To some, triple j’s annual Hottest 100 is like a bible, making the musicians who top the list God-like figures.

As fans of the main event scramble to get their votes in before Monday (if you haven’t, do it now), we had some past Aussie winners recall their big victories.

Vance Joy

Riptide, 2013

“I was in Auckland because the band and I were playing Laneway. We went into a local radio station for the final few songs so we could be on air. I remember clinking champagne glasses with the gang. It was a nice whirlwind to be in.”

scott baldwin, The Rubens

Hoops, 2015

“That evening was easily the most surreal moment of my life. Put it this way, my phone actually crashed from friends and family text messages/calls and people on Snap and Instagram blowing my phone up. My mind was blown away and my phone agreed. A year later and I'm still kicking myself! Thanks, everyone.”

Kram, Spiderbait

Buy Me A Pony, 1996

“We became the first Australian band to win the triple j Hottest 100 with Buy Me A Pony.  Honestly, it took us completely by surprise - I remember doing an interview about it at the time and being so gobsmacked I didn't really know what to say. I think because the song is essentially a cynical view of the music business. From a band’s point of view, we weren't expecting it to resonate so much with everyone. But it did and is still relevant today, I guess, with all the emphasis on stardom and success as dominant as ever. Winning the H100 is something we're all really proud of - it took us as a band to another level, and has a lot of meaning in the collective history of Spiderbait.”

Darren Middleton, Powderfinger

These Days, 1999 / My Happiness, 2000

“If memory serves me correctly, we were on the Big Day Out tour at the time [These Days] took pole position in the Hottest 100. We were pretty excited and typically surprised when we were told. A vote by the people? The best!!”

Angus & Julia Stone

Big Jet Plane, 2010

Julia Stone:

"We were hanging backstage at the Sydney Big Day Out after playing a show. We were pretty excited about the whole thing ‘cause they were down to the top ten. I remember getting ushered into the triple j radio room, seeing all the headphones and cables, hearing the presenters voices speaking, and the music and bass hum mix up noise of the festival in the background, bit dazed, thinking, ’We must be in the top ten.’ And then hearing as we sat down them announcing Little Red with Rock It at number two and being really confused. I looked at Angus, going, ‘Does that mean….?’”