# 1997 ARIA Music Awards

The 11th Annual Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards (generally known as the ARIA Music Awards) were held on 22 September 1997 at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney. The event was hosted by Australian actor–comedian Paul McDermott, with presenters Elle McFeast, Kylie Minogue, Ben Folds, Colin Buchanan, the Presidents of the United States of America and others. Savage Garden dominated this year, receiving a record ten awards including Album of the Year for Savage Garden, Single of the Year for "Truly Madly Deeply", Best Group and seven other trophies.
In addition to the annually presented awards, a Special Achievement Award was given to Charles Fisher and an Outstanding Achievement Award was received by Peter André. The ARIA Hall of Fame inducted: the Bee Gees, Graeme Bell and Paul Kelly.

## Ceremony details

The event included musical performances by Ben Folds Five, the Presidents of the United States of America and Kylie Minogue. John Farnham teamed up with crooner quartet Human Nature to debut the performance of their single, "Every Time You Cry", which later became a number-three ARIA Singles Chart hit. Crowded House, who won Highest Selling Album for their greatest hits compilation, Recurring Dream, reunited the year after breaking up. They commemorated Paul Kelly's induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame by performing his song "Leaps and Bounds".
Various international and Australian entertainers presented awards to the winners including Australian Elle McFeast (who was nominated for Best Comedy Release), Ben Folds, Kylie Minogue and Chris Ballew, Dave Dederer and Jason Finn of the Presidents of the United States of America. Four Artisan Awards were presented prior to the telecast.

### Presenters and performers

The ARIA Awards ceremony was hosted by Australian comedian and TV presenter Paul McDermott. Presenters and performers were:
| Presenter(s) | Performer(s) |
| Merril Bainbridge | silverchair |
| Rani | silverchair |
| Monica Trapaga | silverchair |
| Michael Gudinski | Savage Garden |
| Tottie Goldsmith | Savage Garden |
| Gina Jeffreys | Savage Garden |
| Paul Grabowsky | Tina Arena |
| Dylan Lewis | Tina Arena |
| Alle Brunning | Tina Arena |
| Ben Folds | John Farnham, Human Nature – "Every Time You Cry" |
| John McRae | John Farnham, Human Nature – "Every Time You Cry" |
| the Presidents of the United States of America | John Farnham, Human Nature – "Every Time You Cry" |
| Bill Gates | Leonardo's Bride |
| Colin Buchanan | Leonardo's Bride |
| Mark Seymour | Leonardo's Bride |
| Richard Wilkins | The Superjesus |
| Billy Birmingham | The Superjesus |
| Wendy Matthews | The Superjesus |
| the Nissan Cedrics | Neil Finn, Christine Anu |
| Dave Graney | Neil Finn, Christine Anu |
| Deborah Conway | Neil Finn, Christine Anu |
| "Ugly" Phil O'Neil | Renée Geyer, Paul Kelly, Vika and Linda |
| Mikey Robins | Renée Geyer, Paul Kelly, Vika and Linda |
| Bob Downe | Renée Geyer, Paul Kelly, Vika and Linda |
| Elle McFeast | Crowded House – "Leaps and Bounds" |
| Paul Hester, Nick Seymour, Neil Finn, Jabba | Crowded House – "Leaps and Bounds" |
| Kylie Minogue, Peter Garrett | Crowded House – "Leaps and Bounds" |

## Multiple winners and nominees

* Savage Garden – 10 awards from 13 nominations
* Charles Fisher – 3 awards from 3 nominations
* Paul Kelly – 2 awards from 5 nominations (including Hall of Fame)
* The Superjesus – 2 awards from 2 nominations
* Spiderbait – 1 award from 7 nominations
* Silverchair – 1 award from 6 nominations
* Crowded House – 1 award from 3 nominations
* Powderfinger – 7 nominations

