The last time pop-dance talent Zoe Badwi spoke publicly was her dad’s birthday, so she may need to polish up on her public speaking skills for The ARIA Awards on November 26th. Badwi has been nominated for club smash “Release Me” for Best Dance Release and is up against icons Sneaky Sound System and The Presets. Rather than be freaked out by the competition, Zoe Badwi is thrilled about her nomination and looks forward to witnessing or even causing “something outrageous” at the ceremony. Ed Pitts reports
“It is so exciting – I just couldn’t believe it really”, she says ecstatically, out for lunch with mates celebrating. It turns out Badwi is celebrating something different though - her friend’s birthday. Such is the character of Zoe Badwi, a modest and hard working girl-next-door whose trajectory towards stardom has only just begun. “I am thrilled. I was in the car with Grant Smillie and the bigwig from the record company called and asked me to turn on speakerphone. Next thing I know I’ve heard I’ve been nominated for an ARIA award for Best Dance Release”!
This is her first nomination for the coveted award. Not a bad effort when you consider “Release Me” is Zoe Badwi’s first single. “It’s weird, This is the first solo track that I’ve written myself and I thought I’d just wait and see if other people liked it.” People didn’t just like it, they loved it. “Release Me” went on to become the country’s favourite club hit and was in the Top 10 ARIA Club Songs for the whole of 2008. “Wow, good on me! I’ll have a celebratory drink for that too,” she giggles throughout.
Zoe Badwi could soon be having a lot more celebratory drinks but first she faces tough competition from Hook N Sling, Tommy Trash, Sneaky Sound System and The Presets, the last two having already won ARIA awards. “I don’t know, my chances are probably slim to win against The Presets and Sneaky Sound System – They have both won this particular award previously. “Just to be up there with them is an honour and I’m stoked! I’m in the final five woohoo!”
The ARIAs Awards have been home to controversy over the years, namely ugly outfits and behaviour to match, so you can imagine Badwi’s excitement to experience the festivities for the first time. “I’m very interested to find out what it’s like. Something outrageous is bound to happen somewhere along the track,” she laughs, “But you know these things, they just have to happen off the cuff! Grant Smillie will be egging me on I’m sure!”
Being the industry’s night of nights, the array of celebrities and artists is endless and Zoe Badwi can’t wait to be a part of all the action. “I’m going to go around all the tables and formally introduce myself!” There are two individuals that may not receive that same warm welcome: The Presets’ Julian and Kim. “Do you want to know who I’d like to meet? The Presets…So I can say ‘back off’! No, I’m just joking!” Badwi’s laughs charmingly, “I’m yet to meet the Presets but the guys from Sneaky Sound System are great fun so it’ll be great!”
Zoe Badwi’s “Release Me” video can be seen below. Filmed at last year’s Sensation festival, Badwi performed live in front of 40,000 revelers which she describes as an life changing experience. “John Course and Grant Smillie were playing there and they were looking for a singer. Who wouldn’t want to do that?! 40,000 people! Grant (Smillie) thought it would be a great idea to film the video as I was performing. It worked out perfectly.”
The ARIA Awards will be held at Sydney’s Acer Arena on November 26.