Some people watched – or more sensibly, read about it afterwards because who really wants to sit through a list announcement in the middle of a work day? – the ARIA Awards nominations last month and thought: yeah, finally. Or maybe, I can’t believe they nominated … have they not heard that last record???
Possibly there were some exclamations of I love him/her/them, I hope they win bigly. And somewhere for sure certain people, perhaps certain people of a certain age, said who? And said it not so much with confusion as outrage that there existed artists they’d never heard of when, after all, they were switched on types who have always been on the edge. Look, they even listen to Smooth FM and FBi, KIIS and SER. So they are down with the kids, right?
But among those watching/reading and those ready to pounce on them, was there any sense of the recent history, or what might the past tell us about the present? And what our responses to it, then and now, say about us?
Wind Back Wednesday steps into the breach with first of all a link to this year’s nominations and then coverage of the 2014 ARIA nominations and craft winners in a year that got hairy, occasionally scary, in one category quite shocking when ARIA let more than one woman compete with the boys, and in another category a bit weird as the best digital retailer was awarded a pointy trophy.
So now, read ‘em and ponder, read ‘em and compare, read ‘em and weep.
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WE MAY BE NEARING a cultural tipping point, what worried scientists are calling Peak Beard, but the elaborately hirsute Chet Faker is making a defiant last stand at this year's ARIA Awards.
The independent Melbourne songwriter, producer and surprisingly soulful singer, formally known as Nick Murphy, heads towards November's music industry love-in not only with a pack-leading nine nominations but three of the awards already in his back pocket.
"I've spent so much of this year on the road overseas and this sounds strange but you get really lonely and [nominations] are like my home country is encouraging me, like good on you mate," says Faker.
At Tuesday's announcement of the nominations for the major categories and presentation of fine art and technical awards, Faker was named producer of the year for his debut album, Built On Glass, which reached number one in the local charts this year. Meanwhile, his offsider on the project, Eric J Dubowsky, was named engineer of the year and the album won best cover art for the team of Tin and Ed.
If these are portents then Murphy/Faker stand a good chance of taking Faker's electronica-meets-soul blend where few beards have gone before come November 26. On that night he will be in contention for – and you are advised to take a deep breath before reading on - album of the year, best male artist, breakthrough artist, best independent, best video and best dance categories for his collaboration with Sydney's beard-free producer Harley Streten, aka Flume.
It's worth noting that Streten, who last year also scored nine nominations, went on to win best male artist (the first time for a non-vocalist/producer), breakthrough artist and producer of the year at the 2013 ARIA Awards.
Continuing the good run for independent artists were the next three most nominated artists. Brisbane's folk pop group Sheppard (seven nominations including song of the year for their long-running national No.1, Geronimo), international songwriter to the stars, Sia (six nominations including best female and album of the year for her US No.1, 1000 Forms Of Fear) and Melbourne's rock star-in-waiting Dan Sultan (five nominations including best male, best rock and album of the year).
If those big names are no surprises, there are a few newcomers or slightly left of centre artists vying for an ARIA. And in this case we're not talking teenage superstars 5 Seconds of Summer, whose four nominations, including best group, may round out an astonishing year of worldwide number one album and single successes.
Emma Swift, broadcaster and journalist, knows the music industry from both the outside and the inside. Her nomination for best country album for her self-titled debut was a shock for the Sydney-and-Nashville based performer who attended thinking she was there in an official capacity.
"Country music is Australia is very diverse," a still stunned Swift said, pointing out she would call her slow and tear-filled style alternative country, or even, semi seriously, sadcore. "I am hoping by 2020 sadcore will be its own category."
