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| Lanie Lane! |
AUSTRALIAN ARTIST OF THE YEAR NOMINEES:
Tame Impala
2012 Release: Lonerism
Admit it... when you hear a song from Lonerism you are overcome with a feeling to dust off your old tie-dye tees and hippie pants and party like it's 1969. While there are many Australian acts capturing the sounds of days gone by, Tame Impala's signature brand of psychedelia can be so authentic you actually have to remind yourself you're listening to an album released in 2012. With Tame Impala's debut, Innerspeaker, they commanded Australia's attention, winning the J Award for Album of the Year. With Lonerism, they've captured the attention of the world, walking away with the J Award once more, as well as top honours form NME and Filter Magazine. These crazy kids from Perth have done us proud. (Matt Bond)
Lanie Lane
2012 Release: (Oh Well) That's What You Get (Falling In Love With A Cowboy) - Single
A little bit country, a little bit rock, a little bit blues, a whole lot
of adorable; Lanie Lane has had an impressive year. Released late last
year, her album To The Horses really began to receive the attention it
deserves this year, she played her own national tour as well as numerous
festivals, was nominated for awards at both the ARIA’s and APRA’s and
now, her most impressive nomination for our Scene Awards. To The Horses
has been an album I’ve played time and time again this year, I get that
lyric “oh well, that’s what you get for falling in love with a cowboy”
stuck in my head all the time (even though that’s something I haven’t
done) she’s got a style that’s all her own and as well as all of that
she’s totally delightful and engaging at her gigs, which I’ve been lucky
to see a couple of times this year. She’s catchy, she’s cute and I’ve
got to adore someone who can write a ballad to their guitar. Oh, did I
mention she’s worked with Jack White? You know in my world that makes
everything a thousand times better, but ok, even without that, she’s
awesome anyway. Lanie Lane love.
(Jo Michelmore)
Gay Paris
2012 Release: The Demarcation of Joseph Hollybone - Single
Gay Paris get my vote for Australian artist of the year for three important reasons:
1. Making music to thrust to. Seriously. You just can’t help but move your hips.
2.
Front man Luke’s skill of being able to de-pant without removing his
shoes. This is even more impressive when you consider that these pants
are skinny leg jeans.
3. Amazing live shows. Have you seen them
live? If not, there’s your New Year’s resolution! Be prepared for crowd
interaction and capes. (Katie Langley)
Sarah Blasko
2012 Release: I Awake
Representing Seeker Lover Keeper as defending champion in this category, Sarah Blasko earned her nomination with an album that is certain to define the career of Australia's most fascinating female artist. The funny thing is, the same was said about her second release, What the Sea Wants, the Sea Will Have. And third albums As Day Follows Night. Blasko sets the bar higher with each release and then smashes through your expectations with a collection of songs even better than the last. Album number four, I Awake, takes you on an unforgettable journey that speaks to your heart, mind and soul. It has moments that will kick you down and moments that will lift you right back up. It can be just as mysterious as it is dangerously honest, telling an unfamiliar story one second and then your own the next. Her brilliant and mature songwriting is matched in the sounds created by Bulgaria's New Symphony Orchestra; a move that you can't help but applaud. Not once does Blasko seem lost alongside the 52 piece orchestra, with her words and sweet voice somehow finding even greater resonance amongst the beautiful strings and thundering percussion. I'm not sure how she's going to top I Awake, but I know she will. I can't wait to hear what comes next. (Matt Bond)
Texas Tea
2012 Release: Sad Summer Hits
If I was to write a list of all the things I’d loved about 2012, there
would be a whole lot of loving for this little band I’m so glad to have
found this year. Calling them indie/country just doesn’t seem to do them
justice, because there should be other words added with that label;
words like ‘fabulous indie country’ or ‘amazing indie country’ or
‘heartbreaking indie country’ or ‘can’t get enough of them indie
country’. Their third album released this year, Sad Summer Hits, has
become part of my everyday existence, Heart Says Yes (Head Says No) is a
song that quickly made it to the top of my most played list, The
Alphabet Song is one I quickly learnt all the words to and I Don’t Write
No Sad Songs is indescribable, Kate and Ben’s vocals entwined around
each other’s is spine tingling and having seen them play live a couple
of times I’m desperately waiting to see that magic again and again.
There are some musicians that are made for each other and Kate Jacobson
and Ben Dougherty have this incredible ability to complement each
other’s talents perfectly, their impeccable song writing skills are a
testament to that. When I first heard Sad Summer Hits in October I said
that it would be an album that would define a season for me, and I was
right, it has. Two months on, I’m totally and wholeheartedly in love,
Texas Tea have become one of my favourite Australian artists and
hopefully one that the rest of the world will fall in love with soon
enough too. (Jo Michelmore)
Gotye
2012 Release: Making Mirrors (International Release)
The biggest song of the year in the United States, the most streamed song on Spotify in 2012, #1 on the JJJ Hottest 100, an ARIA Award win for Album of the Year (plus five more wins on the night), three Grammy nominations and over 358 million YouTube views for 'Somebody That I Used To Know.' You tell me... did Gotye have a good year? The other songs he released in 2012 may not have set the world on fire, but what he's achieved with 'Somebody That I Used To Know' in international markets is unimaginable for a local act. The best thing is, you feel that he's deserving of the overwhelming success that's come his way. (Matt Bond)
2012 AUSTRALIAN ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
WINNER: TEXAS TEA
Runner-Up: Sarah Blasko
2011 Winner:
Seeker Lover Keeper
Runner-Up: Gotye
2010 Winner:
Sia
