DMA's are an Australian rock band formed in 2012 in Sydney, New South Wales. The band is composed of lead vocalist Tommy O'Dell, lead guitarist Matt Mason, and rhythm guitarist Johnny Took.[1] They originally gained popularity for their debut single "Delete" and for their self-titled EP, which were both released in 2014.[2] The band have since gone on to release four studio albums: Hills End (2016), For Now (2018), The Glow (2020) and How Many Dreams? (2023). All four albums have peaked within the top 10 of the ARIA Albums Chart, with the latter two also reaching the top five in the UK and Scotland.

DMA's
DMA's playing Victorious Festival, Portsmouth, UK on 27 August 2016
DMA's playing Victorious Festival, Portsmouth, UK on 27 August 2016
Background information
OriginSydney, New South Wales, Australia
Genres
Years active2012 (2012)–present
LabelsI Oh You, Mom + Pop Music, Infectious
Members
  • Tommy O'Dell
  • Matt Mason
  • Johnny Took
Websitedmasdmas.com

History

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Johnny Took, Matthew Mason and Tommy O'Dell began playing music together "about two years" before DMA's formed.[3] Took and Mason both played in Sydney alt-country and bluegrass band Little Bastard, with DMA's originally serving as a side project of sorts to it before they began to focus on the latter full time.[4] The band originally formed under the name Dirty Ma's before abbreviating it, hence why the name includes a grocers' apostrophe.[5]

In February 2014, DMA's were signed to I Oh You and released their debut single "Delete", which peaked at number 88 on the ARIA Charts. Their self-titled EP was released on 28 March 2014.

In February 2016, the band released a full-length album titled Hills End.[6] It peaked at number 8 on the ARIA Albums Chart upon release in March 2016.[7] In April 2016 they appeared on the cover of Australian magazine, Happy Mag.[8] Their song "Play It Out" features as one of the songs on FIFA 17, the EA Sports video game.[9]

The band's cover of Cher's "Believe" was voted in at number 6 on Triple J's Hottest 100 2016 list.[10] The video has received over 10.3 million views on YouTube[11] and became the first Like a Version cover to ever rank this highly in the Hottest 100. The cover would later top the inaugural Triple J Hottest 100 of Like a Version in 2023.[12]

In November 2019, the band supported Liam Gallagher on his UK and Ireland tour.[13] The band also went on to support the likes of Richard Ashcroft, Kasabian and The Kooks.[14] In October 2021, they played their largest headline show at Alexandra Palace in London to over 10,000 fans.

On 31 January 2020, the band released "Life Is a Game of Changing", the second single from their third studio album, The Glow, which was released on 10 July 2020.[15] The Glow peaked at number 2 on the Australian charts and number 4 on the UK charts. In October 2020, the band performed at the 2020 AFL Grand Final.[16]

On 20 August 2021, an EP titled I Love You Unconditionally, Sure Am Going to Miss You was released. The band stated "This EP was in the natural trajectory that you can sometimes take in a band. You work with different producers and you want to keep changing, but there's also something in your core that pulls you back. It's cool to get back to your roots sometimes."[17] The lead single "We Are Midnight" was released the same day, which the trio described in a statement as "a noisy guitar pop explosion that brings us back to our roots".[17]

In August 2022, the band released "I Don’t Need to Hide" with DMA's guitarist Jonny Took saying, "There's a confidence you obtain when you find someone who loves you for all your faults, quirks and obscurities."[18]

Further radio singles "Everybody's Saying Thursday's The Weekend", "Fading Like a Picture", "Olympia" and "Something We Are Overcoming" were promoted by the band in the lead-up to the release of their fourth album.

