Electric Fields facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Electric Fields
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Electric Fields in 2024
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Australia |
| Genres | Electronic, pop, soul |
| Years active | 2015–present |
| Labels | Warner Music Australia |
| Members | Zaachariaha Fielding Michael Ross |
Electric Fields is an Australian music duo. It is made up of singer Zaachariaha Fielding and keyboard player Michael Ross. Electric Fields mixes modern electronic-soul music with Aboriginal culture. They sing in Pitjantjatjara, Yankunytjatjara, and English.
The duo has released an EP (a mini-album) and several songs. In 2024, they became the first duo to represent Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest. Their song was "One Milkali (One Blood)".
Electric Fields: Their Journey
How Electric Fields Started
Zaachariaha Fielding and Michael Ross both tried out for The X Factor Australia in different years. Zaachariaha auditioned in 2011, and Michael in 2013.
The two started performing together as Electric Fields in 2015. Their music blends pop, soul, and electronica. People have described their sound as a mix of different styles.
In June 2016, the duo released their first EP called Inma. The name Inma comes from a special cultural ceremony of Aṉangu women. Their music often includes Zaachariaha's traditional languages, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara. Their songs range from pop to big electronic pieces and personal story-songs. Their music was played at festivals and on Triple J radio.
In 2016, Electric Fields won the Emily Burrows Award. This award helps new South Australian music artists grow their careers. The duo also won Best New Talent at the 2017 National Indigenous Music Awards.
In December 2018, Electric Fields was chosen to compete in Eurovision – Australia Decides. This competition decides who will represent Australia at Eurovision. They performed their song "2000 and Whatever" in February 2019. They came in second place overall. Later in 2019, Electric Fields toured Australia with "2000 and Whatever".
In April 2020, Electric Fields released a song called "Would I Lie" with the Norwegian group Keiino. In August 2020, they performed a famous song called "From Little Things Big Things Grow". They sang it with other Australian artists like Jessica Mauboy and John Butler. This performance was shown on ABC Television during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In October 2020, the duo performed "From Little Things Big Things Grow" at the 2020 AFL Grand Final.
Recent Adventures and Eurovision
In February 2021, Electric Fields performed at the Sydney Cricket Ground for Mardi Gras.
In November 2021, they signed a worldwide music deal with Warner Music Australia. They then released their song "Gold Energy". In March 2022, they released another song called "Catastrophe".
In February 2023, Electric Fields released "We the People". This song became the official theme song for WorldPride. They performed it for a huge crowd of 20,000 people in Sydney. They shared that "Pride is not just about acceptance, but feeling at home in your own individuality."
In July 2023, the duo performed with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. A live album of this performance was released in December 2024.
On March 5, 2024, Electric Fields was announced as the Australian representatives for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. The contest took place in Malmö, Sweden, in May. Their song was "One Milkali (One Blood)". The song includes lyrics in the Yankunytjatjara language. The duo performed in the first semi-final on May 7, 2024. They placed 11th and did not move on to the final.
On March 17, 2024, Electric Fields performed with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. This concert was called "Floods of Fire" and was part of the Adelaide Festival.
Meet the Members
Their Unique Bond
Electric Fields has a motto: "bypass the barriers." Zaachariaha Fielding and Michael Ross are very close friends. They often refer to each other as Mala (Zaachariaha, the "younger sibling") and Tjutja (Michael, the "older brother"). They are 10 years and one day apart in age. They believe their strong connection makes their music powerful.
Zaachariaha Fielding
Zaachariaha Fielding Zaachariaha Fielding grew up in Mimili, a community in the APY lands of north-west South Australia. He is the oldest of nine children. He studied Indigenous Australian music at the University of Adelaide.
Zaachariaha is also a talented artist. His artwork has been shown in many exhibitions. He won the Wynne Prize and the Ramsay Art Prize People's Choice award in 2023.
Michael Ross
Michael Ross is a singer, songwriter, pianist, and producer from Adelaide. When he was growing up, he was inspired by artists like Mariah Carey, the Cranberries, Tracy Chapman, and Lauryn Hill.
Before joining Electric Fields, Michael was a contestant on The X Factor Australia in 2013.
In Film
Electric Fields is the subject of a documentary called "Voice From The Desert." It was shown on SBS and NITV starting in December 2018. The film is part of the Our Stories series, which features new Indigenous Australian creative people.
The documentary shows the duo performing at the 2017 National Indigenous Music Awards. It also follows Zaachariaha as he visits Mimili, his home community. The film explores his early life and how he grew as an artist and person. It also includes interviews with his parents.
