Some of Australia’s best independent artists are up for trophies in the upcoming annual Jagermeister AIR Awards. AIR – the Australian Independent Record Labels Association – monitor, assist and celebrate local artists who release their music via themselves or independent labels, eschewing the big bucks of the majors.

Hosted by The Chaser’s Julian Morrow, the award ceremony will be presented at the Forum Theatre, Melbourne, VIC on Sunday 22 November. A few of the categories up for grabs include:



Jagermeister Best Independent Album Of The Year: Bertie Blackman – Secrets And Lies; C.W. Stoneking – Jungle Blues; Dappled Cities – Zounds; Decoder Ring – They Blind The Stars, And The Wild Team; The Drones – Havilah.



Independent Artist Of The Year: Bertie Blackman; C.W. Stoneking; Dappled Cities; Sia; The Drones



Breakthrough Independent Artist Of The Year: Art Vs. Science; Bertie Blackman; John Steel Singers; Oh Mercy; Sia



Best Independent Single or EP: Architecture In Helsinki – “That Beep”; Art Vs. Science – Art Vs. Science (EP); Bertie Blackman – “Heart”; Philadelphia Grand Jury – “Going To The Casino”; SIA – “Buttons”



Best Independent Country Album: Adam Brand – Hell of A Ride; Amber Lawrence – The Mile; James Blundell – Portrait Of A Man; Kirsty Lee Akers – Better Days; Tania Kernaghan – Livin’ The Dream



Best Independent Blues And Roots Album: C.W. Stoneking – Jungle Blues; Ash Grunwald – Fish Out Of Water; The Waifs – Live From The Union Of Soul; Bonjah – Until Dawn; Carus Thompson – Creature Of Habit



Best Independent Hard Rock Or Punk Album: Closure In Moscow – First Temple; I Killed The Prom Queen – Sleepless Nights & City Lights; Mammal – The Majority; The Amity Affliction – Severed Ties; The Nation Blue – Rising Waters



Best Independent Hip Hop/Urban Album: Astronomy Class – Pursuit Of Happiness; Funkoars – The Hangover; Gully Platoon – The Great Divide; Hermitude – Threads; Pez – A Mind Of My Own