The awards, in their ninth year, are staged on Wednesday October 8 at North Melbourne’s Historic Meat Market. They were held at Revolt in Kensington in the past three years.
Awards presented during the evening include Best Independent Album, Best Independent Dance/Electronica Album, Best Independent Hard Rock, Heavy or Punk Album, and Best Independent Label among others. Nominees must have material released between August 1, 2013 and July 31, 2014. The recording must be owned by the artist, or an entirely Australian owned indie label.
Voting is by 250+ reps from online media, music press, broadcasters, the indie music sector and artists.
Past awards have reflected the rise and success of names as Gotye, Chet Faker, Paul Kelly, Flume, Vance Joy, Urthboy, Hilltop Hoods, Gurrumul, John Butler Trio, Eddy Current Suppression Ring, Parkway Drive and Wagons.
The past 12 months has seen the on-going success here and abroad by previous winners Chet Faker, Flume, Rufus, Dan Sultan and The Jezabels. In addition, there have been the emergence of Brisbane’s triple platinum Sheppard, Melbourne’s Courtney Barnett and Adelaide-hailed Sia. Scoring overseas record or management or agency deals in the past few weeks alone have been Ball Park Music Violent Soho, Brisbane’s Aversions Crown, Sydney’s Spookyland and Adelaide producer Motez.
It was also a strong year for Melbourne’s King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, winners of the inaugural Carlton Dry Global Music Grant. It funded their US and Canadian tour this year as well as their recording in upstate New York.
Applications are now open for the $50,000 grant for 2014. Interested artists should check the conditions of entry and the criteria before submitting an application here.
