It’s that time of year when we look to our humble music industry to celebrate its best and brightest talents. The Australian Independent Record Labels Association has today revealed the nominees for the 2015 Carlton Dry Independent Music Awards.

Now in its 10th year, the Carlton Dry Independent Music Awards have once again recognised some of the Australian independent music scene’s best ambassadors from the last 12 months, spanning a range of genres including jazz, hip-hop, blues, and more.

Leading this year’s nominations are Sydney duo Hermitude, who previously won the 2012 Best Independent Dance/Electronica Album award for ‘Hyperparadise’. They’ve earned four noms, including for Best Independent Artist and Best Independent Single/EP for ‘The Buzz’.

Rounding out the nominations are previous winners Courtney Barnett (Best Independent Artist 2014) and Vance Joy (Breakthrough Independent Artist 2013 & Best Independent Single/EP 2013 for ‘God Loves You When You’re Dancing’), along with #1 Dads, who are all up for three awards.

Vying for the Breakthrough Independent Artist Of The Year Award are #1 Dads, Briggs, Client Liaison, Japanese Wallpaper, and Totally Mild. Numerous recent winners, including Sheppard, Vance Joy, and Chet Faker, have gone on to international success.

This year’s Carlton Dry Independent Music Awards Nominations will be presented on Thursday, 22nd October at Meat Market in North Melbourne. As always, there’ll be a great lineup of performers on the night, who will be announced shortly.

2015 Carlton Dry Independent Music Award Nominees

Best Independent Artist – Presented By Carlton Dry

#1 Dads
Chet Faker
Courtney Barnett
Hermitude
Vance Joy

Best Independent Album

#1 Dads – About Face
Courtney Barnett – Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit
Flight Facilities – Down To Earth
Hermitude – Dark Night Sweet Light
Vance Joy – Dream Your Life Away

Best Independent Single Or EP – Presented By Rdio

Bad//Dreems – Cuffed & Collared
Courtney Barnett – Depreston
Courtney Barnett – Pedestrian At Best
Hermitude – The Buzz (Feat. Mataya & Young Tapz)
Vance Joy – Fire And The Flood

Breakthrough Independent Artist Of The Year – Presented By PPCA

#1 Dads
Briggs
Client Liaison
Japanese Wallpaper
Totally Mild

Best Independent Hip Hop Album

Baro – 17/18
Briggs – Sheplife
Citizen Kay – Demokracy
One Day – Mainline
Seth Sentry – Strange New Past

Best Independent Country Album

Amber Lawrence – Superheroes
Frank Yamma – Uncle
Jim Lawrie – Eons
Raised By Eagles – Diamonds In The Bloodstream
Troy Cassar-Daley – Freedom Ride

Best Independent Blues And Roots Album

C.W. Stoneking – Gon’ Boogaloo
Fraser A. Gorman – Slow Gum
Gurrumul – The Gospel Album
Marlon Williams – Marlon Williams
Paul Kelly Presents The Merri Soul Sessions – Paul Kelly Presents The Merri Soul Sessions

Best Independent Hard Rock, Heavy or Punk Album

British India – Nothing Touches Me
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – I’m In Your Mind Fuzz
Northlane – Node
The Peep Tempel – Tales
The Smith Street Band – Throw Me In The River

Best Independent Dance/Electronica Album

Collarbones – Return
Flight Facilities – Down To Earth
Hermitude – Dark Night Sweet Light
Seekae – The Worry
Ta-Ku – Songs To Make Up To

Best Independent Dance, Electronica Or Club Single

Collarbones – Turning
Generik – The Weekend (Feat. Nicky Van She)
Hayden James – Something About You
Nicky Night Time – Gonna Get Better (Feat. Nat Dunn)
Rüfüs – You Were Right

Best Independent Jazz Album

Allan Browne Quintet – Ithaca Bound
Barney Mcall – Mooroolbark
Gian Slater – Still Still
Mike Nock Octet – Suite Sima
Sarah Mckenzie – We Could Be Lovers

Best Independent Classical Album

Alicia Crossley – Alchemy
Amir Farid – Amir Farid Plays Javad Maroufi: Golden Dreams And Other Works
Amy Dickson / Sydney Symphony Orchestra – Island Songs
Australian Brandenburg Orchestra – Brandenburg Celebrates
Zubin Kanga – Piano Inside Out

Thursday, 22nd October 2015
Meat Market, Melbourne

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