Their debut album, Walking On A Dream, landed on critics ‘best of’ lists across the globe since its release back in October 2008. Now the dream-pop of Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore – aka Empire Of The Sun – is sweeping awards here at home, with the “We Are The People” pair winning three trophies yesterday as the 2009 ARIA Artisan and Fine Arts Awards were handed out in Sydney. 

Walking On A Dream was awarded: Best Cover Art (Aaron Hayward and David Homer, Debaser), Best Video (Josh Logue for Mathematics), and Producer of the Year (Empire Of The Sun and Donnie Sloan with Peter Mayes).

Two artists meanwhile, shared the honour of Engineer of the Year: DJ Debris for the Hilltop Hoods’ State Of The Art, and Greg Wales, for You Am I’s Dilettantes.

Also handed out during the ceremony were the 2009 ARIA Fine Arts Awards. Former george singer Katie Noonan landed the trophy for Best Jazz Album (for her covers record, Blackbird), while Best World Music Album went to Seaman Dan for Sailing Home. Best Original Soundtrack/Cast/Show Album was awarded to the soundtrack of “Balibo”, while finally Best Classical Album was given to the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra/Paul Dyer for Handel: Concerti Grossi Opus 6.

The main ARIA Awards will be handed out on Thursday 26 November at Acer Arena in Sydney, NSW.