The official home of Australian Independent Music, a place for music industry professionals alike, featuring the cream of the crop of Australia’s diverse and thriving independent music sector.

Sorry we haven't blogged for a while. It's because we've been attending a million different versions of the ARIA Awards.

Apparently the ARIA's at Sydney Opera House wasn't the best television. But that's alright, they took huge risks this year, changed location, changed format, changed television network. It's a high risk/high reward game.  ARIA are trying to get their show right for a national audience and at AIR we think it's important that they do. The ARIAs mean something....

That said, we've got a bit of gripe about the format. "Niche" awards for CRAZY genres like 'Dance', 'Blues and Roots', 'Hip Hop' and 'Metal' were awarded in the week leading up to the main event, a small ceremonies in the Botanical gardens. Yep, ummm niche...

Dance (Won by Yolanda Be Cool and DCUP, how many millions of sales worldwide?)

Blues and Roots (Won by Dan Sultan, one of Australian music's brightest stars)

Metal (Won by Parkway Drive, arguably one of the biggest bands in the country, certainly in terms of concert attendances, album and merch sales they are).

Hip Hop (Won by M-Phazes, one of Australia's best producers, our greatest exporting hip hop artist, currently working on tracks for everyone in world Hip Hop)

And what about Classical or Jazz? Are these genre's not worthy of a national audience, were their achievements any less impressive?

We need to celebrate the exciting parts of the Australian music industry, not hide it away. The talent, taste-makers and boundary pushers in Australian music reside in the fringes... it really worries us that ARIA are presenting an industry devoid of the tasty bits. Australia's Metal, Dance, Hip Hop and Dance need to be celebrated.

Finally, Independent Music is the lifeblood of our industry. Please never ever ever get an independent politician as a gimic to present that award again. It's an insult, Bob Katter doesn't care about contemporary music.

Finally,  Independent Labels won 17 ARIA's combined. How many did Sony or Warner win?

Yep, zero

Congratulations to the following Independent ARIA Award winning Artists!!!!

Best Male Artist
Dan Sultan - Get Out While You Can (MGM)

Best Group
The Temper Trap - Love Lost (Liberation Music)

Best Independent Release
Sia - We Are Born (Monkey Puzzle/Inertia)

Most Popular Australian Single
The Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition (Liberation Music)

Best Pop Release
Sia - We Are Born (Monkey Puzzle/Inertia)

Best Rock Album
Birds of Tokyo - Birds of Tokyo (Independent/EMI)

Best Comedy Release
Andrew Hansen, Chris Taylor & Craig Schuftan - The Blow Parade (ABC Music)

Best Classical Album
Paul Dyer and Australian Brandenburg Orchestra - Tapas - Tastes Of The Baroque (ABC Classics)

Best Jazz Album
James Morrison & The Idea Of North - Feels Like Spring (ABC Jazz)

Best Dance Release
Yolanda Be Cool and Dcup - We No Speak Americano (Sweat it
Out/Central Station Records)

Best Urban Album
M-Phazes - Good Gracious (Obese Records)

Best Blues & Roots Album
Dan Sultan - Get Out While You Can (MGM)

Best Children's Album
The Wiggles - Let's Eat! (ABC Music)

Best Original Soundtrack/Cast/Show
Various - Before Too Long: Triple J's Tribute to Paul Kelly (ABC Music)

Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album
Parkway Drive - Deep Blue (Resist Records/Shock)

Best Music DVD
Various - Sound Relief (Liberation Music)

Best World Music Album
Mamadou Diabate, Bobby Singh & Jeff Lang - Djan Djan (ABC Music)

Australian singer-songwriter Ash Grunwald [pictured right] is nominated for Best Blues and Roots Album at this year's Jagermeister Independent Music Awards for his sixth LP Hot Mama Vibes. The music video for his track 'Walking' is embedded above.

Ahead of this year's awards night - more details on that at the bottom of this post - we briefly caught up with Ash to talk independent music.

What's your favourite song of 2010 so far by an Australian artist, Ash?

It's weird but I really haven't been listening to much music this year.  First half of the year I was busy getting my album done so that involves a lot of demoing and what not, so all you listen to is yourself!!  After that you want a break from listening to anything!  Lately I've been listening to Angus and Julia Stone, but that was from last year. 

Favourite musical moment of 2010 so far?

