The 2023 ARIA Awards are a celebrated event on the Australian music calendar. This year's award nominations feature a smattering of Gold Coast talent, and your vote counts. 

The Gold Coast's thriving music scene is brimming with incredible artists. We're incredibly spoilt for choice with local gigs, performances and show lineups stretching across the year's calendar, here on the Gold Coast. 

As key players in the Australian music industry, a whole swag of Gold Coast musicians, creators and teachers have been recognised in this year's ARIA nominations. 

Here's a roundup of the Gold Coasters nominated in the 2023 Aria Awards. 

Budjerah

• Nominated for Song of the Year – Therapy

• Nominated for Best Pop Release – Therapy

• Nominated for Best Video – Therapy – Murli Dhir; Made in Katana Studios

• Nominated for Best Solo Artist – 2step - Ed Sheeran (feat. Budjera)

• Nominated for Best Australian Live Act – Budjera Australian Tour

Budjerah is a 21-year-old Coodjinburra man from the Bundjalung Nation whose won the hearts of Australia and undoubtedly ours too. 

This year, Budjerah won National Indigenous Music Awards' (NIMA) 2023 Artist of the Year, Gold Coast Music Awards' Artist of the Year and Live Act of the Year. 

This young talent is a picture of perseverance. After being knocked back on The Voice in 2019, in 2020 he connected with Matt Corby who produced Budjerah's chart-topping debut single, 'Missing You.'  

Budjerah's debut EP 'Budjerah (Live at Rainbow Valley)' was recorded in Matt Corby's studio and along with Corby, featured Ngaiire, Ainslie Wills, JK-47 and Stevan. In March 2021, Apple Music named Budjerah as its latest Up Next artist. Up Next is an initiative identifying and showcasing rising talent from Australia and New Zealand. At the 2021 ARIA awards, Budjerah won the Breakthrough Artist – Release ARIA Award.

Could this year see a multi-win on the cards?

Hank Lewerissa

• Nominated for the Telstra ARIA Music Teacher Award

Representing the northern end of the Gold Coast, Hank Lewerissa is a music teacher at Upper Coomera State College.

This award launched in 2017 in partnership with The Song Room and recognises the incredible contribution music teachers make to students across Australia. 

Hank has taught music on the Gold Coast region for over 40 years. To put that into perspective, Hank now teaches some of his original students' grandchildren!

Sue Lowry 

• Nominated for the Telstra ARIA Music Teacher Award

Sue hails from Southport Special School. With just four music teachers nominated, Sue and Hank's Gold Coast roles make up half of those in the lineup!

For 10 years Sue has created programs for her students to ensure that every student has access to the same quality of music education as their mainstream peers. 

Drummers, singers, ukulele groups and more. Congratulations to Sue on her nomination for the music teacher award!

FISHER & Aatig

• Nominated for Best Dance / Electronic Release – Take It Off

With over 29 million Spotify streams alone, FISHER's hit has really taken off. 

FISHER's nomination features a long line of prior successes, including ARIA Music Award nominations in 2018 and 2019 and a Grammy Award nomination for Best Dance Recording for 'Losing It'. 

With eyes set on this year's awards, we wish FISHER the best of luck!

Amy Shark

• Nominated for Best Pop Release – Can I Shower at Yours

• Nominated for Song of the Year – Sway My Way – R3hab and Amy Shark

• Nominated for Best Video – Can I Shower at Yours – Mitch Green and Amy Shark

Gold Coast darling Amy Shark has been nominated for a whole lot of awards at this year's ARIAs. 

From collaborations to visuals and solo tracks, what can't this dazzling Shark do?

Luude

• Nominated for Song of the Year – Big City Life – Luude & Mattafix

Taking on a big song like the iconic Big City Life is no easy feat. 

With their energised version, Gold Coast-based artist Luude joined forces with Mattafix to create this absolute banger. 

This party-starting track follows successes such as winning the 2022 Best Dance/Electronic Release ARIA Award. We're on the edge of our seat to see who wins this year's Song of The Year!

Lastlings

• Nominated for Best Dance/Electronic Release – Perfect World 

Gold Coast electro-pop brother-sister duo Josh and Amy make up Lastlings. Their nominated 'Perfect World' track aptly gives us Billie Eilish and Finneas vibes.

This upbeat song combines live and electric elements for a full-throttle dance track so many have fallen in love with. 

Congratulations to all the ARIA Award nominees!

Have your say and cast your vote at aria.com.au/vote