Motez Explained

Motez
Birth Name:Moutaiz Al-Obaidi
Origin:Baghdad
Years Active:2010–present

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

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

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 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.[12] and garnered over 25,000 plays in the first day and won Best Video and Best Release at the 2020 SA Music Awards.

Coalesce

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.[13]

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.[14]

Live Show

Motez debuted his live show at Womad Festival on March 12, 2022.[15] 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'[16] 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.[17] 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."[18]

Installation Music & Other Ventures

In 2022, Motez along with long-time collaborators Mapped Design formed "Harsh Realities":[19] 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.".[20] Notable projects include ORBIT, showcased during Illuminate Adelaide, BREATHE,[21] 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.

Discography

Singles

EPs

Remixes

[39] [40] [41] [42]

Film Score

Awards

South Australian Music Awards

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.[43] |-| 2016| Motez| Best Producer| |- | 2017| Motez| Most Popular Electronic Artist | |- | 2018| Motez| Most Popular Electronic Artist | |- | rowspan="3" | 2020| rowspan="2" |"Soulitude" by Motez | Best Release | |-| Best Music Video| |- | Motez| People's Choice Electronic Artist| |- | rowspan="2" | 2021[44] | Motez| Best Solo| |- | Motez| Best Electronic| |-

Notes and References

  1. Web site: DJ with a Worldly Attitude. Williams . Vanessa . 1 December 2016 . thewest.com.au.
  2. Web site: Adelaide Producer Motez Has penned An Impassioned Facebook Post About Australias Refugee Crisis. Murphy . Sam. 30 May 2016 . musicfeeds.com.au.
  3. Web site: Triple J YouTube. .
  4. Web site: StackPath. 2021-04-20. amnplify.com.au.
  5. Web site: 2021 Winners. 2021-12-06. South Australian Music Awards. en-AU.
  6. Web site: Past Winners. South Australian Music Awards. 12 July 2019.
  7. Web site: 2018 Award Winners. South Australian Music Awards. 12 July 2019.
  8. Web site: 2020 Winners. 2020-11-20. South Australian Music Awards. en-AU.
  9. Web site: Motez Announces Biggest National Tour Date. Musicfeeds.com.au. 21 June 2017. Williams. Tom.
  10. Web site: Motez Makes a Sophisticated Return on His Late Thoughts Ep Out Now Sweat It Out.
  11. Web site: Daly . Rhian . 2017-07-19 . The Warehouse Project reveals full line-up for 2017 edition . 2022-09-28 . NME . en-GB.
  12. Web site: Motez presents: Soulitude Live x United We Stream Australia. 2020-10-19. Resident Advisor.
  13. Web site: 2023-10-10 . Motez Explains the Concept Behind His Collaborative Audiovisual EP ‘Coalesce’ . 2024-03-20 . Yahoo Entertainment . en-US.
  14. Web site: 2023-12-12 . rage FIFTY 2023 . 2024-03-20 . ABC Rage . en-AU.
  15. Web site: WOMADelaide Celebrates 30 Years - Heralding the return of major festivals in Australia . 2022-09-28 . cashless.womadelaide.com.au.
  16. Web site: 2022-05-09 . Motez Live At The Wireless . 2022-09-28 . triple j . en-AU.
  17. Web site: Goodridge . John . 2022-03-14 . Live Review and Gallery: WOMADelaide Day Two featuring Melbourne Ska Orchestra, Motez and Courtney Barnett . 2022-09-28 . . en-AU.
  18. Web site: 2022-05-31 . Motez Interview - The Womadelaide Performances . 2022-09-28 . Roland Resource Centre . en-US.
  19. Web site: Keller . Lisa . 2022-06-20 . Motez will takeover Illuminate Adelaide with new out-of-this-world installation . 2024-03-20 . Glam Adelaide . en-AU.
  20. Web site: Leovic . Anjelica . 2023-04-22 . Harsh Realities brings a STORM to Coffin Bay this week . 2024-03-20 . Glam Adelaide . en-AU.
  21. Web site: Breathe . 2024-03-20 . MOD . en.
  22. Web site: Toggle (Extended Mix) by Motez on Beatport. beatport.com. 12 July 2019.
  23. Web site: Where Have You Been (Extended Mix) by Motez on Beatport. www.beatport.com. 2019-12-29.
  24. Web site: Patience (Extended Mix) by Motez on Beatport. beatport.com. 14 April 2020.
  25. Web site: Slow Down (Original Mix) by Motez, Qrion on Beatport. 2020-10-19. www.beatport.com.
  26. Web site: Motez - Andes. 2021-03-15. Armada Music. en.
  27. Web site: Give Me Space (Feat. The Kite String Tangle), by Motez. 2021-03-30. Motez.
  28. Web site: ReSet (Extended Mix) (Original Mix) by Motez on Beatport. 2021-07-25. www.beatport.com.
  29. Web site: Stag . Acid . 2022-04-22 . Motez - 'Submission' . 2022-09-28 . Acid Stag . en-US.
  30. Web site: 2022-09-22 . Motez Releases New Single, 'Get It Done', Feat. London MC Scrufizzer . 2022-09-28 . Music Feeds.
  31. Web site: Motez Serves Up A Rave-Ready Banger For First Single For 2023, ‘Be Prepared’ . 2024-07-23 . Life Without Andy . en-US.
  32. Web site: Simmons . David . 2023-08-16 . Motez’ latest is a heavy-hitting Adelaide affair . 2024-07-23 . CityMag . en.
  33. Web site: Motez, Doolie - Work Me (Extended Mix) [THRIVE MUSIC] Music & Downloads on Beatport ]. 2024-07-23 . www.beatport.com . en.
  34. Web site: AK SPORTS shares debut V/A on Club Madhouse imprint . 2024-07-23 . Mixmag.
  35. Web site: Itunescharts.
  36. Web site: ReSet from Sweat It Out on Beatport. 2021-07-25. www.beatport.com.
  37. Web site: Motez, Doolie, Elsy Wameyo, Dave Court, Rebel Yell - Coalesce [Own Your Chaos] Music & Downloads on Beatport ]. 2024-03-20 . www.beatport.com . en.
  38. Web site: Shelf Life . 2021-01-28. www.amazon.com.
  39. Web site: Discogs. .
  40. Web site: Discogs. .
  41. Web site: Dicogs. .
  42. Web site: Discogs. .
  43. Web site: Past Winners . South Australian Music Awards . 29 March 2021.
  44. Web site: South Australian Music Awards 2021 Winners. scenestr.com.au. 19 November 2021. 20 November 2021.

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