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Tiddas (band)

From Alfawiki
Tiddas
Company typeMusic group
IndustryMusic
Founded1990
Headquarters
Victoria
,
Australia
ProductsFolk music albums and singles

Tiddas was a female folk music trio originating from Victoria, Australia.

1990–1992: Formation and Inside My Kitchen

In 1990, Amy Saunders, a Gunditjmara woman, Lou Bennett, who identifies as Yorta Yorta Dja Dja Wurrung, and Sally Dastey joined forces as backing vocalists for the Aboriginal ensemble Djaambi, which was led by Saunders' brother Richard Frankland. Their performance at 'Hot Jam Cooking', an event celebrating women's creative accomplishments in Richmond, Victoria, led to Ruby Hunter bestowing upon them the name Tiddas, meaning "sisters" in the Koori language.

After performing together for more than a year, Paul Petran, host of ABC National Radio's 'Music Deli', assisted them in recording their first EP, Inside My Kitchen, which was released in October 1992. This debut earned two nominations at the ARIA Music Awards of 1993 for Best New Talent and Best Indigenous Release. The EP's single reached number 145 on the ARIA charts.

1993–1997: Sing About Life and self-titled album

Tiddas quickly became popular live performers, touring alongside groups such as Sweet Honey in the Rock and Midnight Oil. They incorporated didgeridoo player Tim "Froggie" Holtze into their lineup for their debut full-length album, Sing About Life, which came out in November 1993.[1] The album climbed to No. 36 on the ARIA charts, achieved gold certification in Australia with sales of 35,000 copies,[1] was nominated for Breakthrough Artist – Album, and won Best Indigenous Record at the ARIA Music Awards of 1994.[2] Their touring schedule included both national and international appearances, such as performances at WOMAD festivals. The album was introduced to the US market in September 1995, followed by tours across North America and Europe.[1]

Their sophomore studio effort, titled Tiddas and produced by Joe Camilleri, was released in August 1996 and reached No. 26 on the ARIA charts.[3] It earned a nomination for Best Indigenous Release at the ARIA Music Awards of 1997.[2] The lead single, "Ignorance is Bliss", was inspired by a disagreement with Bob Geldof during their 1993 tour.[1] Supporting musicians featured Jen Anderson on violin, Joe Camilleri on saxophone, Peter Luscombe on drums, Steve Hadley on bass guitar, and Mark "Squeezebox Wally" Wallace playing piano accordion. A follow-up single titled "Walk Alone" was released in 1997.[1]

1998–2000: Later works and disbandment

In 1998, Tiddas provided vocals for the track "Yil Lull", recorded under the collective Singers For The Red Black & Gold. Their third studio album, Lethal By the Kilo, was laid down at Melbourne's ABC studios late that year. However, due to limited promotional efforts by their label, it did not enter the charts.[4] On 11 September 1999, they performed live at Continental Café; this recording was subsequently issued as Show Us Ya Tiddas later that same year.[5]

In May 2000, Tiddas announced their decision to part ways and embarked on a farewell tour across Australia.[5][4] That year they were honoured with a Deadly Award recognizing their Outstanding Contribution to Aboriginal Music.[6]

2018: Reunion and NIMA Hall of Fame Recognition

In 2018, the group came together once more for a special nationwide tour to promote Archie Roach's album Dancing with My Spirit, which had been recorded during the 1990s but only saw release in April 2018.

By August 2019, Tiddas had been honored with induction into the National Indigenous Music Awards Hall of Fame.

Members

Studio albums

Studio albums overview including release information and chart rankings
Album Title Album Information Highest Chart Positions
AUS
Sing About Life
  • Release date: November 1993
  • Record label: Polygram (518 3482)
  • Available formats: CD, Cassette
 36
Tiddas
  • Release date: 5 August 1996
  • Label: Black Pig/Polygram (532799-2)
  • Formats: CD
 26
Lethal By the Kilo
  • Released: September 1998
  • Label: Mercury Music (538 277-2)
  • Formats: CD
 192

Live albums

Live album details with selected chart performance
Album Title Album Details
Show Us Ya Tiddas
  • Release year: 1999
  • Label: Festival Music (23768185)
  • Format: CD

Extended plays

Extended plays with release information and chart data
EP Title EP Information Peak Chart Positions
AUS
Inside My Kitchen
  • Released: October 1992
  • Label: Black Heart Music (ID 0002-2)
  • Format: CD
 193

Singles

Singles listing including peak chart positions and associated albums
Single Title Year Released Highest Chart Position Corresponding Album
AUS
"Inside My Kitchen" 1992 145 Inside My Kitchen
"Waiting" 1993 88 Sing About Life
"Real World" 1994 148
"Changing Times" 1995 148
"Ignorance is Bliss" 1996 97 Tiddas
"Walk Alone" 1997 —
"Yil Lull"
(credited as Singers For The Red Black & Gold) 		1998 — non-album single


ARIA Awards

The ARIA Music Awards, hosted yearly by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), celebrate outstanding achievement and creativity within Australian music. Since their beginning in 1987, Tiddas has received one ARIA Award from a total of six nominations.


|- | rowspan="2"| 1993 || rowspan="2"| Inside My Kitchen || ARIA Award for Best New Talent || |- | ARIA Award for Best Indigenous Release || |- | rowspan="2"| 1994 || rowspan="2"| Sing About Life || ARIA Award for Best Indigenous Release || |- | ARIA Award for Breakthrough Artist – Album || |- | 1995 || "Changing Times" || ARIA Award for Best Indigenous Release || |- | 1997 || Tiddas || ARIA Award for Best Indigenous Release || |}


Australian Women in Music Awards

The Australian Women in Music Awards, inaugurated in 2018, annually acknowledge exceptional women who have made notable impacts within the Australian music industry.


|- | 2018 | Tiddas | Auriel Andrew Memorial Award |


Deadly Awards

From 1996 until 2013, the Deadly Awards recognized achievements by Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals across music, sports, entertainment, and community sectors.


|- | 1996 | "themselves" | Band of the Year | |- | 1997 | "Ignorance is Bliss" | Single Release of the Year | |- | 1999 | "My Island Home" | Excellence in Film or Theatrical Score | |- | 2000 | "themselves" | Outstanding Contribution to Music |


National Indigenous Music Awards

Established in 2004, the National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMA) celebrate excellence and innovation within the music scene of the Northern Territory.


|- | 2019 | themselves | Hall of Fame Inductee |

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named AllMusic
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named ARIA
  3. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named AusCharts
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Howl
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Age
  6. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Deadlys 2000 winners
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