Winning By Proxy

Best Independent Artist nominees: 360, Ball Park Music, Chet Faker, The Jezabels, Royal Headache.

We have it on good authority that both The Jezabels and Ball Park Music will not present at the seventh Jägermeister Independent Music Awards. The Jezabels won in absentia last year, so that means Ball Park Music could very well score this year. 

Best Independent Album nominees: Falling And Flying – 360, Bloodstreams – DZ Deathrays, Prisoner – The Jezabels, Royal Headache – Royal Headache, The Temper Trap – The Temper Trap.

Missing in action on the night will be DZ Deathrays, The Jezabels and The Temper Trap. The Jezabels collected two transparent square trophies last year, so shouldn't be greedy. The Temper Trap's previous album was better than this one. Whoo-HOO! DZ Deathrays! Deserving winners in this category and also worthy ambassadors of the herbal digestive we'll all be consuming on the night. For evidence, check out the Bris Vegas duo's video for The Mess Up, which follows this basic premise: “two guys, one bottle of Jägermeister, three minutes.”

Breakthrough Independent Artist Of The Year nominees: Chet Faker, Husky, San Cisco, Royal Headache, The Rubens.

Not attending: Husky, San Cisco, The Rubens. Last year this one went to Emma Louise, whose radio smash, Jungle, penetrated the global consciousness through savvy syncs on Grey's Anatomy, The Slap and US MTV's Awkward. Much like San Cisco's catchy tune, Awkward, which makes the Vodafone Infinite TXT ad so memorable. Let's go with the charming and youthful Perth quartet then, shall we?   

Best Independent Single Or EP nominees: Boys Like You – 360, Gasoline – Alpine, Thinking In Textures – Chet Faker, Drums – Oh Mercy, Awkward – San Cisco.

Since San Cisco are the only band in this category who will be MIA on the night, our theory makes them a shoe-in for this award also. 

Best Independent Hip Hop Album nominees: Falling And Flying – 360, The Quickening – Funkoars, Deep Impressions – Katalyst, Future Shade – The Herd, Standing Strong – Yung Warriors.

So 'werd' has it that Katalyst and The Herd are keeping their distance from the JIMA ceremony this year. The Herd took out this very same category in 2008, so put your hands together for Katalyst! Ashley Anderson is one of this country's most criminally overlooked DJ/producers, so this result should attract thunderous applause.

Best Independent Blues And Roots Album nominees: Troubles Door – Ash Grunwald, Tin Shed Tales – John Butler, To The Horses – Lanie Lane, Leave It All Behind – Saskwatch, Spirit Bird – Xavier Rudd.

Ash Grunwald, John Butler and Xavier Rudd haven't RSVPed. Butler's already got two of these see-through statuettes in the poolroom – Best Performing Independent Album (2007) and Most Popular Independent Artist (2010). If we had to pick one, it'd be Rudd after his fantastic theMusic.com acoustic session. And he also has (marginally) better hair.   

Best Independent Hard Rock Or Punk Album nominees: Dancing With A Dead Man – Calling All Cars, Bloodstreams – DZ Deathrays, Smoko At The Pet Food Factory – Frenzal Rhomb, Crooked Teeth – House Vs Hurricane, The Peep Tempel – The Peep Tempel.

DZ Deathrays or Frenzal Rhomb both had better offers for Tuesday 16 October. In 2009, The Nation Blue got up in this category for Rising Waters, which was a popular result, and so perhaps this is an opportunity to give the heritage-listed some love? DZ rule though, so let's allow for joint winners here.

Best Independent Dance/Electronica Album nominees: HyperParadise – Hermitude, Thinking In Textures – Chet Faker, Twirligig – Jonti, Dreams – Oliver Tank, Dance Music – T-Rek, Doomsday Deluxe – Sampology

The only possible confirmed sightings you'll have on JIMA night 2012 are of Jonti and/or Oliver Tank. This category historically favours artists who are making their mark abroad – Midnight Juggernauts (2010) and Pnau (2011). Considering Jonti's been supporting Gotye on his recent US tour – 'nuff said.     

Best Independent Dance/Electronica Single nominees: Terms And Conditions – Chet Faker, Sleepless – Flume, Can't Get Better Than This – Parachute Youth, L.G.F.U. – Tom Piper and Daniel Farley, Go – Tonite Only

Flume and Tonite Only will not be hiring suits and heading to Revolt for the ceremony this year. The BIGSOUND buzz on Flume was massive. So give the young lad his trophy, already!