Finally selling out The Corner in Melbourne.  I've had this curse where I fill the room to 95% but the 'Sold Out' sign has eluded me for years.  Now that I don't live in Melbourne it also felt like a bit of a homecoming so it was a pretty special gig.  I know it sounds weird but in you career you have your own little yard sticks, and that one felt like an award to me because it's been such a long time coming.  It was a super fun gig and a great night in general.

What does being independent mean to you?

Well it's totally the way to go.  There are a lot of challenges for sure but they are necessary so you just roll up your sleeves and get into it. There's so much to learn but if you have a good attitude and love making music, you'll get there.  If you're signed it can go horribly through no fault of your own.  Although things can go horribly wrong with distributors as well, as I just found out this arvo.

The main thing is making the music you want to make.  If you do it yourself you've got a better chance of making a living from music without selling out.  Theres no pressure on you to sell a million copies because you make more money per copy.

What's the biggest challenge you face as an independent musician?

For me its the legal side.  I hate that sort of thing and I haven't had a traditional manager for the majority of my career which is usually cool, but when those contracts come out its pretty hard to understand, and pretty boring quite frankly.  Same with a lot of the back-end money stuff.  I wouldn't really know if I've been ripped off in certain situations or not. That really pisses me off but I know myself well enough to know that its not in my personality to dot my i's and cross my t's, so I really need to engage the services of professionals more often.

Conversely, what's the best thing about being  independent?

The creative freedom. The fact that you can actually make some money from your record sales.  Not that no-one who signs a deal makes money but I believe you have to sell a fair few units, and that gets harder every year.  The fact that you are not locked in for the most part for more than one album is also pretty cool too.

As a musician, what would you ultimately like to be known and remembered for?

Well not that any of it is neccesarily true but I would love to be known as someone who was innovative within my genre.  Obviously that I was a really good songwriter and an amazing singer and not too shabby on the ol guitar!!  But who knows.

What's the best thing about being associated with AIR and the Jagermeister Independent Music Awards?

I feel honoured to be nominated and I don't mind the odd Jagerbomb here or there either.

Which Australian independent act deserves to be the 'next big thing'? 

Jordie Lane is an amazing singer songwriter but he's a weird cat.  He did some supports for me and bugged our bandroom!!!  Paranoia? Maybe thats what creates a good songwriter.

Finally, who do you think is going to win your category this year? Who deserves runner-up?

Well Dan Sultan will probably win coz he's nominated for a couple. Second? Well it could be anyone. Jeff Lang, Beautiful Girls? Mama Kinn? could be any of em, they're all really good.

Thanks for your time, Ash! For more info on Ash Grunwald, visit his website.

The 5th Annual Jagermeister Independent Music Awards are held at The Forum Theatre, Melbourne on Friday October 1st, 2010, featuring live performances from British India, Cloud Control, The Amity Affliction, M-Phazes, Sally Seltmann and Joe Chindamo. Doors open at 8:00pm; tickets are $29+BF and available now via Ticketmaster.

For more info on AIR and Australian independent music, visit http://www.ausindies.com.au/

Australian singer-songwriter Mama Kin [pictured right] is nominated for Best Blues and Roots Album at this year's Jagermeister Independent Music Awards for her debut LP Beat and Holler. The music video for her song 'To My Table'' is embedded above.

Ahead of this year's awards night - more details on that at the bottom of this post - we briefly caught up with Mama Kin (a.k.a. Danielle Caruana) to talk independent music.

What's your favourite song of 2010 so far by an Australian artist, Danielle?

I am on my last day of a National Tour with The Cat Empire, and the other support band was Clairy Browne and the Bangin Rackettes.. And I am loving one of their songs at the moment.. It is called.. 'Stephanie' (or 'She Plays Up To You').  This band is amazing and I believe they will go a long way.. So watch out for them!

Favourite musical moment of 2010 so far?

A couple of days ago I was at the Reggaetown Festival in Cairns and Nicky Bomba did an all-stars set and he pulled so many different artists up and into it with his incredible knack of being able to fly by the seat of his pants and take a stage full and a room full of people with him.  Joining him onstage were Harry Angus from The Cat Empire, Carlo and Sal from Blue King Brown, John Butler, Silas from Nea Combo Diffuzion (New Caledonia), Brother Michael and George Servanis from my little outfit.. And many others.  It was so infectious and so joyous.  I loved it.

