Amy Shark | |
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Shark performing in 2023 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as |
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| Born | (1986-05-14)14 May 1986 (age 39) Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia |
| Genres | Indie pop |
| Occupations |
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| Instruments |
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| Years active | 2006–present |
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Spouse | |
| Website | amyshark |
Amy Louise Billings (born 14 May 1986), known professionally asAmy Shark, is an Australianindie pop singer-songwriter from theGold Coast, Queensland. During 2008 to 2012, her early solo material was released and performed under the nameAmy Cushway. Her 2016 single "Adore" peaked at number 3 on theARIA Singles Chart and was also listed at number 2 on theTriple J Hottest 100, 2016. Her albumLove Monster (July 2018) debuted at number 1 on the ARIA Albums Chart. Shark has won 8 ARIA Music Awards from 29 nominations, including winningBest Pop Release three times: in2017 for her extended play,Night Thinker,2018 forLove Monster and2020 for "Everybody Rise".
Amy Shark was born on theGold Coast inQueensland on 14 May 1986.[1] Her mother, Robyn, remarried and raised Shark on the Gold Coast with her stepfather David Cushway and a younger half-sibling.[1] She is of Hungarian and English descent.[2] She attendedSouthport State High School,[3][4] where she performed in theatre, studied film, and played guitar in an all-female punk-band.[1] Also attending that school was singer-songwriterRicki-Lee Coulter.[5] Cushway described her first group, Dorothy's Rainbow and Hansel Kissed Gretel, as "'quite thrashy', though it fell apart when its members splintered. 'I kept going, kept writing songs on my acoustic guitar'."[6][7][8] Her first job was selling T-shirts at a souvenir shop, Gone Troppo.[9] Shark entered a singing competition in 2007, singing “Baby Shark, doo doo doo” at the behest of her then-boyfriend Shane Billings.[2][10] She subsequently performed under various names, including Amy Cushway, Amy Billings, and as Little Sleeper.[1][11]
Amy Shark recorded and performed as Amy Cushway from 2008 to 2012.[12] Her first solo gig was atBurleigh Bears Rugby League Club, where she performed cover versions.[4] Initial solo performances had her singing to an acoustic guitar.[13] In June 2008 Cushway supported gigs byBrianna Carpenter at The Globe and at The Red Brick Hotel,Brisbane.[14][15] She released her debutextended play,I Thought of You Out Loud, which included the track, "Take Time Take Me", in mid-2008 and performed the EP at solo gigs from July.[16] She later described this EP, "[it] was me not knowing any chords but so emotionally drained that I needed something to lift me up and get my blood flowing again."[17] The singer-songwriter made the finals for the2008 Q Songs Awards in August with "Take Time Take Me" for the alternative category.[16] She reflected on her writing style, "It's so much easier and more enjoyable to start from scratch with a song and write it exactly how you want. It sounds selfish, but it's just reality [...] I definitely write songs that the typical ear hasn't heard before, the lyrics are honest and relate to all ages. I'm not trying to write songs solely for radio … I want hard hitting pop rock songs that can be played on radio, whilst having the potential to be blasted through stadiums."[18] She derived inspiration fromTegan and Sara, "they find different ways to deliver the meaning of a song with lyrics that don’t necessarily spell it out."[18] In November the artist backed Rhiannon Hart at Island Vibe Festival, South Brisbane.[19]
Cushway's second EP,Love's Not Anorexic, appeared in mid-2009, supported by a national tour from July.[20] The title attracted criticism from community groups, she explained, "it was not a personal attack on people suffering from anorexia but a good catchy title."[21] Another EP track, "Cool Kids Die", relates to recent acquaintances of her age group who had died, "It's not fair that they were all decent, polite and cool kids. Life isn't fair sometimes."[18] Christie Eliezer ofIn Music & Media described the EP, "Her new tracks see her move from delicate acoustic ballads to thunderous beats, as 'Little Overweight for TV' and 'Breathing on Aeroplanes' streaming on [her website] show. Labels are sniffing..."[21] Whereas the artist felt, "[it's] a slightly grown up version of the one before with a splash of garage electric guitar."[17] She made the finals of the 2009 Q Songs with, "Stupid not To", vying for the Q Music Encouragement Award.[22] In November of that year the artist described her early material, "As much as I enjoy writing intricate acoustic ballads, there's nothing better than adding thunderous beats and raw energy to your set."[20] She was living inVarsity Lakes in April 2010 and explained how, "[record companies] did not ask for demos now, but just asked what her MySpace page was."[23] In late 2010 she formed the band, Fly Boy Fly, with collaborator and bassist, Ryan Nash, and drummer, Tom Moore. "A few people put it into my head, if I ever thought of fronting a band." The band's name "was kind of a mixture of things. I'm a little bit obsessed withPeter Pan andThe Lost Boys, and my partner Shane is very much into war movies... one night we got outFlyboys... [and] threw around some [band] names and that was one of them.[24]"
