Courtney Barnett has stolen the show at this year’s AIR Awards, but should we really be surprised?
The talented artist has been awarded the title of Best Independent Artist for 2019 and her latest record Tell Me How You Really Feel has caused her to tie with Hurrumul’s album Djarimirri (Child Of The Rainbow) for Best Independent Album.
“It was great to celebrate the success of the Australian Independent music sector,” AIR GM Maria Amato said of the night.
The AIR Awards were held in Adelaide and are Australia’s UNESCO designated city of music. The awards celebrate the best creatives of the independent industry, on or off the stage.
The night began with a beautiful performance of Mojo Juju’s Native Tounge which, due to its creative fusion of RnB, hip-hop and soul, Mojo Juju got to take home the title of Best Independent Single.
G-Flip is our Breakthrough Independent Artist of the Year and Sydney rapper B Wise was recognised for his edgy album Area Famous with the award Best Independent Hip Hop Album.
Minister Pisoni, the Minister for Innovation and Skills, was in attendance in Adelaide’s iconic Freemasons Hall and noted how proud the Government was to support the local music scene, particularly “South Australia’s thriving local music industry.”
Check out the full list of humble winners below and go hit up Spotify to hear for yourself why these independent creatives have been praised.
Best Independent Label – Chapter Music
Best Independent Artist – Courtney Barnett
Best Independent Album or EP – Courtney Barnett’s Tell Me How You Really Feel & Gurrumul’s Djarimirri
Best Independent Single – Mojo Juju’s ‘Native Tongue’
Breakthrough Independent Artist of the Year [Presented by PPCA] – G Flip
Best Independent Hip Hop Album – B Wise’s Area Famous
Best Independent Country Album – Beccy Cole’s Lioness
Best Independent Blues & Roots Album – Emily Wurramara’s Milyakburra
Best Independent Hard Rock, Heavy or Punk Album – DZ Deathrays’ Bloody Lovely
Best Independent Dance/Electronica Album or EP – Confidence Man’s Confident Music For Confident People
Best Independent Dance, Electronica or Club Single – What So Not’s ‘Beautiful ft. Winona Oak’
Best Independent Jazz Album – Jonathan Zwartz’s Animarum
Best Independent Classical Album – Grigoryan Brothers/Adelaide Symphony Orchestra/Benjamin Northey’s Bach Concertos
Outstanding Achievement Award [Supported by Merlin] – Gerarda McKenna
