The inaugural AIR Charts Awards, presented by V Energy Drink, will be held on 29th November at the Blacket Hotel in Sydney. The AIR Charts Awards will honour outstanding achievements in sales by Australian independent artists – specifically those artists who are released through an Australian owned independent record label and also distributed through an Australian owned distribution company.
The NOMINEES are:
Best Performing Independent Album
Ben Lee – Awake Is The New Sleep (INERTIA)
Hilltop Hoods – The Hard Road (OBESE RECORDS)
Jo hn Butler Trio – Live At St. Gallen (JARRAH RECORDS)
Lior – Autumn Flow (SENSO UNICO)
Pendulum – Hold Your Colour (BREAKBEAT KAOS)
The Herd – The Sun Never Sets (ELEFANT TRAKS)
Best Performing Independent Single / EP
Behind Crimson Eyes – Prologue – The Art Of War / Cherry Blossom Epitaph (BOOMTOWN RECORDS)
Blue King Brown – Blue King Brown (ROOTS LEVEL)
Hilltop Hoods – Clown Prince (OBESE RECORDS)
KARNIVOOL – Persona (INDEPENDENT)
The Grates – The Ouch, The Touch (DEW PROCESS)
Independent Artist of the Year
Ben Lee
Hilltop Hoods
Jo hn Butler Trio
Lior
Pendulum
The Herd
Most Outstanding New Independent Artist
Behind Crimson Eyes
Blue King Brown
Gotye
Jen Cloher
KARNIVOOL
The Drones
Please see www.air.org.au/chartsawards for full details of each nominee and all associated V Energy AIR Charts Awards information.
AIR also revealed details of a new look Chart which will be unveiled at the AIR Charts Awards, presented by V Energy Drink
In the spirit of providing continued recognition to 100% Australian produced artists and music companies, at the awards event on November 29, AIR will unveil the details of key changes being made to the AIR Charts for 2007.
In appreciating that independent Australian music deserves clearer recognition and an increased profile at an industry and public level, a new look 100% independent chart will provide a strong mechanism through which Australian independent artists are promoted to the music industry and public audiences.
What this means for Australian independent music
AIR currently produces two charts each week, the ‘Independent label chart (which calculates sales of releases by independent labels, with any distribution, including majors) and the ‘independent label, independent distributor (or 100% Australian) chart. In 2007, AIR will relaunch the ‘independent label, independent distributor chart. Re-named and re-branded – the 100% indie chart – will be the key to AIRs weekly chart compilation, and the key focus for national distribution. As such, 100% Australian independent artists will benefit from added dedicated focus.
What this means for music consumers
The mission of the 100% Indie Charts, is to provide music fans with a clearer insight into what it means to be an ‘independent artist in Australia – in that the chart promotes artists released on Australian owned labels, and distributed through Australian owned distributors. They will gain a stronger understanding of locally owned and produced Australian music, and receive clearer information from AIR about top selling independent music, assisting their purchasing choices. Fans will also have a clearer understanding of how their choice to purchase 100% indie music supports the local music industry.
What this means for independent Australian labels with major distribution
While new emphasis will be placed on 100% Australian produced releases, AIR will continue to support Australian owned labels via the ‘independent label chart, which will be available online at www.air.org.au/charts.