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Motez
Birth nameMoutaiz Al-Obaidi
OriginBaghdad
Genres
Occupations
  • DJ
  • Record Producer
  • Composer
  • Installation Artist
Years active2010–present
Labels
Websitewww.motez.com.au

Moutaiz Al-Obaidi, known professionally as Motez, is an Australian record producer, musician, installation artist and DJ. Motez was a refugee born in Iraq and moved to Adelaide in 2006.[1][2][3] Motez's Song "The Future" featuring Antony and Cleopatra was certified Platinum in Australia.[4] He has won several South Australian Music Awards for Best Solo Artist (2021)[5] and Most Popular Electronic Artist (2016, 2018, 2020 and 2021)[6][7][8]

Touring

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Motez has performed at many festivals including: Splendour in the Grass, Falls Festival, Warehouse Project and Electric Forest Festival. He embarked on his own headline tour in 2017 with Tigerilla and Mickey Kojak as supports.[9][10][11]

Soulitude

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In the wake of lockdown restrictions and the cancelation of live events due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Motez released an introspective, ambient EP called Soulitude[12] which was conceived as a "response to the global mindset of isolation". The project was touted as a "raw, minimal and emotive ambient work, encompassing his own experiences and the natural human responses to seclusion." To commemorate the release of Soulitude, Motez played and recorded a live set of the entire EP in Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia which was streamed online through United We Stream, the event was a set up to raise funds for Support Act.[13] and garnered over 25,000 plays in the first day [14] and won Best Video and Best Release at the 2020 SA Music Awards.[8]

Coalesce

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In 2023, Motez released the EP 'Coalesce', dubbed as a collaborative audio-visual project with multi-disciplinary Australian artist Dave Court and features the likes of Elsy Wameyo and DOOLIE. Inspired by the imagery of a crumbling city, Motez envisioned a surreal landscape for the EP's seven tracks. The visual companion set in an imaginary realm called the "hypercube," where the essence of "Coalesce" converges. Blurring the lines between the physical and virtual realms, the aim was to dissolve boundaries and merge tangible elements with digital art, infusing warmth into traditionally industrial sounds. Drawing inspiration from Marshall McLuhan's "The Medium is the Massage," the project emphasizes the significance of the creative process in art and music, reflecting on societal and philosophical implications amidst technological advancements.[15]

The video for Coalesce's lead single 'Make Way' featuring Elsy Waymeyo, directed by Court, was included in RAGE's top 50 videos of 2023.[16]

Live Show

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Motez debuted his live show at Womad Festival on March 12, 2022.[17] The show featured live instrumentation by string and brass sections, kids' choir as well as guest vocalists including George Alice. The show was subsequently broadcast on Triple J as part of their 'Live at the Wireless'[18] series which aired in May 2022. The show was dubbed as "a spectacular combination of powerful dance beats with a stunning light show" by The AU Review.[19] In an interview with Roland, Motez said "I first attended Womadelaide soon after moving to Australia and I dreamt of playing there one day. I understood that the stakes were high, the calibre of musicianship and showmanship was incredible, so I thought if I ever put on a show there it must be more than just about music. It has to be an audio-visual experience matched with a lot of live instrumentation. I am a musician first and foremost, and so presenting my live show for the first time at Womadelaide I had go all out."[20]

Installation Music & Other Ventures

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In 2022, Motez along with long-time collaborators Mapped Design formed "Harsh Realities":[21] an installation and art collective described as "a creative studio specialising in immersive audio-visual experiences that evoke thought, deconstruct ideas, and reveal beneath the surface.".[22] Notable projects include ORBIT,[21] showcased during Illuminate Adelaide, BREATHE,[23] featured at Uni SA's Museum of Discovery, and PASSAGE, presented as part of Adelaide Fringe's 'Natural Wonders' series within the Adelaide Botanic Garden.

Motez also composed the score to the short film "Which Made This Place Home" (written and directed by Maddie Gramatopoulos.[24]) as well as the experimental, dance short film "Straga" (directed by Tiah Trimboli) which launched as part of Adelaide Film Festival. [25]

Discography

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Singles

[edit]
  • Raves Are Dead (2010)
  • A Trick Or Two / Makes Me Itch (2010)
  • Hard Times (2011)
  • Ride Roof Back / Take Off (2013)
  • Promise Me / Bodyrock (2014)
  • Own Up (2014)
  • Down Like This feat. Tkay Maidza (2016)
  • Praise / Fire Burning (2017)
  • The Future feat. Antony & Cleopatra (2017)
  • Roll Out (2018)
  • Steady Motion feat. KWAYE (2019)
  • Toggle (2019)[26]
  • Where Have You Been (2019)[27]
  • Patience (2020)[28]
  • Slow Down (2020) [29]
  • Give Your Heart Away (2020) [30]
  • Andes (2021)[31]
  • Give Me Space feat. The Kite String Tangle (2021)[32]
  • ReSet (2021)[33]
  • Submission (2022) [34]
  • Get it Done feat. Scrufizzer (2022) [35]
  • Be Prepared [36]
  • Make Way (feat. Elsy Wameyo)[37]
  • Work Me (feat. DOOLIE)[38]
  • Good 2 Go[39]
  • Lemonade (feat. TANISHA) [40]
  • Light in the Sky (feat. Lauren Ray)[41]

EPs

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  • Call My Name EP (2013)
  • No Need To Panic (2014)
  • Vancouver (2015)
  • The Vibe EP (2016)[42]
  • Late Thoughts EP (2018)
  • Soulitude (2020) [12]
  • ReSet (2021)[43]
  • Coalesce (2023)[44]

Remixes

[edit]

[46] [47] [48] [49]

