Two names synonymous with Victorian music will have their immense contributions to the industry formally recognised this year at the Music Victoria Awards.
Music Victoria has confirmed that Melbourne multi-instrumentalist, composer and sound designer of post punk groups Whirlywirld, Orchestra of Skin and Bone, and No, Ollie Olsen, and Australian youth music organisation, The Push, will be inducted into the Music Victoria Hall of Fame in 2024 at the Music Victoria Awards.
Music Victoria Awards
- When: Thursday 24 October 2024
- Where: The Edge, Federation Square
- Stream: Sign up here.
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
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It is hard to quantify the influence Ollie Olsen has had on Australian music. From the short-lived punk outfit The Young Charlatans with Rowland S Howard (77-78) to the more avant-garde post-punk Whirlywirld (78-80) with future Models keyboardist Andrew Duffield and countless bands and projects thereafter including Orchestra of Skin and Bone (84-86), NO (87-89) Max Q with Michael Hutchence (89-90), Third Eye, Hugo Klang, Primitive Ghost, Taipan Tiger Girls and so many more.
“Ollie Olsen is easily the people’s choice for a Hall of Fame induction” says Music Victoria CEO Simone Schinkel , “Music Victoria has been overwhelmed with calls for his induction dating back many years. He is a true artist and visionary in every sense of the word, consistently forging his own path, delivering groundbreaking sounds with each new decade, influencing generations of musicians, and we’re proud to celebrate his enduring legacy.”
Olsen has had a rough run with health over the last 5 years. In 2020 Olsen was diagnosed with multiple system atrophy (MSA). Over the last two weeks, the music legend took a turn and has been in hospital recovering from heart-related issues. The induction comes at a time when friends, family and fans are rallying behind Olsen to make a speedy recovery.
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Also receiving the recognition at the Music Victoria Awards is The Push. Australian youth music organisation The Push has supported millions of young people with access to contemporary music programs and events over almost four decades. Fostering a pipeline for young people into the contemporary music sector as artists, audiences and industry practitioners, The Push has kick started the careers of some of Australia’s most prominent artists, including: The Living End, Magic Dirt, Spiderbait, Jebediah, Killing Heidi, Silverchair and Something For Kate, and more recently: Courtney Barnett, Baker Boy, Mallrat, Alex Lahey, Teenage Joans and Allday.
“As The Push embarks on their next chapter by expanding beyond Victoria to become a nationally operating organisation, it is the perfect time to acknowledge their significant contribution to the strength that we see in the Victorian music industry today. A lot of people’s journey in the music industry began at an all ages gig in their teens – and those first time opportunities would simply not be possible if it wasn’t for The Push“ says Schinkel of the imminent induction.
The Push are currently involved in the Always Live program, running all-ages shows across regional Victoria in Horsham, Wangaratta, Bendigo and Geelong with The Rions, Teenage Joans, Pacific Avenue, Jem Cassar-Daley, South Summit and more.
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Both Ollie Olsen and The Push will be formally recognised at the Music Victoria Awards ceremony on Thursday 24 October at The Edge in Fed Square.
Music Victoria are also pleased to announce that after working with closely with an all First Nations guidance group including Uncle Kutcha Edwards, Uncle Robbie Bundle, Amos Roach, Neil Morris (DRMNGNOW), Allara Briggs Pattison, Candice Lorrae, Amy Dowd (Bumpy), Kee’ahn Bindol, and Charlie Woodes (Charlie Needs Braces) this year’s Music Victoria Awards will feature the newly created Footprint Award.
This new Award is for and from mob, acknowledging a musical artist who (perhaps unbeknownst to themselves) has created a lasting legacy through their music, as well as their actions. The winner of the inaugural Footprint Award will be revealed on Thursday 24 October.
Find out more about the Music Victoria Awards here and jump on the live stream here.