And just last night we played a Union of Soul show with The John Butler Trio, The Cat Empire and Blue King Brown, and at the end of the night John called a whole lot of us up for a few songs.. It was like a party on stage and all the people in the audience felt it and we were all celebrating together.  So much fun.

What does being independent mean to you?

It means earning everything you do every step of the way.  There are no short cuts.. But there are also no doubts that you are where you are because of talent rather than because some big company has thrown some money and clout and muscle your way.  It means lots of hard work and being across every aspect of what I do, and it means building a great team one by one who are the core of everything I do.

As a musician, what would you ultimately like to be known and remembered for?

Someone who just did what they felt like doing and made the music that was truly mine to make.  I just want to be true to what moves me, rather than being fixated on what I think will move others.

Which Australian independent act deserves to be the 'next big thing'?

Tin Pan Orange, and Clairy Browne and the Bangin Rackettes.

Finally, who do you think is going to win your category this year? Who deserves runner-up?

I reckon its gotta be Dan Sultan. I love his album and I love his music and I think he is a great guy with a great story and a beautiful spirit.

Thanks for your time, Danielle! For more info on Mama Kin, visit her MySpace.

The 5th Annual Jagermeister Independent Music Awards are held at The Forum Theatre, Melbourne on Friday October 1st, 2010, featuring live performances from British India, Cloud Control, The Amity Affliction, M-Phazes, Sally Seltmann and Joe Chindamo. Doors open at 8:00pm; tickets are $29+BF and available now via Ticketmaster.

For more info on AIR and Australian independent music, visit http://www.ausindies.com.au/

Melbourne band The Red Eyes [pictured right] are nominated for Best Blues and Roots Album at this year's Jagermeister Independent Music Awards for their LP Red Army. The music video for their song 'Inside Out' is embedded above.

Ahead of this year's awards night - more details on that at the bottom of this post - we briefly caught up with The Red Eyes' guitarist, producer and founding member Damien Charles to talk independent music.

What's your favourite song of 2010 so far by an Australian artist, Damien?

'Will You Be There' by The Raah Project [music video embedded below]

Favourite musical moment of 2010 so far?

Listening to the finished version of our album Red Army in Benchmark Mastering on Don's mindblowing speakers.

What does being independent mean to you?

It means the freedom to make your own decisions and own your career, plus the responsibility that goes with it.

What's the biggest challenge you face as an independent musician?

Lack of finance in the early stages of producing and promoting the albums/videos etc

Conversely, what's the best thing about being independent?

Having all the say in how we do our thing from art to track listing etc. It really means if you work hard you can present your vision unadulterated to the world.

As a musician, what would you ultimately like to be known and remembered for?

Killing it at scrabble, having great nicknames and a killer live show.

Favourite music video of all time by an Australian artist?

Anything with Peter Garrett dancing is OK by me! [Live footage of Midnight Oil performing 'Power and the Passion' embedded below]

What's the best thing about being associated with AIR and the Jagermeister Independent Music Awards?

All the Jagermeister! That and its great to be in such good company, with some of the best and most credible acts in Australia at the moment doing music for the right reasons.

Which Australian independent act deserves to be the 'next big thing'?

Ronit. Amazing songwriter with a beautiful voice.

Finally, who do you think is going to win your category this year?

Dan Sultan.

Thanks for your time, Damien! For more info on The Red Eyes, visit their MySpace.

The 5th Annual Jagermeister Independent Music Awards are held at The Forum Theatre, Melbourne on Friday October 1st, 2010, featuring live performances from British India, Cloud Control, The Amity Affliction, M-Phazes, Sally Seltmann and Joe Chindamo. Doors open at 8:00pm; tickets are $29+BF and available now via Ticketmaster.

For more info on AIR and Australian independent music, visit http://www.ausindies.com.au/

Australian singer/songwriter Dan Sultan [pictured right with guitarist/songwriter Scott Wilson] is nominated for three awards at this year's Jagermeister Independent Music Awards for his latest release, Get Out While You Can: Best Artist, Best Album and Best Blues And Roots Album.The music video for his song 'Old Fitzroy' is embedded above.

Ahead of this year's awards night - more details on that at the bottom of this post - we briefly caught up with Dan Sultan to talk independent music.

What's your favourite musical moment of 2010 so far, Dan?

We played in China a few months ago – I don’t think they understood what were were up to, but everyone seemed to have a good time. In Australia, Splendour was the best gig we have done for a while.

