{{Short description|Australian record producer, musician and DJ}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}} {{Use Australian English|date=January 2021}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Motez | image = | alias = | birth_name = Moutaiz Al-Obaidi | origin = Baghdad | genre = {{hlist|House|Techno|Ambient}} | occupation = {{hlist|DJ|Record Producer|Composer|Installation Artist}} | years_active = 2010–present | label = {{hlist|Sweat It Out|Food Music|Ultra|Sony|Universal|Owsla|Armada|This Never Happened|Club Madhouse}} | associated_acts = | website = {{URL|www.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.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://thewest.com.au/entertainment/music/dj-with-a-worldly-attitude-ng-ya-124748|title=DJ with a Worldly Attitude|last=Williams |first=Vanessa |date=1 December 2016 |website=thewest.com.au}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/adelaide-producer-motez-has-penned-an-impassioned-facebook-post-about-australias-refugee-crisis/|title= Adelaide Producer Motez Has penned An Impassioned Facebook Post About Australias Refugee Crisis|last=Murphy |first=Sam|date=30 May 2016 |website=musicfeeds.com.au}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOOd1zTrWfE|title=Triple J YouTube|website=YouTube }}</ref> Motez's Song "The Future" featuring Antony and Cleopatra was certified Platinum in Australia.<ref>{{Cite web|title=StackPath|url=https://amnplify.com.au/motez-reveals-the-official-video-clip-for-give-me-space-and-partners-with-aymeric-to-create-a-special-series-of-nfts/|access-date=2021-04-20|website=amnplify.com.au}}</ref> He has won several South Australian Music Awards for Best Solo Artist (2021)<ref>{{Cite web|title=2021 Winners|url=https://southaustralianmusicawards.com.au/2021-winners/|access-date=2021-12-06|website=South Australian Music Awards|language=en-AU}}</ref> and Most Popular Electronic Artist (2016, 2018, 2020 and 2021)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://southaustralianmusicawards.com.au/about/past-winners/|title=Past Winners|website=South Australian Music Awards|access-date=12 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://southaustralianmusicawards.com.au/winners/|title=2018 Award Winners|website=South Australian Music Awards|access-date=12 July 2019}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=2020 Winners|url=https://southaustralianmusicawards.com.au/2020-winners/|access-date=2020-11-20|website=South Australian Music Awards|language=en-AU}}</ref>
==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.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/motez-announces-biggest-national-tour-date/|title=Motez Announces Biggest National Tour Date|website=Musicfeeds.com.au|date=21 June 2017|last=Williams|first=Tom}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://amnplify.com.au/motez-makes-a-sophisticated-return-on-his-late-thoughts-ep-out-now-on-sweat-it-out/|title=Motez Makes a Sophisticated Return on His Late Thoughts Ep Out Now Sweat It Out}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Daly |first=Rhian |date=2017-07-19 |title=The Warehouse Project reveals full line-up for 2017 edition |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/warehouse-project-reveals-full-line-2017-edition-2113262 |access-date=2022-09-28 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref>
== 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<ref name="Soulitude">{{Citation|title=Soulitude|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/0ORjkQMhPxpzewNoOzUwrs|language=en|access-date=2020-10-19}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Motez presents: Soulitude Live x United We Stream Australia|url=https://www.residentadvisor.net/events/1410069|access-date=2020-10-19|website=Resident Advisor}}</ref> and garnered over 25,000 plays in the first day <ref>{{Citation|title=Motez presents: Soulitude Live|url=https://www.facebook.com/motez.music/videos/motez-presents-soulitude-live/273665343778950/|language=en|access-date=2020-10-19}}</ref> and won Best Video and Best Release at the 2020 SA Music Awards.<ref name=":0" />
