“It was great to celebrate the success of the Australian Independent music sector."
Some of the country’s best artists have been acknowledged tonight at the 2019 AIR Awards, with Courtney Barnett picking up multiple awards while Mojo Juju, DZ Deathrays and more also won big.
Held at Adelaide’s Freemasons Halls in conjunction with music industry conference Indie-Con, Barnett took out Best Independent Artist (for the second time) and Best Independent Album Or EP for Tell Me How You Really Feel, the latter award also being bestowed to Gurrumul for posthumous album Djarimirri (Child Of The Rainbow).
After opening the ceremony with a performance of acclaimed single Native Tongue, Mojo Juju won Best Independent Single, while Best Independent Label went to Chapter Music, who will receive a digital marketing package valued at $20,000 to help showcase their talent.
“It was great to celebrate the success of the Australian Independent music sector in Adelaide,” AIR GM Maria Amato said.
“We congratulate all the award recipients and thank the South Australian Government for their continued support as well as our valued supporting partners.”
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Here’s the full list of 2019 winners:
BEST INDEPENDENT LABEL
Chapter Music
BEST INDEPENDENT ARTIST
Courtney Barnett
BEST INDEPENDENT ALBUM OR EP
Courtney Barnett – Tell Me How You Really Feel
Gurrumul – Djarimirri
BEST INDEPENDENT SINGLE
Mojo Juju – Native Tongue
BREAKTHROUGH INDEPENDENT ARTIST OF THE YEAR
G FLIP
BEST INDEPENDENT HIP HOP ALBUM
B Wise – Area Famous
BEST INDEPENDENT COUNTRY ALBUM
Beccy Cole – Lioness
BEST INDEPENDENT BLUES AND ROOTS ALBUM
Emily Wurramara – Milyakburra
BEST INDEPENDENT HARD ROCK, HEAVY OR PUNK ALBUM
DZ Deathrays – Bloody Lovely
BEST INDEPENDENT DANCE/ELECTRONICA ALBUM OR EP
Confidence Man – Confident Music For Confident People
BEST INDEPENDENT DANCE, ELECTRONICA OR CLUB SINGLE
What So Not – Beautiful (Feat. Winona Oak)
BEST INDEPENDENT JAZZ ALBUM
Jonathan Zwartz - Animarum
BEST INDEPENDENT CLASSICAL ALBUM
Grigoryan Brothers/Adelaide Symphony Orchestra/Benjamin Northey – Bach Concertos
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD SUPPORTED BY MERLIN
Gerarda Mckenna