What does being independent mean to you?

Owning the farm!

What's the biggest challenge you face as an independent musician?

It's a bit of a slog , but I recommend it.

Conversely, what's the best thing about being independent?

Not being answerable to anyone and having complete artistic control.

As a musician, what would you ultimately like to be known and remembered for?

Just good music and performing it well.

Favourite music video of all time by an Australian artist?

Hoodoo Gurus' 'I Want You Back' - it has plastic dinosaurs paying guitars. [embedded below]

Finally, what's the best thing about being associated with AIR and the Jagermeister Independent Music Awards?

It's a great opportunity to celebrate Australian Independent Music and I’m happy to be a part of it.

Thanks for your time, Dan! For more info on Dan Sultan, visit his website.

The 5th Annual Jagermeister Independent Music Awards are held at The Forum Theatre, Melbourne on Friday October 1st, 2010, featuring live performances from British India, Cloud Control, The Amity Affliction, M-Phazes, Sally Seltmann and Joe Chindamo. Doors open at 8:00pm; tickets are $29+BF and available now via Ticketmaster.

Dan Sultan and his band are giving away a double pass to this year's awards night - click here to enter by answering "what was your favourite independent gig, and why?" if you read this before the morning of Friday September 24, 2010.

For more info on AIR and Australian independent music, visit http://www.ausindies.com.au/

Australian roots trio The Beautiful Girls [pictured right] are nominated for Best Blues and Roots Album at this year's Jagermeister Independent Music Awards; a compilation video of live and in-studio footage filmed during the recording of their latest album Spooks is embedded above.

Ahead of this year's awards night - more details on that at the bottom of this post - we briefly caught up with The Beautiful Girls' singer and guitarist, Mat McHugh.

What's your favourite song of 2010 so far by an Australian artist, Matt?

I've been listening to mixes of the new album by Brisbane band Kooii and the first single 'One Step at a Time' is seriously amazing. I'm jealous of how well the guy sings. Our bass player Paulie B produced it and it's my favourite thing I've heard all year.

Favourite musical moment of 2010 so far?

My favourite musical moment was sitting in my car after mastering our album Spooks and listening through from beginning to end. I spent a lot of time on the album and, for the first time, felt really proud of an album of been a part of. It was such an overwhelming experience that it made me feel pretty emotional.

What does being independent mean to you?

Being independent means everything to me. It means being able to express myself exactly how I see fit. No dumbing down. No smoothing out the rough edges. No other considerations aside from putting out music that I'm proud of. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

What's the biggest challenge you face as an independent musician?

It's all a huge learning curve and you face a lot of obstacles along the way. The music 'business' is firmly rooted in making money above all else and without a huge budget it can be hard to get the coverage you need to get noticed sometimes. A lot of media (from the street press to commercial radio to the ARIAs) will give preference to a major record company that spends big advertising dollars over an independent band no matter how good they may be. Any day of the week.  They'll tell you they don't but that's just bullshit. Everyone ends up a part of this co-dependent organism where you're career becomes and endless excursion in back scratching, networking and pissing in the 'right' people's pockets. You can probably deduce that all that doesn't leave you with much time for giving a damn about music.

Conversely, what's the best thing about being independent?

Fortunately music lovers, especially Australia's, aren't stupid. I like to believe most people can smell a rat eventually and, conversely, most people can tell decent music when they hear it. The best thing about being independent is removing the barrier of bullshit that so often exists between musicians and their audience. I grew up listening to, and respecting, punk rock, where keeping it real was paramount. For music to continue to be a relevant cultural force, it needs to speak about reality. Uncensored, unfiltered, undiluted. It gives me a sense of pride being independent and knowing that we have to work ten times harder than everybody else just to be heard. It means that everyone that buys a record or comes to a show does so because it's their choice. They haven't had our music force-fed to them, and it's not the marketing but the music itself that appeals to them. That's a nice, honest notion.

As a musician, what would you ultimately like to be known and remembered for?

I'd like to be remembered as somebody whose words were backed up by his actions. There are so many fakes in the music business, so all I would like to be remembered as is somebody that was real.

Favourite music video of all time by an Australian artist?

I'm going to sound hopeless but I never, ever watch music videos. I'm sure there's a lot of amazing clips out there but if I'm not writing music myself I'm hanging with my family or surfing. Sometimes I read too. 

What's the best thing about being associated with AIR and the Jagermeister Independent Music Awards?

