music
The ARIA AWARDS – As voted by us!
Nominees were announced for the 2015 ARIA Awards last week and, as usual, the
true winner is Australian music. However, because there has to be stand-outs, here’s a
few of the Online Marketing Team’s tips on who should take out the prizes.
Best Female Artist, Best Independent Release
Album of the Year, Best Rock Album
Courtney Barnett
Tame Impala
Intelligently honest lyricism, catchy guitar melodies and
an infectious personality are all on show in Courtney
Barnett’s debut album, Sometimes I Sit and Think, And
Sometimes I Just Sit. Having already won an ARIA for
best cover art on the album, Courtney Barnett has an
incredible 8 nominations this year and leads the pack in
representing Australian music.
Currently the biggest name in Australian music
worldwide, Tame Impala have evolved and evolved,
releasing album number 3, Currents, this year. This release
saw Tame Impala linchpin Kevin Parker experiment further
with innovative sounds and techniques, earning him early
awards for Engineer of the Year and Producer of the Year.
‘More people die on the road than they do in the ocean,
maybe we should mull over culling cars instead of sharks.’’
‘Currents is a stand out album of 2015. Not only does
it demonstrate the band’s ability to mix up their sound
with ease, but it also combines elements of different
genres into a unique blend. It is a fresh sound that stays
with you long after you’ve heard it and begs for you to
witness how it would be achieved in a live setting.’
– Tom
– Corben
‘Courtney Barnett is essentially Aussie, avant-garde and
lyrically provocative and witty. I think that’s why so many
people love her music. My favourite lyrics on the album are:
Best Live Act, Breakthrough Artist
SONG OF THE YEAR
Gang of Youths
Peking Duk
Gang of Youths broke onto the scene this year with their
debut album The Positions. The record cited the various
stages of emotion lead singer Dave Le’aupepe faced
dealing with his former-partner’s battle with cancer. The
album is raw, honest and resonated with a large amount
of Australians who flocked to see the band live on tour.
‘I saw them at the Spotted Cow this year and they were
phenomenal. Their recorded music just does not do
justice to the incredible energy they have on stage. You
know the lead singer is passionate about his songs, you
can hear it in his voice.’
– Toni
(‘Take Me Over’)
It didn’t take long for power-producers Peking Duk
to return to churning out hit singles after successfully
winning the ARIA Award for Best Dance Release for
‘High (ft. Nicole Millar)’ in 2014. Their latest dancefloorfiller features Melbourne up-and-comers SAFIA and has
captured the hearts of listeners from all genres.
‘You know how some songs just instantly resonate with
you, no matter what mood you’re in? This song does it
for me. I always feel like I can relax, let go and just be
loosey goosey with it.’
– Jess
Let us know who you would like to see win the awards
using #usqtunes on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Winners will be announced November 26.
#USQTUNES
IMAGES: SHUTTERSTOCK