Cushway described her third EP,Broadway Gossip (October 2010),[25] "this was me returning home to Australia from the United States and thinking I need to experiment with beats."[17][26] Cushway's first album,It's a Happy City appeared in March 2012.[17][27] "It's extremely fun and I recommend it to you, your parents, grandparents or anyone with a pulse" she explained.[17][27] In early 2012 Billings was her talent manager with Rooftop Artist Management.[17] By December 2016, Shark was no longer using the name Cushway, and material under that name had been deleted from her accounts.[27]
During 2013, the artist started using the stage name, Amy Shark, becauseJaws was her favourite film.[citation needed]. In February 2014 she independently released a five-track extended play,Nelson.[28][29] One of its tracks, "Weight of the World", was a finalist at the2013 Queensland Music Awards in the regional category.[30] She activated a new YouTube account, as Amy Shark Music, in 2014 and issued a single, "Spits on Girls", in July.[31]

Shark released her next self-produced single, "Golden Fleece", in October 2015, originally under the name, Little Sleeper.[7][11][32] The singer later explained why she dropped the Little Sleeper name, "I've been in talks with these music supervisors in America ... And they said we'd prefer it if I was playing under the name Amy Shark again."[33] Chris Singh ofThe AU Review observed, "The song, powerful and penetrating in itself, is given visuals both understated and intense as Little Sleeper stands in darkness with her guitar and is progressively drenched in multi-coloured paint."[11] It won Pop Song of the Year at the Queensland Music Awards in 2016, and Shark embarked on a nationwide tour supporting Sydney band, Tigertown in December.[34][35] She received a grant from theCity of Gold Coast council, which allowed her to work with more popular producers.[9] She later recalled how music industry personnel had told her to quit, "Please stop sending unsolicited material to me, your music is no good and it's not something we would be interested in anyway."[36]
In July 2016, she released her next single, "Adore", with co-production by Shark,M-Phazes and Cam Bluff,[37] in addition to a cover version of Silverchair's "Miss You Love" forTriple J's showLike a Version.[38] "Adore" received significant airplay on Triple J, leading to a bidding war between major labels, which was won bySony Music Australia. Shark signed with Wonderlick/Sony in November 2016.[39] Two of her earlier singles, "Spits on Girls" and "Golden Fleece", were re-released by Wonderlick/Sony in 2016.[40][41] "Adore" was listed at number 2 on theTriple J Hottest 100, 2016, behindFlume's "Never Be like You".[42][43][44]
In March 2017, Shark released "Weekends" followed by another EP,Night Thinker (April), which peaked at number 2 on the ARIA Singles Chart. In April she won Artist of the Year and Song of the Year at theGold Coast Music Awards.[45] In November she was namedApple Music's UpNext artist.[46] At theARIA Music Awards of 2017 Shark was nominated for 6 awards and won bothBest Pop Release andBreakthrough Artist forNight Thinker.[47] She performed "Adore" at the ceremony.[47] On 15 November 2017, she appeared onThe Late Late Show with James Corden singing "Adore", and performed it again on 13 March 2018 onThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

In March 2018, Shark provided, "Sink In", for the film soundtrack ofLove, Simon.[48] The related album, by various artists, debuted at No. 37 on theBillboard 200.[49] The following month, she performed at theCommonwealth Gamesclosing ceremony on the Gold Coast, in a duet withArchie Roach and anIndigenous youth choir for a rendition of Roach's "Let Love Rule".[50][51]
On 11 April 2018, Shark premiered a single, "I Said Hi", on Triple J before releasing it the following day.[52] It received unpaid promotion by comedians, and digital radio show hosts, Luke and Lewis using posters, megaphone and a large home-made sign hung up next to the Fox FM Melbourne station logo.[53] That promotion captured the attention of the singer-songwriter who displayed it on her own Instagram account.[54][55] "I Said Hi" peaked at number 6 on the ARIA charts.
