Taking home their first ARIA Award, local country trio and sisters the McClymonts – Brooke, Samantha and Mollie – saw their debut LP Wrapped Up Good take out the Best Country Album category. Released back in January 2010, the first longplayer from the Grafton, NSW, outfit was recorded in the world’s capital of country music (that’d be Nashville, Tennessee) and put together with producer Nathan Chapman, who’s helped steer Taylor Swift to global success.

With six ARIAs to their name so far, New Zealand-via-Australia legends Crowded House are no strangers to success. Their latest LP, Intriguer, took home the trophy for Best Adult Contemporary Album after debuting at number one of the Australian album charts upon its release, three years on from the band’s last record (2007’s Time On Earth). 

Paul Dyer and the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, meanwhile, celebrated a win with an ARIA in the field of Best Classical Release, for their 17th century inspired recording Tapas – the Taste of the Baroque.

Lastly, radio network triple j picked up a second ARIA this week with the announcement of comedy series “The Blow Parade” taking home the ARIA for Best Comedy Album. The brainchild of “The Chaser” writer/performers Andrew Hanson, Chris Taylor and triple j’s Craig Schuftan, “The Blow Parade” is a Spinal Tap-style fictional radio documentary about tragic English DJ called Captain Blow, and his journey through music history.

The final genre awards for Best Pop Release, Best Rock Album and Best Adult Alternative Album will be handed out this evening. The major ARIA Awards themselves are taking place on Sunday  7 November, with the final televised performance of Brisbane rockers Powderfinger and trophies handed out for big categories like Album of the Year. Tune in on Network Ten at 8.30pm.