== 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-10 |title=Motez Explains the Concept Behind His Collaborative Audiovisual EP ‘Coalesce’ |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/motez-explains-concept-behind-collaborative-010623873.html |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=Yahoo Entertainment |language=en-US}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-12 |title=rage FIFTY 2023 |url=https://www.abc.net.au/rage/guest/rage-fifty-2023/103216564 |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=ABC Rage |language=en-AU}}</ref>
== Live Show == Motez debuted his live show at Womad Festival on March 12, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=WOMADelaide Celebrates 30 Years - Heralding the return of major festivals in Australia |url=https://cashless.womadelaide.com.au/news/2022/3/womadelaide-celebrates-30-years---heralding-the-return-of-major-festivals-in-australia |access-date=2022-09-28 |website=cashless.womadelaide.com.au}}</ref> 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'<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-09 |title=Motez Live At The Wireless |url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/live-at-the-wireless/motez-latw/13873618 |access-date=2022-09-28 |website=triple j |language=en-AU}}</ref> 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''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goodridge |first=John |date=2022-03-14 |title=Live Review and Gallery: WOMADelaide Day Two featuring Melbourne Ska Orchestra, Motez and Courtney Barnett |url=https://www.theaureview.com/music/live-review-and-gallery-womadelaide-day-two-featuring-melbourne-ska-orchestra-motez-and-courtney-barnett/ |access-date=2022-09-28 |website=The AU Review |language=en-AU}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{Cite web|date=2022-05-31 |title=Motez Interview - The Womadelaide Performances |url=https://rolandcorp.com.au/blog/motez-interview |access-date=2022-09-28 |website=Roland Resource Centre |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Installation Music & Other Ventures == In 2022, Motez along with long-time collaborators Mapped Design formed "Harsh Realities":<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Keller |first=Lisa |date=2022-06-20 |title=Motez will takeover Illuminate Adelaide with new out-of-this-world installation |url=https://glamadelaide.com.au/motez-will-takeover-illuminate-adelaide-with-new-out-of-this-world-installation/ |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=Glam Adelaide |language=en-AU}}</ref> 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.".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leovic |first=Anjelica |date=2023-04-22 |title=Harsh Realities brings a STORM to Coffin Bay this week |url=https://glamadelaide.com.au/harsh-realities-brings-a-storm-to-coffin-bay-this-week/ |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=Glam Adelaide |language=en-AU}}</ref> Notable projects include ORBIT,<ref name=":1" /> showcased during Illuminate Adelaide, BREATHE,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Breathe |url=https://mod.org.au/exhibits/breathe/ |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=MOD |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":2">{{Citation |title=Which Made This Place Home (2021) - IMDb |url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt21958502/fullcredits |access-date=2024-03-20}}</ref>) as well as the experimental, dance short film "Strega" (directed by Tiah Trimboli) which launched as part of Adelaide Film Festival. <ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Strega |url=https://www.adelaidefilmfestival.org/program/2024/strega |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=Adelaide Film Festival |language=en}}</ref>