NOMINEES
Album of the year
Chet Faker – Built On Glass (Future Classic)
Dan Sultan – Blackbird (Liberation Music)
Jessica Mauboy – Beautiful (Sony Music Entertainment Australia)
Sheppard – Bombs Away (Empire of Song/Chugg Music/MGM Distribution)
Sia – 1000 Forms of Fear (Inertia Recordings)
Best adult contemporary album
Gossling – Harvest Of Gold (Dew Process)
Kate Miller - Heidke – O Vertigo! (Cooking Vinyl Australia)
Neil Finn & Paul Kelly – Goin' Your Way (EMI)
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds –Live From KCRW (Kobalt Label Services)
Tina Arena – Reset (EMI)
Best blues and roots album
Harry Hookey – Misdiagnosed (Essence Group)
John Butler Trio – Flesh & Blood (Jarrah Records/MGM)
Russell Morris – Van Diemen's Land (Fanfare Records/EMI)
The Audreys – 'Til My Tears Roll Away (ABC Music/UMA)
The Bamboos - Fever In The Road (Pacific Theatre/Inertia)
Best children's album
Alex Papps – Let's Put The Beat In Our Feet (ABC Music/UMA)
Ali McGregor – Ali McGregor's Jazzamatazz (ABC Music/UMA)
Jay Laga'aia – Christmas at Jay's Place (ABC Music/UMA)
Sam Moran – Play Along With Sam: We're Gonna Dance! (6 Degrees Records)
The Wiggles – Apples & Bananas (ABC Music/UMA)
Best comedy release
Buddy Goode – It's A Buddy Goode Christmas (ABC Music/UMA)
Franky Walnut – The Franky Walnut Reflective Drink Coaster (One Louder Recordings/Universal Music Australia)
Ja'mie – Learning To Be Me (ABC Music)
Ronny Chieng – The Ron Way (Century Entertainment)
The Beards – The Beard Album (Independent/MGM)
Best country album
Adam Brand – My Side Of The Street (ABC Music/UMA)
Emma Swift – Emma Swift (Laughing Outlaw/Inertia)
Kasey Chambers – Bittersweet (Essence Group)
Keith Urban – (FuseCapitol/EMI)
The McClymonts – Here's To You & I (Island Records Australia/Universal Music Australia)
Best dance release
Flume & Chet Faker - Drop The Game (Future Classic)
Nicky Night Time - Everybody Together (ONELOVE/Xelon)
Peking Duk feat. Nicole Millar – High (Vicious Bitch/Universal)
RUFUS – Sundream (Sweat It Out/Sony Music Entertainment Australia)
The Presets - No Fun (Modular/Universal)
Best female artist
Adalita – All Day Venus (Liberation Music)
Iggy Azalea – The New Classic (Virgin/Universal Music Australia)
Jessica Mauboy – Beautiful (Sony Music Entertainment Australia)
Kasey Chambers – Bittersweet (Essence Group)
Sia – 1000 Forms of Fear (Inertia Recordings)
Best group
5 Seconds Of Summer – 5 Seconds Of Summer (EMI)
Hilltop Hoods – Walking Under Stars (Golden Era Records/Island Records Australia/Universal Music Australia)
RUFUS – Sundream (Sweat It Out/Sony Music Entertainment Australia)
Sheppard – Bombs Away (Empire of Song/Chugg Music)
Violent Soho – Saramona Said (I Oh You/Illusive/UMA)
Best hard rock/heavy metal album
DZ Deathrays – Black Rat (I Oh You/Illusive/UMA)
High Tension – Death Beat (Cooking Vinyl Australia)
Shihad – FVEY (Warner Music NZ)
Sleepmakeswaves – Love Of Cartography (Bird's Robe Records/MGM)
The Amity Affliction – Let the Ocean Take Me (Roadrunner Records Inc)
Best independent release
Chet Faker – Built On Glass (Future Classic)
Dan Sultan – Blackbird (Liberation Music)
Sheppard – Bombs Away (Empire of Song/Chugg Music/MGM Distribution)
Vance Joy – Mess Is Mine (Liberation Music)
Violent Soho – Saramona Said (I Oh You/Illusive/UMA)
Best male artist
Chet Faker – Built On Glass (Future Classic)
Dan Sultan – Blackbird (Liberation Music)
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu – Gurrumul and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra: His Life And Music (ABC Music/UMA)