I love AIR and that there is an outlet to support independent artists. As you may have picked up, I'm extremely passionate about music having value that isn't always based in commerciality and organisations like AIR help perpetuate honest, independent thought and expression.

Which Australian independent act deserves to be the 'next big thing'?

I don't really care. I just hope whoever it is has something to say and that they contribute positivity and love to this planet.

Finally, who do you think is going to win your category this year? Who deserves runner-up?

Probably somebody that doesn't deserve to win will win and somebody that deserves to win will become runner-up.

Thanks for your time, Mat! For more info on The Beautiful Girls, visit their MySpace.

The 5th Annual Jagermeister Independent Music Awards are held at The Forum Theatre, Melbourne on Friday October 1st, 2010, featuring live performances from British India, Cloud Control, The Amity Affliction, M-Phazes, Sally Seltmann and Joe Chindamo. Doors open at 8:00pm; tickets are $29+BF and available now via Ticketmaster.

For more info on AIR and Australian independent music, visit http://www.ausindies.com.au/

Australian singer, songwriter and guitarist Jeff Lang [pictured right] is nominated for Best Blues and Roots Album at this year's Jagermeister Independent Music Awards; the music video for his song 'Southern Highlands Daughter'' is embedded above.

Ahead of this year's event - more details on that at the bottom of this post - we briefly caught up with the man himself.

What's your favourite musical moment of 2010 so far, Jeff?

For me personally it would be the last show of my recent Chinese tour in Shanghai. Small rock club, absolutely jammed full of people, 400 of them in a room that probably should only hold 300, energy peaking - just an awesome feeling, the sort of thing you get into music for in the first place.

What does being independent mean to you?

It means making the recordings the way I choose without interference or distraction.

What's the biggest challenge you face as an independent musician?

I guess that your visibility is not as high as it would be with major-label type cash being spent on getting your name out there. Maybe that sort of thing is dying out anyway, I wouldn't know. 

Conversely, what's the best thing about being independent?

I've always enjoyed the feeling of moving at my own pace, meandering steadily around the edges, following my own little path in the business. Being independent certainly gives you that option.

Favourite song of 2010 so far by an Australian artist?

'The Other Side Of The Mountain' by Chris Altmann. It's one of those songs that sounds like a classic straight away, which is very difficult to achieve. [Promo video for Chris Altmann's 2010 album, Que Paso, embedded below]

As a musician, what would you ultimately like to be known and remembered for?

For playing music with passion and some measure of originality.

Favourite music video of all time by an Australian artist?

No real high concept in this one: both 'Hell's Bells' by AC/DC and 'You Got Nothing I Want' by Cold Chisel [embedded below]. They both simply depict the band in a room playing the song, and they both made me want to play guitar. That direct, simple representation of a band appearing live - even though they were miming in the clip - had a powerful impression on me as a young lad.

Which Australian independent act deserves to be the 'next big thing'?

Jordie Lane. Great songwriter.

Finally, who do you think is going to win your category this year? Who deserves runner-up?

Well, obviously I should win... Right? Hello...?Hmmm... Maybe Dan Sultan will win this time - he's great. Three-way tie for runner-up between Ash Grunwald, Mama Kin and I, with it being decided by arm wrestling contest - Mama Kin ultimately kicking Ash and my arses!

Thanks for your time, Jeff! For more info on Jeff Lang, visit his MySpace.

The 5th Annual Jagermeister Independent Music Awards are held at The Forum Theatre, Melbourne on Friday October 1st, 2010, featuring live performances from British India, Cloud Control, The Amity Affliction, M-Phazes, Sally Seltmann and Joe Chindamo. Doors open at 8:00pm; tickets are $29+BF and available now via Ticketmaster.

For more info on AIR and Australian independent music, visit http://www.ausindies.com/

Australia's noisiest, most combative and politically active band have just released their first album in almost 4 years, and it's a departure. A powerhouse recording of deep dub and roots, recorded across the world with guest spots from some of the worlds most legendary reggae artists.

Blue King Brown are one of the hardest working bands we've ever had the pleasure to work with. I've had the pleasure of working along side the brainstrust of Natalie P'a'apa and Carlo Santone in a tiny office above a dilapidated pub on Brunswick St. Fitzroy. They took to all their projects with passion and fervour. They're vehemently independent and they have a vision that no one, absolutely no one will get in the way of... ever.