Film Score

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  • Which Made This Place Home - Short Film (Directed, Produced and Written by Maddie Gramatopoulos)[24]
  • Strega - Short Film (Directed by Tiah Trimboli) [25]

Awards

[edit]

South Australian Music Awards

[edit]

The South Australian Music Awards (previously known as the Fowler's Live Music Awards) are annual awards in the South Australian contemporary music industry. They commenced in 2012.[50]

Year Nominee / work Award Result (wins only)
2016 Motez Best Producer Won
2017 Motez Most Popular Electronic Artist Won
2018 Motez Most Popular Electronic Artist Won
2020 "Soulitude" by Motez Best Release Won
Best Music Video Won
Motez People's Choice Electronic Artist Won
2021[51] Motez Best Solo Won
Motez Best Electronic Won

References

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  1. ^ Williams, Vanessa (1 December 2016). "DJ with a Worldly Attitude". thewest.com.au.
  2. ^ Murphy, Sam (30 May 2016). "Adelaide Producer Motez Has penned An Impassioned Facebook Post About Australias Refugee Crisis". musicfeeds.com.au.
  3. ^ "Triple J YouTube". YouTube.
  4. ^ "StackPath". amnplify.com.au. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  5. ^ "2021 Winners". South Australian Music Awards. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  6. ^ "Past Winners". South Australian Music Awards. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  7. ^ "2018 Award Winners". South Australian Music Awards. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  8. ^ a b "2020 Winners". South Australian Music Awards. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  9. ^ Williams, Tom (21 June 2017). "Motez Announces Biggest National Tour Date". Musicfeeds.com.au.
  10. ^ "Motez Makes a Sophisticated Return on His Late Thoughts Ep Out Now Sweat It Out".
  11. ^ Daly, Rhian (19 July 2017). "The Warehouse Project reveals full line-up for 2017 edition". NME. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  12. ^ a b Soulitude, retrieved 19 October 2020
  13. ^ "Motez presents: Soulitude Live x United We Stream Australia". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  14. ^ Motez presents: Soulitude Live, retrieved 19 October 2020
  15. ^ "Motez Explains the Concept Behind His Collaborative Audiovisual EP 'Coalesce'". Yahoo Entertainment. 10 October 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  16. ^ "rage FIFTY 2023". ABC Rage. 12 December 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  17. ^ "WOMADelaide Celebrates 30 Years - Heralding the return of major festivals in Australia". cashless.womadelaide.com.au. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  18. ^ "Motez Live At The Wireless". triple j. 9 May 2022. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  19. ^ Goodridge, John (14 March 2022). "Live Review and Gallery: WOMADelaide Day Two featuring Melbourne Ska Orchestra, Motez and Courtney Barnett". The AU Review. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  20. ^ "Motez Interview - The Womadelaide Performances". Roland Resource Centre. 31 May 2022. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  21. ^ a b Keller, Lisa (20 June 2022). "Motez will takeover Illuminate Adelaide with new out-of-this-world installation". Glam Adelaide. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  22. ^ Leovic, Anjelica (22 April 2023). "Harsh Realities brings a STORM to Coffin Bay this week". Glam Adelaide. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  23. ^ "Breathe". MOD. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  24. ^ a b Which Made This Place Home (2021) - IMDb, retrieved 20 March 2024
  25. ^ a b "Strega". Adelaide Film Festival. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  26. ^ "Toggle (Extended Mix) by Motez on Beatport". beatport.com. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  27. ^ "Where Have You Been (Extended Mix) by Motez on Beatport". www.beatport.com. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  28. ^ "Patience (Extended Mix) by Motez on Beatport". beatport.com. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  29. ^ "Slow Down (Original Mix) by Motez, Qrion on Beatport". www.beatport.com. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  30. ^ Give Your Heart Away, retrieved 19 October 2020
  31. ^ "Motez - Andes". Armada Music. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  32. ^ "Give Me Space (Feat. The Kite String Tangle), by Motez". Motez. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  33. ^ "ReSet (Extended Mix) (Original Mix) by Motez on Beatport". www.beatport.com. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  34. ^ Stag, Acid (22 April 2022). "Motez - 'Submission'". Acid Stag. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  35. ^ "Motez Releases New Single, 'Get It Done', Feat. London MC Scrufizzer". Music Feeds. 22 September 2022. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  36. ^ "Motez Serves Up A Rave-Ready Banger For First Single For 2023, 'Be Prepared'". Life Without Andy. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  37. ^ Simmons, David (16 August 2023). "Motez' latest is a heavy-hitting Adelaide affair". CityMag. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  38. ^ "Motez, Doolie - Work Me (Extended Mix) [THRIVE MUSIC] | Music & Downloads on Beatport". www.beatport.com. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  39. ^ "AK SPORTS shares debut V/A on Club Madhouse imprint". Mixmag. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  40. ^ Lemonade (feat. TANISHA), 19 July 2024, retrieved 26 November 2024
  41. ^ Light In The Sky, 15 November 2024, retrieved 26 November 2024
  42. ^ "Itunescharts".
  43. ^ "ReSet from Sweat It Out on Beatport". www.beatport.com. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  44. ^ "Motez, Doolie, Elsy Wameyo, Dave Court, Rebel Yell - Coalesce [Own Your Chaos] | Music & Downloads on Beatport". www.beatport.com. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  45. ^ "Shelf Life". www.amazon.com. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  46. ^ "Discogs". Discogs.
  47. ^ "Discogs". Discogs.
  48. ^ "Dicogs". Discogs.
  49. ^ "Discogs". Discogs.
  50. ^ "Past Winners". South Australian Music Awards. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  51. ^ "South Australian Music Awards 2021 Winners". scenestr.com.au. 19 November 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
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