Guy Sebastian – Come Home With Me (Sony Music Entertainment Australia)
Vance Joy – Mess Is Mine (Liberation Music)
Best pop release
5 Seconds Of Summer - 5 Seconds Of Summer (EMI)
Andy Bull – Sea Of Approval (Island Records Australia/Universal Music Australia)
Justice Crew – Que Sera (Sony Music Entertainment Australia)
Sheppard – Bombs Away (Empire of Song/Chugg Music/MGM Distribution)
Sia – 1000 Forms of Fear (Inertia Recordings)
Best rock album
Angus & Julia Stone – Angus & Julia Stone (EMI)
Ball Park Music – Puddinghead (Stop Start Music)
Dan Sultan – Blackbird (Liberation Music)
Jimmy Barnes – 30:30 Hindsight (Liberation Music)
Kingswood – Microscopic Wars (Dew Process)
Best urban album
360 – Utopia (Forthwrite/EMI)
Hilltop Hoods – Walking Under Stars (Golden Era Records/(Island Records Australia/Universal Music Australia)
Iggy Azalea – The New Classic (Virgin/Universal Music Australia)
Illy – Cinematic (Warner Music Australia)
Thundamentals –So We Can Remember (Obese Records)
Breakthrough artist
5 Seconds Of Summer – 5 Seconds Of Summer (Capitol/EMI)
Andy Bull – Sea Of Approval (Island Records Australia/Universal Music Australia)
Chet Faker – Built On Glass (Future Classic)
Iggy Azalea – The New Classic (Virgin/Universal Music Australia)
The Kite String Tangle – Vessel EP (Warner Music Australia)
Outstanding digital service
iTunes
JB Hi Fi Now
Spotify
Vevo
YouTube
Boy & Bear (Island Records Australia/Universal Music Australia)
Dan Sultan (Liberation Music)
John Butler Trio (Jarrah Records/MGM)
Keith Urban (EMI)
Melbourne SKA Orchestra (ABC Music/UMA)
RUFUS (Sony Music Entertainment Australia)
Tame Impala (Universal Music Australia)
The Preatures (Mercury Records Australia/Universal Music Australia)
The Presets (Modular/Universal)
Violent Soho (I Oh You/Illusive/UMA)
Avicii – True (PM:AM/Universal Music Australia)
Beyonce – Beyonce (Columbia)
Coldplay – Ghost Stories (Parlophone)
Ed Sheeran – X (Atlantic UK)
Eminem – The Marshall Mathers LP2 (Interscope Geffen/Universal Music Australia)
Jason Derulo – Tattoos (Warner Bros US)
Katy Perry – Prism (EMI)
Lorde – Pure Heroine (Universal Music NZ/Universal Music Australia)
One Direction – Midnight Memories (Syco Music)
Pharrell Williams – G I R L (Columbia)
Ben Young for John Butler Trio – Only One (Jarrah Records/MGM)
Charlie Ford for Courtney Barnett – Avant Gardener (Milk! Records/Inertia)
Dan Graetz for Violent Soho – Covered In Chrome (I Oh You/Illusive/UMA)
Sia Furler and Daniel Askill for Sia – Chandelier (Inertia Recordings)
Lawrence Lim for Jessica Mauboy – Never Be The Same (Sony Music Entertainment Australia)
Lawrence Lim for Justice Crew – Que Sera (Sony Music Entertainment Australia)
Renny Wijeyamohan for Busby Marou – My Second Mistake (Warner Music Australia)
Christian J Henrich & Nicholas Rabone for Bluejuice – SOS (Dew Process)
Toby & Pete for Chet Faker – Talk Is Cheap (Future Classic)
Toby Morris for Sheppard – Geronimo (Empire of Song/Chugg Music/MGM Distribution)
5 Seconds of Summer – She Looks So Perfect (EMI)
Guy Sebastian – Like A Drum (Sony Music Entertainment Australia)
Havana Brown – Warrior (Island Records Australia/Universal Music Australia)
Iggy Azalea feat. Charli XCX – Fancy (Virgin/Universal Music Australia)
Joel Fletcher feat. Savage – Swing (Hustle Recordings/Ministry of Sound)
Justice Crew – Que Sera (Sony Music Entertainment Australia)
Nathaniel – You (DNA Songs/Sony Music Entertainment Australia)
Sheppard – Geronimo (Empire of Song/Chugg Music/MGM Distribution)
