Double Dippers

Please share with us a favourite memory from the award ceremony at which your band was victorious.
Kenny Sabir (aka Traksewt, The Herd): It was a funny moment shuffling the eight 'elefant's onto the stage to collect the award, and no one was stepping up to the mic. None of us were expecting to win – we thought awards ceremonies were scripted and the winners were notified in advance. Normally we can't keep those MCs quiet, and they can bust a smooth freestyle given any random topic for inspiration. But the difficulty is tenfold when you have to make a spontaneous acceptance speech. 

Sam Lockwood (The Jezabels, guitarist): We were overseas for the last ceremony, but I do remember getting the news and us all being over the moon.

Where does the trophy live? Do you have to share custody or did you each get a replica to keep?
KS: The trophy is at our label HQ /recording studio. We each had a five-minute cuddle of it, then we got to make heaps of replicas out of those glassy LEGO blocks. We sell the replicas at our gigs now.

SL: You'll have to ask our manager. He's the collector of our important things and, to be honest, I think he deserves it more than us. He's been our pseudo label over the past five years. It's a one-man operation!

What sort of impact do you feel winning an Independent Music Award had on your band?
KS: It was a well-needed boost for us, showing us some love from the people that count.

SL: I think that these awards are probably the most important to us because we do value 'independence'. Our manager had experience in the independent world and from the start never questioned the possibility of maintaining an independent position in the Australian music industry.

How does it feel to be nominated again?
KS: We feel humbled to be nominated again, as there are a lot of good choices on offer.

SL: It feels great! Each year there are so many sweet artists nominated so it feels good to have your band's name up next to theirs.

Do you think being a previous winner will affect your odds this time around?
KS:I don't expect being a previous winner will affect our odds, as the quality of music produced is always leap-frogging each year. I see it as a clean slate.

SL: I hope that being a previous winner doesn't mean anything! If we don't win though, that will be why. At least that's what we'll tell everyone.