All five have been significant success stories in the Australian independent sector in the past 12 months.
Sheppard were a major mainstream breakthrough. Their single Geronimo stayed at #1 for seven weeks, went triple platinum, and got Justin Bieber’s manager Scooter Braun so convinced it’ll become a US smash that he came on board as a co-manager. After their European and UK shows this week, they head to America to meet up with him face to face for the first time.
Melbourne’s Remi emerged as a significant new voice in Australian hip hop. His second album Raw X Infinity, made with musical collaborators Sensible J and Dutch and released through his own Hough of Beige label, got strong radio airplay and led to extensive tour dates across the country.
Sydney three-piece DMA’s signed to I Oh You based on demos made in their guitarist’s bedroom. Their debut single Delete got national airplay, as did the follow up self-titled EP (complete with cover painting by Sydney artist Total Bore) and got around to playing their first live shows.
Canberra beat and synth driven three-piece SAFIA after their song Sapphire but also means ‘serenity’ in Arabic) broke through nationally with the single Listen To Soul, Listen To Blues. They hit hard during the Paranoia, Ghosts, and Other Sounds tour and next month release new single You Are The One.
Melbourne-based 23-year old soul-pop singer songwriter Meg Mac showed off her pipes on the single Roll Up Your Sleeves and is set to drop her debut EP MEGMAC in mid-September.
The 9th Annual Carlton Dry Independent Music Awards are held on Wednesday October 8 at the Meat Market in North Melbourne.