Sia – Chandelier (Inertia Recordings)
Taylor Henderson – Borrow My Heart (Sony Music Entertainment Australia)
FINE ARTS AWARDS
Best classical album
WINNER: Lior / Sydney Symphony Orchestra / Westlake – Compassion
(ABC Classics/Universal Music Australia)
Australian World Orchestra / Zubin Mehta – Stravinsky Rite of Spring / Mahler Symphony No. 1 (ABC Classics/Universal Music Australia)
Emma Matthews / Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra / Marko Letonja – Mozart Arias (ABC Classics/UMA)
Joe Chindamo & Zoe Black – Dido's Lament (Mo'OzArt/The Planet Company)
Latitude 37 – Empires (ABC Classics/Universal Music Australia)
Andrew Macleod / Melbourne Symphony Orchestra / Benjamin Northey / Markus Stenz – Ades Polaris / Stanhope Piccolo Concerto (ABC Classics/Universal Music Australia)
Topology – Share House (Independent/MGM)
Best jazz album
WINNER: Paul Grabowsky Sextet – The Bitter Suite (ABC Jazz/UMA)
Andrea Keller Quartet with Strings – Wave Rider (Jazzhead/MGM)
Emma Pask – Season Of My Heart (Mercury Records Australia/Universal Music Australia)
Graeme Lyall, John Hoffman, Tony Gould, Ben Robertson, Tony Floyd – The Hunters & Pointers (Which Way Music/Fuse Group)
Vince Jones – The Monash Sessions (Jazzhead/MGM)
Best original soundtrack/cast/show album
WINNER: Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu / Sydney Symphony Orchestra – Gurrumul: His Life And Music (ABC Music/UMA)
Glenn Shorrock & Brian Cadd – The Story of Sharky and The Caddman (FANFARE CLASSIC/EMI)
Katie Noonan – Fierce Hearts (Kin Music/Universal Music Australia)
Various Artists – Triple J's One Night Stand (ABC Music/UMA)
Various Artists – Spirit Of Akasha (Warner Music Australia)
Best world music album
WINNER: Joseph Tawadros – Permission to Evaporate (ABC Music/UMA)
Astronomy Class – Mekong Delta Sunrise (Elefant Traks/Inertia Music)
Jane Rutter – Flute Spirit: Dreams and Improvisations (ABC Classics/UMA)
The Barons of Tang – Into The Mouths of Hungry Giants (Bird's Robe Records/MGM)
William Barton – Birdsong at Dusk (ABC Classics/UMA)
ARTISAN AWARDS
Engineer of the year
WINNER: Eric J Dubowsky for Chet Faker – Built On Glass (Future Classic)
Dustin Tebbutt for Dustin Tebbutt – Bones EP (Eleven: a music company Pty Ltd/UMA)
Paul McKercher for Andy Bull – Sea Of Approval (Island Records Australia/Universal Music Australia)
Matthew Lambert and Barry Francis for Hilltop Hoods – Walking Under Stars (Golden Era Records/Island Records Australia/Universal Music Australia)
Nicholas Wilson and Dann Hume for Sticky Fingers – Land Of Pleasure (Sureshaker/MGM)
Virginia Read for Simon Tedeschi, James Morrison, Sarah McKenzie – Gershwin: Take Two (ABC Jazz/UMA)
Producer of the year
WINNER: Nicholas Murphy for Chet Faker – Built On Glass (Future Classic)
Alex JL Hiew and SLUMS for Troye Sivan – TRXYE (EMI)
Dann Hume for Sticky Fingers – Land Of Pleasure (Sureshaker/MGM)
John Castle and Josh Pyke for Josh Pyke – The Beginning and the End of Everything (Ivy League Records)
Stuart Stuart for Sheppard – Bombs Away (Empire of Song/Chugg Music/MGM Distribution)
Best cover art
WINNER: Tin & Ed for Chet Faker – Built On Glass (Future Classic)
Angus & Julia Stone for Angus & Julia Stone – Angus & Julia Stone (EMI)
Celeste Potter for DZ Deathrays – Black Rat (I Oh You/Illusive/UMA)
Sia for Sia – 1000 Forms of Fear (Inertia Recordings)
The Leonard Brothers for 360 – Utopia (Forthwrite/EMI)
The 2024 ARIA Awards will be presented on November 20.
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