2013 has been an incredible year of music for Australian bands and artists across all genres. Seeking to acknowledge the best Australian album of the year, and past winners including Gotye (for Making Mirrors in 2011), The Presets (Apocalypto, 2008) and Wolfmother (self-titled, 2005), Triple J’s J Awards have become quite significant and a respected event since its debut eight years ago.
This year’s nominees cover a large chunk of the music spectrum, and include some of the year’s most exciting releases.
Electronic wonderboy Harley Streten (who many know as Flume) makes an appearance, with his chart-topping self-titled debut. At only 22, Streten’s LP went platinum and has earnt him eight nominations in this year’s ARIA Awards, including Album of the Year, Best Male Artist and Best Breakthrough Artist.
Jagwar Ma, a band who rocked the stage at this year’s Glastonbury Festival, earn themselves a nomination for their Tame Impala-esque album Howlin’.
Melbourne act The Drones are recognised for their acclaimed album I See Seaweed – an exciting, melancholy display of chilling garage rock.
Perth act Karnivool (fronted by Birds of Tokyo’s Ian Kenny) and Sydney’s Northlane scoop up nominations for their works Asymmetry and Singularity – some of the heavier albums up for the gong this year. Singularity saw Northlane top the Australian iTunes chart in the album’s first week of release, and debuted at #3 on the ARIA charts.
The J Awards also acknowledge some of Australia’s unsigned acts, with the J Unearthed Award given to up-and-coming Australian musicians.
Nominations for the third category, best music video, are yet to be announced, but are expected in the upcoming weeks before the winners are announced on November 22nd.
2013 J AWARDS ALBUM OF THE YEAR NOMINEES
Flume – Flume
Boy & Bear – Harlequin Dream
The Drones – I See Seaweed
Karnivool – Asymmetry
Horrorshow – King Amongst Many
Northlane – Singularity
Big Scary – Not Art
Jagwar Ma – Howlin’
Cloud Control – Dream Cave
Abbe May – Kiss My Apocalypse
RÜFÜS – Atlas
2013 UNEARTHED J AWARDS NOMINEES
Tigertown
Jeremy Neale
Safia
Wave Racer
Dustin Tebutt
Jackie Onassis
Remi
