah not playing around with new single Video Game". National Indigenous Times.
  23. ^ a b "Listen: Budjerah and WILSN Combine to Cover Crowded House for Mushroom 50". Rolling Stone Australia. 30 June 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
  24. ^ Peaks in Australia:
    • Budjerah: "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 6 September 2021". The ARIA Report. No. 1644. Australian Recording Industry Association. 6 September 2021. p. 6.
    • Conversations: "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 18 April 2022". The ARIA Report. No. 1676. Australian Recording Industry Association. 18 April 2022. p. 6.
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  27. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 6 June 2021. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  28. ^ "Missing You – Single by Budjerah on Apple Music". Apple Music. 28 October 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  29. ^ "Higher – Single by Budjerah on Apple Music". Apple Music. 18 February 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  30. ^ Brereton, Greta (28 May 2021). "Check out Budjerah and PNAU's new collaborative track "Stranger Love"". NME Australia. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  31. ^ a b Triscari, Caleb (23 September 2021). "Budjerah joins forces with MAY-A on new pop single "Talk"". NME Australia. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  32. ^ "New Aus Music Playlist ADDITIONS – 08/04/22". Music Feeds. 8 April 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  33. ^ "Budjerah Releases New Single 'Ready For The Sky'". MusicFeeds. 22 July 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  34. ^ "Sweet Disposition – Single by Budjerah, Ngaiire and Gretta Ray on Apple Music". Apple Music. 23 September 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  35. ^ "Amy Shark and Budjerah cover two Christmas classics". ToneDeaf. 11 November 2022. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  36. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  37. ^ "Budjerah Shares New Single, 'Video Game'". Music Feeds. 18 July 2023. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  38. ^ "Budjerah Explodes Back onto the Scene with 'Is It Ever Gonna Make Sense' and the Therapy Sessions Tour". Music Feeds. 17 July 2024. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  39. ^ "KYE, The Vanns & More: This Week's Best New Music". The Music. 12 May 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  40. ^ "Budjerah - Missing You (Official Music Video)". YouTube. 28 October 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  41. ^ "Budjerah - Higher (Official Video)". YouTube. 25 March 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  42. ^ "PNAU - Stranger Love feat. Budjerah (Official Video)". YouTube. 28 May 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  43. ^ "Budjerah - What Should I Do? (Official Music Video)". YouTube. 24 February 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  44. ^ "Budjerah - Get Down (Official Music Video)". YouTube. 4 May 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  45. ^ "Budjerah - Ready For The Sky (Live at Bakehouse Studios)". YouTube. 9 September 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  46. ^ "Budjerah - Therapy (Official Music Video)". YouTube. 9 February 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  47. ^ Ellie Robinson, Mary Varvaris (14 December 2023). "Best New Australian Christmas Songs: The Wiggles, TISM & More". The Music. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  48. ^ "Nominees Announced For AIR Independent Music Awards 2022". musicfeeds. 1 June 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  49. ^ Tyler Jenke (5 August 2022). "Genesis Owusu Wins Big At The 2022 AIR Awards". MusicFeeds. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  50. ^ "Nominees Revealed for 2022 APRA Music Awards". The Industry Observer. 7 April 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  51. ^ "40th APRA Music Awards celebrates songwriting superstars". APRA AMCOS. 3 May 2022. Archived from the original on 4 May 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  52. ^ "2022 Peer-Voted APRA Song of the Year shortlist revealed!". APRA AMCOS. 3 February 2022. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  53. ^ "These 20 songs are up for 2023 APRA Song Of The Year". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 25 January 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  54. ^ "Nominees revealed for the 2023 APRA Music Awards". APRA Awards. 30 March 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  55. ^ "G Flip, Genesis Owusu, RVG & More Shortlisted For 2024 APRA Song Of The Year". The Music. 22 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  56. ^ "2024 APRA Music Awards nominees announced: Paul Kelly, Troye Sivan, Tex Perkins, and more". Mumbrella. 4 April 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  57. ^ Kelly, Vivienne (20 October 2021). "ARIA Awards nominees revealed: Amy Shark & Genesis Owusu lead the charge". The Music Network. Archived from the original on 20 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  58. ^ "Genesis Owusu, The Kid Laroi, Spacey Jane, RÜFÜS DU SOL big winners at the 2021 ARIA Awards in partnership with YouTube Music". Australian Recording Industry Association. 24 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  59. ^ Lars Brandle (12 October 2022). "Rüfüs Du Sol Leads 2022 ARIA Awards Nominees (Full List)". The Music Network. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  60. ^ Newstead, Al (24 November 2022). "ARIA Awards 2022 Winners Wrap: Baker Boy Leads First Nations Sweep". Triple J (Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)). Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  61. ^ "Nominees Announced for 2023 ARIA Awards". Music Feeds. 21 September 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  62. ^ "ARIA Awards 2024 nominations — everything you need to know". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 26 September 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  63. ^ Cashmere, Paul (8 July 2021). "NIMA Nominees Revealed". noise11. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  64. ^ "The Kid LAROI, JK-47 lead National Indigenous Music Award winners". ABC. 14 November 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  65. ^ Mary Varvaris (12 July 2023). "Budjerah & Wildfire Manwurrk Lead NIMA Finalist Nominations". The Music. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  66. ^ "Here Are All the Winners from the 2023 National Indigenous Music Awards". Music Feeds. 12 August 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  67. ^ Mary Varvaris (19 July 2024). "The Kid LAROI & Barkaa Lead National Indigenous Music Awards Nominations". The Music. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  68. ^ "Nominees Announced For The 2023 National Live Music Awards". The Music. 5 September 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  69. ^ "Genesis Owusu And Amyl & The Sniffers Win Big At The 2023 National Live Music Awards". The Music. 11 October 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  70. ^ Barnes, Amelia (5 December 2011). "Rolling Stone Magazine Australia announces 3rd annual awards event". The AU Review. Archived from the original on 8 August 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  71. ^ "Amy Shark, The Wiggles & Kylie Minogue Among 2023 Shure Rolling Stone Australia Awards Nominees". Rolling Stone Australia. 1 February 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  72. ^ "All The Winners From The 2023 Rolling Stone Awards". The Music. 5 April 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  73. ^ "Troye Sivan, Kylie Minogue & Dom Dolla Among 2024 Shure Rolling Stone Australia Awards Nominees". Rolling Stone Australia. 4 March 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  74. ^ "About the Vanda Young Global Song Writing Competition". APRA AMCOS. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  75. ^ "King Stingray nab the top gong and over $50k at global songwriting competition". MSN. 8 June 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Budjerah&oldid=1248373750"