## Awards

Nominees and winners with results indicated on the right.
ARIA Awards :
| Album of the Year |||||
| Artist | Artist | Album | Album | Result |
| Savage Garden | Savage Garden | Savage Garden | Savage Garden | Won |
| Silverchair | Silverchair | Freak Show | Freak Show | Nominated |
| Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds | Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds | The Boatman's Call | The Boatman's Call | Nominated |
| Powderfinger | Powderfinger | Double Allergic | Double Allergic | Nominated |
| Spiderbait | Spiderbait | Ivy and the Big Apples | Ivy and the Big Apples | Nominated |
| Single of the Year |||||
| Artist | Artist | Single | Single | Result |
| Savage Garden | Savage Garden | "Truly Madly Deeply" | "Truly Madly Deeply" | Won |
| Leonardo's Bride | Leonardo's Bride | "Even When I'm Sleeping" | "Even When I'm Sleeping" | Nominated |
| Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds | Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds | "Into My Arms" | "Into My Arms" | Nominated |
| Powderfinger | Powderfinger | "D.A.F." | "D.A.F." | Nominated |
| Spiderbait | Spiderbait | "Buy Me a Pony" | "Buy Me a Pony" | Nominated |
| Song of the Year |||||
| Artist | Artist | Song | Song | Result |
| Savage Garden | Savage Garden | "To the Moon and Back" | "To the Moon and Back" | Won |
| Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds | Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds | "Into My Arms" | "Into My Arms" | Nominated |
| Paul Kelly | Paul Kelly | "How to Make Gravy" | "How to Make Gravy" | Nominated |
| Powderfinger | Powderfinger | "D.A.F." | "D.A.F." | Nominated |
| Savage Garden | Savage Garden | "Truly Madly Deeply" | "Truly Madly Deeply" | Nominated |
| Highest Selling Album |||||
| Artist | Artist | Album | Album | Result |
| Crowded House | Crowded House | Recurring Dream | Recurring Dream | Won |
| Jimmy Barnes | Jimmy Barnes | Barnes Hits Anthology | Barnes Hits Anthology | Nominated |
| John Farnham | John Farnham | Romeo's Heart | Romeo's Heart | Nominated |
| Powderfinger | Powderfinger | Double Allergic | Double Allergic | Nominated |
| Savage Garden | Savage Garden | Savage Garden | Savage Garden | Nominated |
| Highest Selling Single |||||
| Artist | Artist | Single | Single | Result |
| Savage Garden | Savage Garden | "Truly Madly Deeply" | "Truly Madly Deeply" | Won |
| Human Nature | Human Nature | "Don't Say Goodbye" | "Don't Say Goodbye" | Nominated |
| Human Nature | Human Nature | "Wishes" | "Wishes" | Nominated |
| Silverchair | Silverchair | "Abuse Me" | "Abuse Me" | Nominated |
| Silverchair | Silverchair | "Freak" | "Freak" | Nominated |
| Best Group |||||
| Artist | Artist | Release | Release | Result |
| Savage Garden | Savage Garden | Savage Garden | Savage Garden | Won |
| Crowded House | Crowded House | "Instinct" | "Instinct" | Nominated |
| Powderfinger | Powderfinger | Double Allergic | Double Allergic | Nominated |
| Silverchair | Silverchair | Freak Show | Freak Show | Nominated |
| Spiderbait | Spiderbait | Ivy and the Big Apples | Ivy and the Big Apples | Nominated |
| Best Female Artist |||||
| Artist | Artist | Release | Release | Result |
| Monique Brumby | Monique Brumby | "Mary" | "Mary" | Won |
| Deni Hines | Deni Hines | "I'm Not in Love" | "I'm Not in Love" | Nominated |
| Nikka Costa | Nikka Costa | "Get off My Sunshine" | "Get off My Sunshine" | Nominated |
| Wendy Matthews | Wendy Matthews | "Then I Walked Away" | "Then I Walked Away" | Nominated |
| Annie Crummer | Annie Crummer | Seventh Wave | Seventh Wave | Nominated |
| Best Male Artist |||||
| Artist | Artist | Release | Release | Result |
| Paul Kelly | Paul Kelly | "How to Make Gravy" | "How to Make Gravy" | Won |
| Dave Graney | Dave Graney | "The Devil Drives" | "The Devil Drives" | Nominated |