==Discography== ===Singles=== * 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)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.beatport.com/track/toggle-extended-mix/12187566|title=Toggle (Extended Mix) by Motez on Beatport|website=beatport.com|access-date=12 July 2019}}</ref> *Where Have You Been (2019)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.beatport.com/track/where-have-you-been-extended-mix/12476160|title=Where Have You Been (Extended Mix) by Motez on Beatport|website=www.beatport.com|access-date=2019-12-29}}</ref> * Patience (2020)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.beatport.com/release/patience-extended-mix/2839487|title=Patience (Extended Mix) by Motez on Beatport|website=beatport.com|access-date=14 April 2020}}</ref> * Slow Down (2020) <ref>{{Cite web|title=Slow Down (Original Mix) by Motez, Qrion on Beatport|url=https://www.beatport.com/track/slow-down-original-mix/13761331|access-date=2020-10-19|website=www.beatport.com}}</ref> * Give Your Heart Away (2020) <ref>{{Citation|title=Give Your Heart Away|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/2lJuvDCZzUDVPr94L86xJC|language=en|access-date=2020-10-19}}</ref> *Andes (2021)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Motez - Andes|url=https://www.armadamusic.com/music/andes-motez?token=uRcyuummLgRNI-28H2L3Cn2Ugg-t88cx|access-date=2021-03-15|website=Armada Music|language=en}}</ref> *Give Me Space feat. The Kite String Tangle (2021)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Give Me Space (Feat. The Kite String Tangle), by Motez|url=https://motezmusic.bandcamp.com/album/give-me-space-feat-the-kite-string-tangle|access-date=2021-03-30|website=Motez}}</ref> *ReSet (2021)<ref>{{Cite web|title=ReSet (Extended Mix) (Original Mix) by Motez on Beatport|url=https://www.beatport.com/track/reset-extended-mix/15326096|access-date=2021-07-25|website=www.beatport.com}}</ref> *Submission (2022) <ref>{{Cite web |last=Stag |first=Acid |date=2022-04-22 |title=Motez - 'Submission' |url=https://acidstag.com/2022/04/motez-submission/ |access-date=2022-09-28 |website=Acid Stag |language=en-US}}</ref> *Get it Done feat. Scrufizzer (2022) <ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-22 |title=Motez Releases New Single, 'Get It Done', Feat. London MC Scrufizzer |url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/motez-releases-new-single-get-it-done-featuring-london-mc-scrufizzer/ |access-date=2022-09-28 |website=Music Feeds}}</ref> *Be Prepared <ref>{{Cite web |title=Motez Serves Up A Rave-Ready Banger For First Single For 2023, ‘Be Prepared’ |url=https://lifewithoutandy.com/news/music/motez-serves-rave-ready-banger-first-single-2023-prepared/ |access-date=2024-07-23 |website=Life Without Andy |language=en-US}}</ref> *Make Way (feat. Elsy Wameyo)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Simmons |first=David |date=2023-08-16 |title=Motez’ latest is a heavy-hitting Adelaide affair |url=https://citymag.indaily.com.au/culture/motez_make_way_release/ |access-date=2024-07-23 |website=CityMag |language=en}}</ref> *Work Me (feat. DOOLIE)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Motez, Doolie - Work Me (Extended Mix) [THRIVE MUSIC] {{!}} Music & Downloads on Beatport |url=https://www.beatport.com/release/work-me-extended-mix/4540470 |access-date=2024-07-23 |website=www.beatport.com |language=en}}</ref> *Good 2 Go<ref>{{Cite web |title=AK SPORTS shares debut V/A on Club Madhouse imprint |url=https://mixmag.net/read/ak-sports-shares-debut-v-a-on-club-madhouse-imprint-news |access-date=2024-07-23 |website=Mixmag}}</ref> *Lemonade (feat. TANISHA) <ref>{{Citation |title=Lemonade (feat. TANISHA) |date=2024-07-19 |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/5JO6f00F0PN2vh3Djg89x9 |access-date=2024-11-26 |language=en}}</ref> *Light in the Sky (feat. Lauren Ray)<ref>{{Citation |title=Light In The Sky |date=2024-11-15 |url=https://open.spotify.com/track/2dNUiG7dynCHnHwKyg0YT9 |access-date=2024-11-26 |language=en}}</ref>
