2 a's in aarght

I always thought Dan Kelly and Dan Sultan were the same person.

Thought Eddy Current were releasing themselves these days, not Aarght!?

Dan Luscombe and Dan Kelly are the same person, but both are definitely not Chris Cheney.

Thought Eddy Current were releasing themselves these days, not Aarght!?

it's copied directly from the awards release, but I believe you're right.

I hope Rowland gets it. I really, really do.

The Jagermeister Independent Music Awards. Hilarious.

there's a little debate going on about this at twitter. you can join in here:

Mess+Noise: Rowland S Howard nominated for an Independent Music Award Ps. Why the hell does NOVA have its own category?

@messandnoise - is it a bad thing to encourage commercial radio to play Independent Australian music?

@ausindies will this encourage them? or just tell the masses they're supportive of local indie music when they're not?

@messandnoise the proper question is ''how much did NOVA FM pay to sponsor the award and how do they think it will bolster their brand?'' (AdamChristou)

oops... join in here

Nah...carn't be fucked. Just give it to Rowland and be done with it.

i think its great they managed to screw the money out of a radio station that apparently has no interest in what they are doing. genius.

its already called the 'jagermeister' awards, so their stance on commercial involvement is pretty clear.

I hope Eddy Current Suppression Ring Wins!

Why did all those shitty bands get nominated for Best Independent Hard Rock Or Punk Album?

Why no UV Race or Zond or Dead Farmers???

Does anyone still give a shit about prizes like this?

Does anyone still give a shit about prizes like this?

I'm sure the recipients do

Do they get money?

It just weird to see ECSR keep getting nominated for music awards and no other 'good' bands get a look-in.

Whats the deal?

no, just Jager bombs

What a load of crap.

How are The Temper Trap considered 'independent'?

They're signed to Liberation, which is distributed through Universal. And they're on a major in the UK.

The whole 'independent' classification is rubbish. There's artists on that list who make very commercial, mainstream music suitable for NOVA. There's artists on that list who are 'indie' in Australia (because the radio is already playing them so they don't need a major push), but are signed to Sony or EMI or Warner overseas. So why are they applauded for being 'independent'?

stop giving a fuck about shitty awards like this.

Otouto FTW

Sick of 'independent' labels funded by majors and millionaires. Real independent music FTW.

''My memory is hung like a turtle.''

Too little, too late, really. But a nice gesture, if it happens.

2c, please

I used to really like these awards, being different from the ARIAS because real songwriters and musicians are nominated and that it's kinda mainstream ... BUT, there's no way this is ''independent'' now with all that commercial interest...

Jager + NOVA FFS!

Just went to the NOVA website to check out what they were saying about the nominations and was bombarded with images of ''Miss University TOP 3 Facebook photos!'', ''Behind the scenes of Katy Perry's Aussie adventure'' and ''Who is the better dancer: the dancing dog or Demi Moore''

...

Apparently Katy Perry did one of those nipple slips and showed a bit of areola.

Apparently Katy Perry did one of those nipple slips

she put it out on cassette, so it counts as a independent release?

Hi, I work at AIR

These awards used to be called the AIR Awards. AIR is the Australian Independent Record Labels Association.

The association exists in order to improve business conditions for independent record labels and independent self released artists. In the past year AIR has dealt with the ACCC, negotiated collective licenses with MTV (they never used to pay indies any money, they are now forced to), played a major role in MERLIN getting a license deal with MySpace for indy labels and artists, fought for Australian content quotas in commercial radio and held workshops for indy artists in every state.

All of these things cost money for AIR and none of it creates income.

Also, like most things in independent music, AIR doesn't get government funding.

So, how do you fund an organisation (however small it may be) that is trying to make life better for indies?

We don't have a choice. We seek corporate sponsorship of our awards and independent charts. If Jagermeister were not a sponsor of our Independent Music Awards, then we couldn't exist. It's commercial reality and we're extremely grateful for their long-running support.

Without AIR there'd be no-one trying to hold ARIA and the PPCA accountable (there is a major label veto on all decisions made by those bodies ''on behalf of the industry'') and no-one to try and help independent music where possible.

We also did a study earlier this year regarding commercial radio. Nova is the ONLY network that always exceeds its Australian content obligations. They are streets ahead of the rest. If more independent music gets played on a commercial network this is a good thing.

If you want to remain underground or stay away from the commercial limelight, then that is a choice for you that we respect and also encourage. But if you want to get some mainstream recognition and we can help facilitate that, then we will.

I bet Nick Cave will find a way to steal this award.

JUST GIVE HIM THE FUCKING AWARD ALREADY

Rowland getting nominated for this at this stage of career reminds me of when the Saints were given their first Australian music award in 2001. Ivor Hay said something to effect of''Yeah, great, maybe if someone in the Australian music industry had given a shit twenty-five years ago we wouldn't have left the country to become a success.''

i'm announcing a new award scheme (sponsored by those willing to chuck in $5) - let's call it Australia's Really Independent Awards. ARIA prize winners get instant street cred. let's make it happen people!

Where's my $5 go?

the ideas man's pocket

just support independent music without question noneabove!

British India's gear blew up after one song, so the audience was the real winner.