| Jimmy Barnes | Jimmy Barnes | "Lover Lover" | "Lover Lover" | Nominated |
| Mark Seymour | Mark Seymour | "Last Ditch Cabaret" | "Last Ditch Cabaret" | Nominated |
| Tex Perkins | Tex Perkins | "Far Be It from Me" | "Far Be It from Me" | Nominated |
| Best New Talent |||||
| Artist | Artist | Release | Release | Result |
| The Superjesus | The Superjesus | "Eight Step Rail" | "Eight Step Rail" | Won |
| Fini Scad | Fini Scad | "Coppertone" / "Testrider" | "Coppertone" / "Testrider" | Nominated |
| Frank Bennett | Frank Bennett | Five O'Clock Shadow | Five O'Clock Shadow | Nominated |
| Jebediah | Jebediah | "Jerks of Attention" | "Jerks of Attention" | Nominated |
| Rani | Rani | "Always on My Mind" | "Always on My Mind" | Nominated |
| Breakthrough Artist – Album |||||
| Artist | Artist | Album | Album | Result |
| Savage Garden | Savage Garden | Savage Garden | Savage Garden | Won |
| The Earthmen | The Earthmen | Love Walked In | Love Walked In | Nominated |
| Human Nature | Human Nature | Telling Everybody | Telling Everybody | Nominated |
| Leonardo's Bride | Leonardo's Bride | Angel Blood | Angel Blood | Nominated |
| Rebecca's Empire | Rebecca's Empire | Way of All Things | Way of All Things | Nominated |
| Breakthrough Artist – Single |||||
| Artist | Artist | Single | Single | Result |
| The Superjesus | The Superjesus | "Shut My Eyes" / "Eight Step Rail" | "Shut My Eyes" / "Eight Step Rail" | Won |
| Fini Scad | Fini Scad | "Coppertone" / "Testrider" | "Coppertone" / "Testrider" | Nominated |
| Frank Bennett | Frank Bennett | "Creep" | "Creep" | Nominated |
| Gina G | Gina G | "(Ooh Aah) Just a Little Bit" | "(Ooh Aah) Just a Little Bit" | Nominated |
| Mark Seymour | Mark Seymour | "Last Ditch Cabaret" | "Last Ditch Cabaret" | Nominated |
| Best Pop Release |||||
| Artist | Artist | Release | Release | Result |
| Savage Garden | Savage Garden | "To the Moon and Back" | "To the Moon and Back" | Won |
| Deni Hines | Deni Hines | "I'm Not in Love" | "I'm Not in Love" | Nominated |
| Human Nature | Human Nature | Telling Everybody | Telling Everybody | Nominated |
| Rani | Rani | "Always on My Mind" | "Always on My Mind" | Nominated |
| Snout | Snout | New Pop Dialogue | New Pop Dialogue | Nominated |
| Best Dance Release |||||
| Artist | Artist | Release | Release | Result |
| Pendulum | Pendulum | "Coma" | "Coma" | Won |
| Boo Boo and Mace | Boo Boo and Mace | "Flowers in the Sky" | "Flowers in the Sky" | Nominated |
| The Lord's Garden | The Lord's Garden | Journeys | Journeys | Nominated |
| Our House | Our House | Floorspace | Floorspace | Nominated |
| Wicked Beat Sound System | Wicked Beat Sound System | Music from the Core | Music from the Core | Nominated |
| Best Country Album |||||
| Artist | Artist | Album | Album | Result |
| Graeme Connors | Graeme Connors | The Road Less Travelled | The Road Less Travelled | Won |
| The Dead Ringer Band | The Dead Ringer Band | Living in the Circle | Living in the Circle | Nominated |
| The Ranch | The Ranch | The Ranch | The Ranch | Nominated |
| Tina Martyn | Tina Martyn | Lying in My Bed | Lying in My Bed | Nominated |
| Troy Cassar-Daley | Troy Cassar-Daley | True Believers | True Believers | Nominated |
| Best Independent Release |||||
| Artist | Artist | Release | Release | Result |
| Savage Garden | Savage Garden | Savage Garden | Savage Garden | Won |
| Deadstar | Deadstar | "Don't it Get You Down" | "Don't it Get You Down" | Nominated |
| Dirty Three | Dirty Three | Horse Stories | Horse Stories | Nominated |
| Ed Kuepper | Ed Kuepper | Frontierland | Frontierland | Nominated |
| Even | Even | Less Is More | Less Is More | Nominated |
| Best Alternative Release |||||
| Artist | Artist | Release | Release | Result |
| Spiderbait | Spiderbait | Ivy and the Big Apples | Ivy and the Big Apples | Won |