The bands' fourth studio album, How Many Dreams? was released on 31 March 2023. The album launch also included a limited edition collaboration with British sportswear brand Admiral.[19]

Musical style and influences

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Their musical sound has led to comparisons to the bands Oasis and The Stone Roses.[20]

They have also cited influence from Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Sonic Youth, New Order, The Music and Dinosaur Jr in addition to Britpop bands.[21]

Members

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  • Tommy O'Dell – lead vocals
  • Matthew Mason – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Johnny Took – acoustic guitar, rhythm guitar

Touring musicians

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  • Joel Flyger – rhythm guitar
  • Jonathan Skourletos – bass guitar
  • Liam Hoskins – drums

Discography

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Awards and nominations

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AIR Awards

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The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2014 themselves Breakthrough Independent Artist Nominated [22][23]
DMA's Best Independent Single/EP Nominated
2021 The Glow Independent Album of the Year Won [24][25]
Best Independent Rock Album or EP Won
"Criminals" (The Avalanches remix) Best Independent Dance, Electronica or Club Single Won
2024 I OH YOU/Mushroom Group for DMA's How Many Dreams? Independent Marketing Team of the Year Nominated [26]
Independent Publicity Team of the Year Nominated
Konstantin Kersting for DMA's How Many Dreams? Independent Producer of the Year Nominated

APRA Awards

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The APRA Awards are presented annually from 1982 by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), "honouring composers and songwriters". They commenced in 1982.[27]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2021 "Silver"
(Matthew Mason, Thomas O’Dell, John Took, Thomas Crandles, Liam Hoskins, Joel Flyger)
Most Performed Alternative Work Nominated [28]
Song of the Year Shortlisted [29]
2024 "Everybody's Saying Thursday's the Weekend"
(Matthew Mason, Thomas O'Dell, John Took, Liam Hoskins)
Most Performed Alternative Work Nominated [30]

ARIA Music Awards

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The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. DMA's have received 14 nominations.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2016 Hills End Breakthrough Artist Nominated [31]
2018 For Now Best Group Nominated
Best Independent Release Nominated
Best Rock Album Nominated
2020 The Glow Album of the Year Nominated [32][33]
Best Group Nominated
Best Independent Release Nominated
Best Rock Album Nominated
Unplugged & Intimate, Laneway Festival Best Australian Live Act Nominated
2023 How Many Dreams? Album of the Year Nominated [34]
[35]
Best Group Won
Best Rock Album Nominated
Joel Burrows for DMA's – "Everybody's Saying Thursday's the Weekend" Best Video Nominated
DMA's Live at Falls Festival Best Australian Live Act Nominated

J Awards

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The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2018[36] For Now Australian Album of the Year Nominated
2020[37][38] The Glow Australian Album of the Year Nominated

National Live Music Awards

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The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) commenced in 2016 to recognise contributions to the live music industry in Australia.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2020 DMA's NSW Act Voice of the Year Nominated [39]
2023 DMA's Best Indie/Rock/Alternative Act Nominated [40][41]
Best Live Act in NSW Won

Rolling Stone Australia Awards

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The Rolling Stone Australia Awards are awarded annually in January or February by the Australian edition of Rolling Stone magazine for outstanding contributions to popular culture in the previous year.[42]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2021 "Life Is a Game of Changing" Best Single Nominated [43]
2024 DMA's Rolling Stone Global Award Won [44]