===EPs=== * Call My Name EP (2013) * No Need To Panic (2014) * Vancouver (2015) * The Vibe EP (2016)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.itunescharts.net/aus/artists/music/motez/|title=Itunescharts}}</ref> * Late Thoughts EP (2018) * Soulitude (2020) <ref name="Soulitude"/> *ReSet (2021)<ref>{{Cite web|title=ReSet from Sweat It Out on Beatport|url=https://www.beatport.com/release/reset/3439610|access-date=2021-07-25|website=www.beatport.com}}</ref> *Coalesce (2023)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Motez, Doolie, Elsy Wameyo, Dave Court, Rebel Yell - Coalesce [Own Your Chaos] {{!}} Music & Downloads on Beatport |url=https://www.beatport.com/release/coalesce/4290769 |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=www.beatport.com |language=en}}</ref>
===Remixes===
* Anna Lunoe - DBS (Motez Remix) * Golden Features feat. Rromarin - Touch (Motez Remix) * Ninajirachi - Start Small (Motez Remix) * Flume feat. Caroline Polachek - Sirens (Motez Remix) * Client Liaison - Elevator Up (Motez Remix) *Icarus (band) – Sirens (Motez Remix) *Northeast Party House - Shelf Life (Motez Remix)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Shelf-Life-Motez-Remix-Explicit/dp/B08PDT3Z29|access-date=2021-01-28|website=www.amazon.com|title=Shelf Life }}</ref> *[https://www.beatport.com/release/rules-motez-remix/2817828 Tensnake - Rules (Motez Remix)] *[https://www.beatport.com/release/north/2845801 The Kite String Tangle - North (Motez Remix)] * Karma Fields - Colorblind ft. Tove Lo (Motez Remix) * Peking Duk – Wasted (Motez Remix) * Allen French – Nova Vida (Motez Remix) * Flight Facilities – Sunshine feat. Reggie Watts (Motez Remix) * Sam Smith – Leave Your Lover (Motez Remix) * Disclosure – Omen (Motez Remix) [feat. Sam Smith] * Panama – Jungle (Motez Remix) * Flight Facilities – Clair de Lune (Motez Remix) * Owl Eyes – Open Up (Motez Remix) * Tyler Touché – Heart in Motion (Motez Remix) * Madison Avenue – Don't Call Me Baby (Motez Remix) * Gary Richards – "All Nite" ft. E-40 & Too $hort (Motez Remix) * Rufus Du Sol – Desert Night (Motez Remix) * Ellie Goulding – Beating Heart (Motez Remix)
<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.discogs.com/artist/2188897-Motez?subtype=Remix&filter_anv=0&type=Credits&page=1/|title=Discogs|website=Discogs }}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/2188897-Motez?subtype=Remix&filter_anv=0&type=Credits&page=2/|title=Discogs|website=Discogs }}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/2188897-Motez?filter_anv=0&type=Appearances/|title=Dicogs|website=Discogs }}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/2188897-Motez?filter_anv=0&subtype=Singles-EPs&type=Releases/|title=Discogs|website=Discogs }}</ref>
=== Film Score ===
* Which Made This Place Home - Short Film (Directed, Produced and Written by Maddie Gramatopoulos)<ref name=":2" /> * Strega - Short Film (Directed by Tiah Trimboli) <ref name=":3" />
==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.<ref name=PastWinners>{{cite web|url= https://southaustralianmusicawards.com.au/about/past-winners/ |title = Past Winners |website= South Australian Music Awards |access-date=29 March 2021}}</ref> {{awards table}} {{small|(wins only)}} |- | 2016 | Motez | Best Producer | {{won}} |- | 2017 | Motez | Most Popular Electronic Artist | {{won}} |- | 2018 | Motez | Most Popular Electronic Artist | {{won}} |- | rowspan="3" | 2020 | rowspan="2" |"Soulitude" by Motez | Best Release | {{won}} |- | Best Music Video | {{won}} |- | Motez | People's Choice Electronic Artist | {{won}} |- | rowspan="2" | 2021<ref name="SAMA2021wins">{{cite web|url=https://scenestr.com.au/music/south-australian-music-awards-2021-winners-20211119|title=South Australian Music Awards 2021 Winners|website=scenestr.com.au|date=19 November 2021|access-date=20 November 2021}}</ref> | Motez | Best Solo | {{won}} |- | Motez | Best Electronic | {{won}} |- {{end}}
==References== {{reflist}}
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Category:Living people Category:Iraqi emigrants to Australia Category:Australian electronic musicians Category:Australian house musicians Category:Australian electronic dance music DJs Category:Year of birth missing (living people)