| Dirty Three | Dirty Three | Horse Stories | Horse Stories | Nominated |
| Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds | Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds | The Boatman's Call | The Boatman's Call | Nominated |
| The Fauves | The Fauves | Future Spa | Future Spa | Nominated |
| Powderfinger | Powderfinger | Double Allergic | Double Allergic | Nominated |
| Best Indigenous Release |||||
| Artist | Artist | Release | Release | Result |
| Archie Roach | Archie Roach | "Hold On Tight" | "Hold On Tight" | Won |
| George Telek | George Telek | Telek | Telek | Nominated |
| Tiddas | Tiddas | Tiddas | Tiddas | Nominated |
| Warumpi Band | Warumpi Band | Stompin' Ground | Stompin' Ground | Nominated |
| Yothu Yindi | Yothu Yindi | Birrkuta - Wild Honey | Birrkuta - Wild Honey | Nominated |
| Best Adult Contemporary Album |||||
| Artist | Artist | Album | Album | Result |
| My Friend The Chocolate Cake | My Friend The Chocolate Cake | Good Luck | Good Luck | Won |
| Annie Crummer | Annie Crummer | Seventh Wave | Seventh Wave | Nominated |
| Tommy Emmanuel | Tommy Emmanuel | Can't Get Enough | Can't Get Enough | Nominated |
| Ed Kuepper | Ed Kuepper | Starstruck | Starstruck | Nominated |
| Vika and Linda | Vika and Linda | Princess Tabu | Princess Tabu | Nominated |
| Best Comedy Release |||||
| Artist | Artist | Release | Release | Result |
| Martin/Molloy | Martin/Molloy | Poop Chute | Poop Chute | Won |
| Bob Downe | Bob Downe | Jazzy! | Jazzy! | Nominated |
| Elle McFeast | Elle McFeast | Breasts | Breasts | Nominated |
| Ian Turpie | Ian Turpie | Talk of the Town | Talk of the Town | Nominated |
| John Clarke & Bryan Dawe | John Clarke & Bryan Dawe | Secret Men's Business | Secret Men's Business | Nominated |
| Fine Arts Awards |||||
| Best Jazz Album |||||
| Artist | Artist | Album | Album | Result |
| Bernie McGann | Bernie McGann | Playground | Playground | Won |
| The Catholics | The Catholics | Life on Earth | Life on Earth | Nominated |
| Clarion Fracture Zone | Clarion Fracture Zone | Less Stable Elements | Less Stable Elements | Nominated |
| Col Nolan | Col Nolan | Nolans Groove | Nolans Groove | Nominated |
| Ian Chaplin Quartet | Ian Chaplin Quartet | Tjapangati | Tjapangati | Nominated |
| Scott Tinkler | Scott Tinkler | Dance of Delulian | Dance of Delulian | Nominated |
| Best Classical Album |||||
| Artist | Artist | Album | Album | Result |
| Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, David Porcelijn | Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, David Porcelijn | Peter Sculthorpe: Sun Music | Peter Sculthorpe: Sun Music | Won |
| Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, David Porcelijn | Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, David Porcelijn | Peter Sculthorpe: The Fifth Continent | Peter Sculthorpe: The Fifth Continent | Nominated |
| Tamara Cislowska | Tamara Cislowska | The Enchanted Isle | The Enchanted Isle | Nominated |
| Renaissance Players | Renaissance Players | Mirror of Light | Mirror of Light | Nominated |
| Australian Chamber Orchestra | Australian Chamber Orchestra | Il Tramonto - The Sunset | Il Tramonto - The Sunset | Nominated |
| Best Children's Album |||||
| Artist | Artist | Album | Album | Result |
| Play School | Play School | In The Car | In The Car | Won |
| Mic Conway | Mic Conway | What's That Sound? | What's That Sound? | Nominated |
| Franciscus Henri | Franciscus Henri | Mr Whiskers | Mr Whiskers | Nominated |
| The Hooley Dooleys | The Hooley Dooleys | Splash | Splash | Nominated |
| Monica Trapaga | Monica Trapaga | Monica's House | Monica's House | Nominated |
| Best Original Soundtrack / Cast / Show Recording |||||
| Artist | Artist | Release | Release | Result |
| Blixa Bargeld, Nick Cave, Mick Harvey | Blixa Bargeld, Nick Cave, Mick Harvey | To Have and to Hold | To Have and to Hold | Won |
