Well well well, Amy Shark should be blushing a big right now. After writing her most recent hit “I Said Hi” about the music industry ignoring her until the release of her 2016 breakout hit “Adore,” the industry itself has just done her a huge favour, nominating her for nine different ARIA awards, the most of any artist. Hearty singer songwriter Courtney Barnett, professional party starters PNAU, talented Tash Sultana and Australian sweetheart Dean Lewis have all done enough to be nominated for multiple categories as well.
Cruising in to international airwaves, it makes sense pre teen heart throbs (secretly loved by us all) 5 Seconds of Summer and Troy Sivan also have a big presence in this years nominations. They will go head to head for Apple Music’s Song of the Year, with “YoungBlood” and “My My My” up against some hot competition including Peking Duk’s “Fire and Conrad Sewell’s “Healing Hands.” This year Apple Music gives fans the chance to make the decision, so make sure you vote or don’t complain later that the ARIA’s don’t reflect Australia’s opinions.
Another category where artists need your help is the Best Live Act category, which really demonstrates the versatility and depth in Australian artists right now. After a quieter year than last Gang of Youths cult like fan base will definitely be out in force for this one! If you think Paul Kelly, Client Liason Amy Shark, Courtney Barnett, Dean Lewis, Paul Kelly, PNAU or Tash Sultana put on the show of the year then you better get voting.
Everyone knows nothing compares to your first time, so here’s a look at five artists who have made in on to the honourable list of ARIA nominees for the very first time!
Camp Cope – Best Rock Album
Alt-Rock trio and powerhouse girl group Camp Cope have been nominated for Best Rock Album on the back of their powerful, grungy and melodic second album How to Socialise and Make Friends. While harmonious and dreamy the album sends a strong message as the trio on and off stage are strong advocates for gender equality and equality as a whole. Witty but gripping lines like “get another female opener, that’ll fill the quota” are prolific and memorable in the album.
Lead singer and guitarist Georgia “Maq” Mcdonald has a distinctive and deep voice which defines the album. Despite this, the album is diverse and wanders through soft pop and hard rock, narrating stories of growing up as a girl in Australia.
To learn a bit more about Camp Cope click HERE.
Fisher- Best Dance Release
There has never been a harder year to be a Dj in Australia – trying to play a set with a whole crowd chanting for “Losing It” by Fisher despite the fact it has already been played five times that night. Ex Pro surfer and previously one half of tech house duo Cut Snake, Fisher has had an unbelievable year, with his most recent single “Losing It” cementing his name in the cut throat industry.
Singles “Ya Kidding” and “Crowd Control” brought people who would never have listened to house music swarming to Fisher shows and learning to love the genre. “Losing It’ is a catchy and well produced track which was the most played song at Tomorrowland despite only being released a week prior. Lost Frequencies, Jauz, Alison Wonderland and Brohug all snuck the festival anthem in to their set with Aussies punters who made the trek to Belguim, creating a riot each time for the local hero.
Fisher’s Instagram following is getting almost as big as his songs, with his impromptu, comedic stories and indistinguishable cackle making you laugh and roll your eyes simultaneously. If you want Australia to be any more stereotyped overseas, Fisher is the laidback Aussie larrikin getting up to no good wherever he goes.
To check out Fisher’s hilarious Instagram click HERE.
Middle Kids – Best Rock Album
Middle kids syndrome is the disease of being ignored and forgotten as parents focus on the younger and elder siblings. However, these Middle Kids have been impossible to forget this year as they released Lost Friends, a radiant, sincere, anthemic and perfectly executed debut album.
The album talks about the messiness of life in the most climatic and heartfelt way possible, while you still come away feeling happy and satisfied. It’s comfortable but unique, packed with road trip singalongs and bursting with danceable melodies. This is their first album and first ARIA nomination but with lead singer Hannah’s stunning voice and their innate songwriting ability these guys are the ones to watch!
On the back of this announcement Middle Kids also premiered a new single on Triple J this afternoon, so make sure to keep an eye out for that one in the coming days!
For more info about Middle Kids click HERE.
Odette – Breakthrough Artist
With Flume, Amy Shark and Montaigne being previous winners of the Breakthrough Artist ARIA, this award is nothing to scoff at. Odette is a unique artist with a blend of influences making it difficult to encapsulate her sound. Tender and smooth, her multi instrumentalism and lyricism matches the emotion in her voice.
Determined and risky this year in her debut album To A Stranger she even released some spoken word songs backed solely by piano, mastering a simplistic vulnerability. Showing again her confidence for her Triple J Like a Version this year she took on Gang of Youths “Magnolia” completely transforming the already stunning and emotional song.
To learn more about the mesmerizing Odette click HERE.
West Thebarton – Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album
Smashing a set at Splendour before heading of to major English Festivals Leads and Reedings these Adelaide Rockers, rock HARD! These guys have been around for a while but punchy punk tracks “Moving Out” and “Bible Camp” made us really listen and eventually work out how “Thebarton” is pronounced.
West Thebarton described their debut album Different Beings Being Different as “pub rock in disguise” I have to disagree… this is pub rock. But Pub rock at its best.
For more info about West Thebarton click HERE.
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The winners will be announced on 28th November and broadcast on the Nine Network. To check out the full list of this years ARIA nominees head HERE.
