Hilltop Hoods Return To Indie Charts With Two Tracks

Rap veterans Hilltop Hoods have made their triumphant return to the Carlton Dry Independent Music Charts this week, with two of their tracks debuting strongly in the singles/EPs Independent Labels Through Any Distribution chart.

While they couldn't edge out Sia and Chandelier (Monkey Puzzle/Inertia) or Sheppard and Geronimo (Independent/MGM) from the top two positions, their new single Won't Let You Down (Golden Era/Universal Music Australia) landed at three in its first week, while another track off their forthcoming LP, The Art Of The Handshake (Golden Era/Universal Music Australia), debuted at 13.

"It was Hillsong's return that made the strongest impact."

Six-piece Sheppard also enjoyed the next highest debut of the week - their latest Something's Missing (Independent/MGM) scored fifth place, with the currently-on-tour Chet Faker enjoyed a first time entry with Gold (Future Classic/Independent) in at nine. Hillsong also made a return back into the chart with their single This I Believe (The Creed) (Hillsong Music/Sony Music Entertainment) debuting at 14 and rap crew Thundamentals at 16 with Quit Your Job (Obese Records).

In terms of indie albums through any distro, it was Hillsong's return that made the strongest impact, debuting at one with new LP No Other Name (Hillsong Music/Sony Music Entertainment). Chet Faker moved up one spot into second with debut LP Built On Glass, while last week's number one, RUFUS dropped down to four with Atlas (Sweat It Out/Sony Music Entertainment).

The singles/EPs Independent Labels Through Independent Distribution chart was much of the same as the previously mentioned list, with Sia - Chandelier at one, Sheppard - Geronimo at two and the Brisbane band's latest Something's Missing at three. In fact the top five was dominated by the pair, with Sia's Big Girls Cry (Monkey Puzzle/Inertia) in at four and Sheppard's first self-titled EP (Independent/MGM) at five.

Chet Faker's Gold was a little higher up in this chart at six, as was Thundamentals' Quit Your Job - landing at nine. Punks The Smith Street Band, who've been touring with Violent Soho, debuted at 20 with Don't Fuck With Our Dreams (Poison City Records/Independent).

The Pierce Brothers also enjoyed a some success off their recent live show escapades - the duo landed back into the albums top 20 in the number one spot. Their LP The Night Tree (Independent/GAGA) pushed Thundamentals down to second with So We Can Remember (Obese Records).

The Smith Street Band pushed back into the 20 as well - their 2012 album Sunshine & Technology Poison City Records/Independent) moved into nine this week, while other re-entries came from rapper Kerser - No Rest For The Sickest (Obese Records), Horrorshow - King Amongst Many (Elefant Traks), Sia - We Are Born (Monkey Puzzle/Inertia) and Tanya Self - Random Truths (Independent/WJO) in at 15, 16, 17 and 19 respectively.