| Mario Millo | Mario Millo | GP | GP | Nominated |
| Various | Various | Idiot Box | Idiot Box | Nominated |
| Various | Various | Love and Other Catastrophes | Love and Other Catastrophes | Nominated |
| Various | Various | What I Have Written | What I Have Written | Nominated |
| Best World Music Album |||||
| Artist | Artist | Album | Album | Result |
| George Telek | George Telek | Telek | Telek | Won |
| Ashok Roy | Ashok Roy | The Night Ragas | The Night Ragas | Nominated |
| The Barkers | The Barkers | The Black Joke | The Black Joke | Nominated |
| Equa | Equa | Equa | Equa | Nominated |
| Mara! & Martenitsa Choir | Mara! & Martenitsa Choir | Sezoni | Sezoni | Nominated |
| Artisan Awards |||||
| Producer of the Year |||||
| Producer | Musical artist | Release | Release | Result |
| Charles Fisher | Hoodoo Gurus | "Down on Me" | "Down on Me" | Won |
| Charles Fisher | Judith Durham, Russell Hitchcock & Mandawuy Yunupingu | "I Am Australian" | "I Am Australian" | | Won |
| Charles Fisher | Savage Garden | Savage Garden | Savage Garden | | Won |
| Charles Fisher | The Seekers | Far Shore | Far Shore | | Won |
| David Bridie | Monique Brumby | Mary | Mary | Nominated |
| Nick Launay | Silverchair | Freak Show | Freak Show | Nominated |
| Paul Begaud | Human Nature | Telling Everybody | Telling Everybody | Nominated |
| Tim Whitten | Fini Scad | Furious | Furious | Nominated |
| Tim Whitten | Powderfinger | Double Allergic | Double Allergic | | Nominated |
| Engineer of the Year |||||
| Engineer | Musical artist | Release | Release | Result |
| Charles Fisher | Savage Garden | Savage Garden | Savage Garden | Won |
| David Bridie | John Farnham | Hearts on Fire | Hearts on Fire | Nominated |
| Charles Dickie | The Black Sorrows | "Chained to the Wheel", "Chosen Ones", "New Craze" | "Chained to the Wheel", "Chosen Ones", "New Craze" | Nominated |
| Charles Dickie | Paul Kelly | "Tease Me" | "Tease Me" | | Nominated |
| Phil McKellar | Spiderbait | Ivy and the Big Apples | Ivy and the Big Apples | Nominated |
| Phil McKellar | You Am I | "Good Mornin' Tuesday" | "Good Mornin' Tuesday" | | Nominated |
| Best Video |||||
| Director | Musical artist | Single | Single | Result |
| Tony Mahony | Dave Graney & the Coral Snakes | "Feelin' Kinda Sporty" | "Feelin' Kinda Sporty" | Won |
| Greg Harrington, Ross Fraser | John Farnham | "All Kinds of People" | "All Kinds of People" | Nominated |
| Janet English | Spiderbait | "Calypso" | "Calypso" | Nominated |
| Jeff Darling | Crowded House | "Not the Girl You Think You Are" | "Not the Girl You Think You Are" | Nominated |
| Mark Hartley | You Am I | "Good Mornin'" | "Good Mornin'" | Nominated |
| Tony McGrath | Savage Garden | "To the Moon and Back" | "To the Moon and Back" | Nominated |
| Best Cover Art |||||
| Cover artist | Musical artist | Album | Album | Result |
| John Watson, John O'Donnell, Kevin Wilkins, Silverchair | Silverchair | Freak Show | Freak Show | Won |
| Janet English | Spiderbait | Ivy and the Big Apples | Ivy and the Big Apples | Nominated |
| Pierre Baroni | Paul Kelly | Songs from the South | Songs from the South | Nominated |
| Simon Anderson, Dean Manning | Leonardo's Bride | Angel Blood | Angel Blood | Nominated |
| Tony Mahony | Dave Graney & the Coral Snakes | The Devil Drives | The Devil Drives | Nominated |

## Achievement awards
### Outstanding Achievement Award

* Peter Andre

### Special Achievement Award

* Charles Fisher

## Hall of Fame Inductees

The ARIA Hall of Fame inductees were:
* The Bee Gees
* Graeme Bell
* Paul Kelly
For Kelly's induction, Crowded House had reformed to provide a cover version of his "Leaps and Bounds". In 2019 Double J's Dan Condon described this as one of the "7 great performances from the history of the ARIA Awards."