Shark's album,Love Monster, was released on 13 July 2018[56] and it debuted at number 1 on the ARIA Charts. The album provided four additional singles, including "Mess Her Up" (March 2019). At theARIA Music Awards of 2018, the artist won four ARIA Music Awards, withAlbum of the Year, Best Pop Release andBest Female Artist forLove Monster, andProducer of the Year forDann Hume and M-Phazes work on "I Said Hi".[47] She was the most nominated artist and equal highest winner in that year.[47]
At the ARIA ceremony, Shark's acceptance speech for Album of the Year included her thanks to "the people who helped make her album. Her producers, her management and the fans." Also attending was her label boss,Denis Handlin, however, "she didn’t thank Handlin, or the Sony label."[57] She had acknowledged them in earlier speeches.[57] According toThe Sydney Morning Herald's Nathanael Cooper, "[Handlin] was furious she hadn’t thanked him or Sony in her speech for the major award."[57] Furthermore, Shark was "required to be in the office early the next morning to publicly apologise for failing to thank" him and the label.[57]
Shark promotedLove Monster during 2019 on her Regional Australia Tour. In December 2019,the Chainsmokers' single, "The Reaper", featured Shark on vocals.[58] At theARIA Music Awards of 2019, she received four more nominations.[47]

For her latest album, Amy Shark worked withEd Sheeran,[59]Diplo,[60]Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins,[60] and the Chainsmokers. On 16 February 2020, Shark performed at theFire Fight Australia fund-raising relief concert in Sydney for the effects of the2019–20 Australian bushfire season.[61] Her live performance of "I Said Hi" appeared on the related album by various artists,Artists Unite for Fire Fight: Concert for National Bushfire Relief (12 March 2020).[62] Thomas Bleach observed that she was, "euphorically telling the world that Australia says hi and thank you for all the support that has been given."[62]
On 6 March 2020, Shark announced a management deal with Redlight's Will Botwin for international markets while husband, Shane Billings continued to manage her for the local market.[63] On 23 October 2020, Shark released a single "C'mon" featuringblink-182 drummerTravis Barker.[64] Alexander Pan ofTone Deaf observed, "[it's] a thumping power-pop ballad that's got a considerable amount of weight behind it."[64] Two days later she performed at the2020 NRL Grand Final atStadium Australia, Sydney.[65] At the2020 ARIA Music Awards, she won Best Pop Release for her single, "Everybody Rise" (June 2020)—marking the third time she'd received the award.[66] Shark performed the track live at the ceremony.[67] She also performed as part of an all-female ensemble, singing "I Am Woman", in honour ofHelen Reddy (1941–2020).[68] At the ceremony, she also won the public-voted category,Best Australian Live Act for her Regional Tour during 2019.[66]
On 4 December 2020, Shark announced her second studio album for Sony,Cry Forever, which was released on 30 April 2021.[69] Shark released the single "All the Lies About Me", alongside the album's announcement and additionally announced a national headline tour for mid-2021.[69] Shark revealed the album's track listing in an interview withRolling Stone Australia' Tyler Jenke on the same day.[70]
"Love Songs Ain't for Us", featuring Australian country musicianKeith Urban, was released on 19 February 2021 as the album's fourth single. The song was co-written with English singerEd Sheeran.[71] At theAPRA Music Awards of 2022 it won Most Performed Country Work.[72] On 19 March 2021, Shark appeared onTriple J'sLike a Version segment, performing a cover ofFall Out Boy's "Sugar, We're Going Down" alongside a performance of her original track "Baby Steps" (marking her debut live performance of the song).[73]
Shark appeared as a contestant on the sixth season ofThe Celebrity Apprentice Australia from May to June 2022, she finished in the top 4.[74][75] The singer released "Sway My Way", a cover version of Bic Runga's "Sway", withR3HAB in July 2022.[76][77] She released her solo single, "Only Wanna Be with You", in October 2022.[78] Shark was a judge for the2023 reboot ofAustralian Idol on theSeven Network,[79][80] and the2024 season.[81] She supported Coldplay's gigs inPerth, Australia in mid-November 2023.[82][83]
Shark's third studio albumSunday Sadness was released on 9 August 2024.