References

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  1. ^ "DMA'S on iTunes". Apple. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
  2. ^ "Sydney Three-Piece DMA'S iTunes Success". The Sydney Morning Herald. 19 May 2014. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
  3. ^ Galvin, Hannah (March 2014). "Interview DMA's". purplesneakers. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  4. ^ Harris, Joe. "Discover: Sydney Folk-Punk Septet, Little Bastard". Tone Deaf. Seventh Street Media. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  5. ^ "DMAS". Indie Is Not a Genre. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
  6. ^ Roffmanon, Michael (25 February 2016). "DMA's – Hills End The CoSign'd Australian export says hello with so much melody". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
  7. ^ "DMA'S – Hills End". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 31 July 2016.
  8. ^ "Happy Mag – Issue Two – Happy Store". Happy Store. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  9. ^ "FIFA 17 Soundtrack – EA SPORTS". Electronic Arts Inc. 8 September 2016.
  10. ^ "1-100 - Hottest 100 2016 - triple j". www.abc.net.au. 11 November 2016.
  11. ^ "DMA'S cover Cher 'Believe' for Like A Version". triple j. 27 October 2016. Retrieved 12 April 2018 – via YouTUbe.
  12. ^ Knaus, Christopher. "Quite special': DMA'S wins first Triple J Top 100 Like a Version with Cher's Believe". The Guardian. Guardian News & Media Limited. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  13. ^ "Liam Gallagher confirmed two UK support". Radio X. November 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  14. ^ Wynn, Amos. "DMA's are ready to rock O2 Academy Oxford: Everything you need to know about your next favourite band". The Oxford Mail. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
  15. ^ "DMA'S confirm title, artwork and release date of third album". Radio X. 30 January 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  16. ^ "All-Aussie music lineup announced for AFL's grand final at the Gabba". The Sydney Morning Herald. 12 October 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  17. ^ a b Gallagher, Alex (20 August 2021). "DMA'S surprise-release new EP I Love You Unconditionally, Sure Am Going to Miss You". NME Australia. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  18. ^ "DMA'S share new single 'I Don't Need To Hide' and announce UK shows". NME. 17 August 2022. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  19. ^ "Admiral Produce Football Shirt for Australian Band DMA's".
  20. ^ "Oasis' Noel Gallagher: 'I'm Going To Boo DMA's When I See Them'". The Music. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
  21. ^ "DMA'S: A Game Of Changing". Rolling Stone Australia. 10 July 2020. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  22. ^ "CARLTON DRY AIR AWARDS 2014 NOMINEES ANNOUNCED". speaker tv. September 2014. Archived from the original on 11 September 2014. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  23. ^ "History Wins". Australian Independent Record Labels Association. Archived from the original on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  24. ^ "Details confirmed for 2021 AIR Awards as nominees announced". The Music. 2 June 2021. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  25. ^ "2021 AIR Awards Winners". Scenstr.com.au. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  26. ^ "2024 AIR Awards Nominees: Genesis Owusu, Cub Sport, RVG, Teen Jesus & More". The Music. 14 May 2024. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  27. ^ "APRA History". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). Archived from the original on 20 September 2010. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  28. ^ "Nominees announced for the 2021 APRA Music Awards". APRA AMCOS. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  29. ^ "One of these songs will be the Peer-Voted APRA Song of the Year!". APRA AMCOS. 3 February 2021. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  30. ^ "2024 APRA Music Awards nominees announced: Paul Kelly, Troye Sivan, Tex Perkins, and more". Mumbrella. 4 April 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  31. ^ "DMA's ARIA Awards search". ARIA. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  32. ^ "ARIA Awards 2020 Nominees". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  33. ^ "And the 2020 ARIA Awards Go To…". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 26 November 2020. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  34. ^ "Nominees Announced for 2023 ARIA Awards". Music Feeds. 21 September 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  35. ^ "ARIA Awards 2023: the Nominees & Winners as They're Announced". NME Australia. 15 November 2023. Archived from the original on 16 November 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  36. ^ "The J Award 2018". Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  37. ^ "Here are your nominees for the 2020 J Awards!". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2 November 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  38. ^ Triscari, Caleb (19 November 2020). "Lime Cordiale take home Australian Album of the Year at the 2020 J Awards". NME Australia. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  39. ^ "Nominees announced for 2020 National Live Music Awards". NLMAs. 7 September 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  40. ^ "Nominees Announced For The 2023 National Live Music Awards". The Music. 5 September 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  41. ^ "Genesis Owusu And Amyl & The Sniffers Win Big At The 2023 National Live Music Awards". The Music. 11 October 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  42. ^ Barnes, Amelia (5 December 2011). "Rolling Stone Magazine Australia announces 3rd annual awards event". The AU Review. Archived from the original on 8 August 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  43. ^ "Tash Sultana, Tkay Maidza, and Tame Impala Lead Rolling Stone Australia Awards Winners". Rolling Stone Australia. 31 March 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  44. ^ "Troye Sivan, Kylie Minogue & Dom Dolla Among 2024 Shure Rolling Stone Australia Awards Nominees". Rolling Stone Australia. 4 March 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2024.