Discography
Albums
| Title | Details |
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| Live in Concert (with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra) |
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Extended Plays
| Title | Details |
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| Inma |
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Singles
As Lead Artist
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUS Digital |
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| "2000 and Whatever" | 2019 | 38 | non-album single | ||||||||||
| "Vision" | — | Deadly Hearts 2 | |||||||||||
| "Gold Energy" | 2021 | — | non-album single | ||||||||||
| "Catastrophe" | 2022 | — | |||||||||||
| "We the People" | 2023 | — | |||||||||||
| "Anpuru Maau Kutjpa" | — | Faraway Downs (Soundtrack) | |||||||||||
| "One Milkali (One Blood)" | 2024 | — | non-album single | ||||||||||
| "—" means the song did not chart or was not released in that area. | |||||||||||||
As Featured Artist
| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "No Other High" (Touch Sensitive featuring Electric Fields) |
2017 | Visions |
| "Would I Lie" (Keiino featuring Electric Fields) |
2020 | Okta |
| "Must Be Love" (Tseba featuring Electric Fields) |
2021 | Non-album single |
| "Fight for Me" (Barkaa featuring Electric Fields) |
2022 | TBA |
| "See Your Face" (Tseba featuring Electric Fields) |
2023 | TBA |
| "Red Future" (Snotty Nose Rez Kids featuring Electric Fields) |
2024 | Red Future |
Other Appearances
| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Shade Away" | 2017 | NIMA Presents: The Sound of Indigenous Australia - Now and Before |
| "Glorious" (Hermitude featuring Electric Fields) |
2019 | Pollyanarchy |
| "From Little Things Big Things Grow" | 2020 | Cannot Buy My Soul: The Songs of Kev Carmody |
| "Tjitji Lullaby" | 2022 | ABC Kids |
| "Tjarpala" | 2023 | Faraway Downs (Soundtrack) |
| "Antara Maau Kutjpa" | ||
| "Tjukurpa Spirit" | ||
| "Tjukurpa" | ||
| "Ngula" | ||
| "Dream On" (with the Prison Choir) | 2024 | How to Make Gravy |
Awards and Recognition
Electric Fields received a Robert Stigwood Fellowship. This program offers guidance and support for professional growth to artists.
AACTA Awards
The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards celebrate the best Australian films and TV shows.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | "Dream On" (Megan Washington) by Electric Fields & The Prison Choir | Best Original Song | Nominated |
AIR Awards
The Australian Independent Record Awards (AIR Awards) celebrate the success of Australia's independent music artists.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Live in Concert (with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra ) | Best Independent Classical Album or EP | Nominated |
ARIA Music Awards
The ARIA Music Awards are annual awards for the Australian music industry. Electric Fields has been nominated for two awards.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2000 and Whatever Tour | Best Australian Live Act | Nominated | |
| 2024 | Faraway Downs (with various artists) |
Best Original Soundtrack, Cast or Show Album | Won |
National Dreamtime Awards
The National Dreamtime Awards celebrate achievements by Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Themselves | Male Music Artist | Won |
National Indigenous Music Awards
The National Indigenous Music Awards recognize achievements by Indigenous Australians in music. Electric Fields has won one award from several nominations.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Themselves | Best New Talent | Won | |
| 2018 | Artist of the Year | Nominated | ||
| 2019 | Nominated | |||
| "2000 and Whatever" | Song of the Year | Nominated | ||
| 2020 | Themselves | Artist of the Year | Nominated | |
| Electric Fields and Keiino - "Would I Lie" | Song of the Year | Nominated | ||
| 2022 | Themselves | Artist of the Year | Nominated | |
| 2024 | Themselves | Artist of the Year | Nominated | |
| "One Milkali (One Blood)" | Song of the Year | Nominated | ||
| "Anpuru Maau Kutjpa" | Indigenous Language Award | Won |
National Live Music Awards
The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) celebrate contributions to live music in Australia.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Themselves | South Australian Live Act of the Year | Won | |
| Zaachariaha Fielding (Electric Fields) | South Australian Live Voice of the Year | Won | ||
| 2018 | Themselves | Live Electronic Act (or DJ) of the Year | Won | |
| 2019 | Live Act of the Year | Won | ||
| Live Electronic Act (or DJ) of the Year | Won | |||
| Zaachariaha Fielding (Electric Fields) | Live Voice of the Year | Won | ||
| 2020 | Won | |||
| 2023 | Themselves | Best Live Act | Nominated | |
| Best Live Act in SA | Nominated | |||
| Best Pop Act | Nominated | |||
| Zaachariaha Fielding | Live Voice in SA | Nominated | ||
| Zaachariaha Fielding (Electric Fields) | Best Live Voice | Won |
South Australian Music Awards
The South Australian Music Awards recognize excellence in the South Australian music industry.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result (wins only) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Themselves | Best Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island Artist | Won |
| People's Choice Electronic Award | Won | ||
| 2024 | Best Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island Artist | Won |