Amy Shark's birth father separated from her mother, Robyn, when Shark was "just a baby, one or two".[1] Upon the success of "Adore", Shark replied to her birth father's attempt to re-establish contact, "Haven't heard from my father in 15 years until now. It must suck knowing ur daughter got all this way on her very own! Now beat it! I'm busy."[1] Of her stepfather, David Cushway, she recalled "I used to call him Dave and I remember the day I said to Mum, 'Do you think I could call Dave "Dad"?' She cried. She said, 'Why don't you go and ask him?' So I went and asked him, and he cried. I was only young but I remember it really well."[1] Early recordings were credited to Amy Cushway (2008–2012).[12][20]
In 2007 Shark met Shane Billings (born 1983 or 1984),[2] a New Zealand-born Gold Coast financial manager; they married on 11 May 2013.[1] Her written material is credited to Amy Louise Billings.[12][84] The couple worked with the localNational Rugby League football club,Gold Coast Titans: Shark as a video editor and Shane managing finances.[1][2] She left that job in November 2016.[28] Shane was also Shark's talent manager until she signed with Jaddan Comerford ofUNIFIED Music Group,[85] and continued as her manager for the local market.[63] The couple were residents ofBroadbeach Waters. They relocated to Sydney by 2021.[86]
In September 2021 Shane founded Rage More Records as a talent management company and recording label.[87] The label's first release is a single "I'm not Giving Up" (September 2021) by IndyAnna Baby,[88] which is co-written by Shark with that artist.[87] Shark cancelled a proposed American tour set for September 2023 due to hospitalisation for an unspecified illness in early August.[89] The artist described having felt discomfort before seeking medical assistance and was due to undergo surgery with a month for recovery.[89][90] By late September the singer performed atEl Rey Theatre, Los Angeles.[91]
Studio albums

Headlining
Supporting
TheARIA Music Awards are a set of annual ceremonies presented byAustralian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), which recognise excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of themusic of Australia. They commenced in 1987. Amy Shark has won 8 awards from 37 nominations;[47] at the 2018 ceremony she received 9 nominations and won 4, heading up the leader board for the year.[47]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Night Thinker | Album of the Year | Nominated | |
| Best Female Artist | Nominated | |||
| Best Pop Release | Won | |||
| Breakthrough Artist | Won | |||
| "Drive You Mad" | Best Video | Nominated | ||
| "Adore" | Song of the Year | Nominated | ||
| 2018 | Love Monster | Album of the Year | Won | |
| Best Female Artist | Won | |||
| Best Pop Release | Won | |||
| "I Said Hi" | Song of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Nicholas Waterman for "I Said Hi" | Best Video | Nominated | ||
| Love Monster Tour | Best Australian Live Act | Nominated | ||
| Steve Wyper forLove Monster | Best Cover Art | Nominated | ||
| Dann Hume & M Phazes for "I Said Hi" | Engineer of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Producer of the Year | Won | |||
| 2019 | "Mess Her Up" | Best Female Artist | Nominated | |
| Best Pop Release | Nominated | |||
| Song of the Year | Nominated | |||
| Amy Shark Australian Tour | Best Australian Live Act | Nominated | ||
| 2020 | "Everybody Rise" | Best Female Artist | Nominated | [66] |
| Best Pop Release | Won | |||
| Amy Shark Regional Tour | Best Australian Live Act | Won | ||
| 2021 | Cry Forever | Album of the Year | Nominated | [92] |
| Best Artist | Nominated | |||
| Best Pop Release | Nominated | |||
| Cry Forever Tour 2021 | Best Australian Live Act | Nominated | ||
| "Love Songs Ain't for Us" (featuring Keith Urban) | Song of the Year | Nominated | ||
| James Chappell for Amy Shark – "Love Songs Ain't for Us" | Video of the Year | Nominated | ||
| M-Phazes for Amy Shark –Cry Forever | Producer of the Year | Nominated | ||
| 2022 | See U Somewhere Australia Tour 2022 | Best Australian Live Act | Nominated | [93] |
| 2023 | "Can I Shower at Yours" | Best Pop Release | Nominated | [94] |
| Mitch Green for Amy Shark – "Can I Shower at Yours" | Best Video | Nominated | ||
| "Sway My Way" (with R3hab) | Song of the Year | Nominated | ||
| 2024 | Sunday Sadness | Album of the Year | Nominated | [95] |
| Best Pop Release | Nominated | |||
| Best Solo Artist | Nominated | |||
| "Beautiful Eyes" - Amy Shark, Marcario De Souza | Best Video | Nominated |
TheAPRA Awards are several award ceremonies run in Australia by theAustralasian Performing Right Association (APRA) to recognise composing and song writing skills, sales and airplay performance by its members annually. Shark was nominated for three categories at the 2018 APRA Awards[96] and at the 2019 awards.[97]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | "Adore" (Amy Billingsp.k.a. Amy Shark, Mark Landonp.k.a.M-Phazes) | Song of the Year | Nominated | [98] |
| 2018 | Pop Work of the Year | Won | [99] | |
| Most Played Australian Work | Nominated | [100] | ||
| "Weekends" (Amy Billingsp.k.a. Amy Shark) | Song of the Year | Nominated | [101] | |
| 2019 | "I Said Hi" (Amy Billingsp.k.a. Amy Shark) | Pop Work of the Year | Won | [102] |
| Most Played Australian Work | Nominated | |||
| Song of the Year | Won | |||
| 2020 | "All Loved Up" (Amy Billingsp.k.a. Amy Shark, Jack Antonoff) | Most Performed Pop Work of the Year | Nominated | [103][104] |
| 2021 | "Everybody Rise" (Amy Billingsp.k.a. Amy Shark andJoel Little) | Song of the Year | Nominated | [105] |
| Most Performed Pop Work | Nominated | |||
| 2022 | "C'Mon" (with Travis Barker) | Most Performed Alternative Work | Nominated | [106][72] |
| "Love Songs Ain't for Us" (with Keith Urban) | Most Performed Country Work | Won | ||
| 2024 | "Can I Shower At Yours" (Amy Billingsp.k.a. Amy Shark) | Song of the Year | Shortlisted | [107] |
| "Only Wanna Be With You" (Amy Billingsp.k.a. Amy Shark), Grant Averill, Joseph Spargur) | Most Performed Australian Work | Nominated | [108] | |
| Most Performed Pop Work | Nominated | |||
| 2025 | "Beautiful Eyes" (Amy Billingsp.k.a. Amy Shark) | Song of the Year | Shortlisted | [109] |
TheAustralian Women in Music Awards is an annual event that celebrates outstanding women in theAustralian Music Industry who have made significant and lasting contributions in their chosen field. They commenced in 2018.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Amy Shark | Breakthrough Artist Award | Won | [110] |
TheCountry Music Awards of Australia is an annual awards night typically held in January during theTamworth Country Music Festival. Celebrating recording excellence in theAustralian country music industry. They commenced in 1973.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | "Love Songs Ain't for Us" (feat. Keith Urban) | (unknown) | Nominated | [111] |
| (unknown) | Nominated |
TheJ Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by theAustralian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio stationTriple J. They commenced in 2005.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Love Monster | Australian Album of the Year | Nominated | [112] |
TheLogie Awards is an annual gathering to celebrate Australian television, sponsored and organised by the magazine TV Week.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Amy Shark | Graham Kennedy Award for Most Popular New Talent | Won | [113] |
TheMTV Europe Music Awards is an award presented byViacom International Media Networks to honour artists and music inpop culture.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | herself | Best Australian Act | Nominated | [114] |
TheNational Live Music Awards (NLMAs) are a broad recognition of Australia's diverse live industry, celebrating the success of the Australian live scene. The awards commenced in 2016.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Amy Shark | Live Act of the Year | Nominated | [115][116] |
| Best New Act of the Year | Won | |||
| Live Pop Act of the Year | Nominated | |||
| Best Live Voice of the Year - People's Choice | Nominated | |||
| Queensland Live Voice of the Year | Won | |||
| 2018 | Amy Shark | Live Pop Act of the Year | Nominated | [117][118] |
| International Live Achievement (Solo) | Nominated | |||
| Best Live Voice of the Year - People's Choice | Nominated | |||
| Queensland Live Voice of the Year | Won | |||
| 2019 | Amy Shark | Live Pop Act of the Year | Nominated | [119][120] |
| 2023 | Amy Shark | Best Pop Act | Nominated | [121] |
TheQueensland Music Awards (known as Q Song Awards until 2010) are annual awards celebratingQueensland, Australia's brightest emerging artists and established legends. They commenced in 2006.[122]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | "Take Time Take Me"(Amy Cushway) | Alternative Song of the Year | Nominated | [123] |
| 2009 | "Stupid not To"(Amy Cushway) | Q Music Encouragement | Nominated | [22] |
| 2013 | "Weight of the World" | Regional Song of the Year | Nominated | [30] |
| 2016 | "Golden Fleece" | Pop Song of the Year | Won | [34] |
| 2017 | "Adore" | Song of the Year | Won | [124] |
| Pop Song of the Year | Won | |||
| Regional Song of the Year | Won | |||
| 2018 | herself | Export Achievement Award | awarded | [125] |
| Singer Songwriter | Won | |||
| "Adore" | Highest Selling Single of the Year | Won | ||
| "Weekends" | Pop Song of the Year | Won | ||
| Regional Song of the Year | Won | |||
| 2019 | "I Said Hi" | Highest Selling Single | Won | [126] |
| Love Monster | Highest Selling Album | Won | ||
| Amy Shark | Singer Songwriter | Won | ||
| 2020 | "Mess Her Up" | Highest Selling Single | Won | [127] |
| 2021 | "Everybody Rise" | Highest Selling Single | Won | [128][129] |
| 2022 | Cry Forever | Highest Selling Album | Won | [130] |
| 2023 | "Sway My Way" by Amy Shark & R3HAB | Highest Selling Single | Won | [131] |
| 2025 | "Beautiful Eyes" | Highest Selling Single | Won | [132] |
| Sunday Sadness | Highest Selling Album | Won |
TheRolling Stone Australia Awards are awarded annually in January or February by theAustralian edition ofRolling Stone magazine for outstanding contributions to popular culture in the previous year.[133]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Cry Forever | Best Record | Nominated | [134] |
| "Baby Steps" | Best Single | Won | ||
| 2023 | "Only Wanna Be with You" | Best Single | Nominated | [135] |
| 2024 | "Can I Shower At Yours?" | Best Single | Nominated | [136] |
| 2025 | Sunday Sadness | Best LP/EP | Shortlisted | [137] |
| Beautiful Eyes | Best Single | Shortlisted |
TheVanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition is an annual competition that "acknowledges great songwriting whilst supporting and raising money forNordoff-Robbins" and is coordinated byAlbert Music andAPRA AMCOS. It commenced in 2009.[138]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | "Adore" | Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition | 1st | [139] |
She's been recording music with the likes ofDiplo andBilly Corgan."