Independent Music Charts

September 2, 2010: Liberation Music are producing and releasing a deluxe packaged vinyl 7” single for the late Rowland S. Howard's ‘The Golden Age Of Bloodshed’. Howard's final album, Pop Crimes, was yesterday nominated for the Best Independent Album award ahead of the 2010 Jagermeister Independent Music Awards at The Forum in Melbourne on October 1. The single's b-side is a previously unreleased instrumental entitled ‘Lost In Space’. 

Howard's bandmates,  Mick Harvey, J.P. Shilo & Lindsay Gravina, had this to say about the track: "‘Lost In Space’ was a piece composed by Rowland for the Pop Crimes album which remained unfinished.  It was mixed after his passing and is presented here respectfully as an interpretation of his original intent."

There will only be 500 individually numbered copies of ‘The Golden Age Of Bloodshed’ available worldwide. The 7" will be released through Liberation Music in Australia and in stores from Friday October 29th. Interested buyers should make sure they pre-order from their music retailer. 

The Richard Lowenstein-directed video for ‘The Golden Age Of Bloodshed’ is embedded below, and can be viewed on Liberation's YouTube channel.

‘The Golden Age Of Bloodshed’ is also available on Rowland’s Pop Crimes album, which is nominated for the 2010 Jagermeister Independent Music Awards as Best Independent Album. Lauded as one of 2009 Australian releases of the year, the album is earning due respect with a local release in the UK and Europeon English indie label, Infectious.   

“Wringing his guitar neck for all that it's worth, this could easily be the sound of some kind of infernal film noir as the echoes and bends cast long shadows among the trails of curling cigarette smoke caught in the dim afterhours lighting.” The Quietus.com, UK 

“8.5 / 10 Thankfully we’ll always have Pop Crimes, a brooding piece that sees the post-punk firebrand playing the existential cowboy as beautifully as ever.” NME, UK 

“4.5 / 5 Howard’s vocals speak of a life lived close to the edge and his garrulous, almost weary delivery is haunting.  But it is his evocative, inventive and constantly surprising guitar playing that leaves the greatest impact.” The Irish Independent

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We're rather excited (read pretty f*ckin pumped!) to be announcing  nominees for the Jagermeister Independent Music Awards!

Big winners were Dan Sultan and Cloud Control, each with 3 nominations. The Jezabels and Eddy Current Suppression Ring also each picked up 2 nominations.

AND THE NOMINEES ARE...

 

BEST INDEPENDENT ARTIST

British India (Independent/Shock)
Cloud Control (Ivy League)
Dan Kelly (Independent/Shock)
Dan Sultan (Independent/MGM)
Eddy Current Suppression Ring (Aaarght!)
Sia (Independent/Inertia)

 

BREAKTHROUGH INDEPENDENT ARTIST

Bridezilla (Inertia Recordings)
Cloud Control  (Ivy League)
Otouto (Two Bright Lakes/Inertia)
Philadelphia Grand Jury (Boomtown Records/Shock)
Richard In Your Mind (Rice Is Nice/Other Tongues)
The Jezabels (Independent/MGM)

 

BEST INDEPENDENT ALBUM

Cloud Control – Bliss Release (Ivy League)
Dan Kelly – Dan Kelly’s Dream (Independent/Shock)
Dan Sultan – Get Out While You Can (Independent/MGM)
Eddy Current Suppression Ring – Rush To Relax (Aaarght! /Shock)
Rowland S Howard – Pop Crimes (Liberation)
Sia – We Are Born (Independent/Inertia)

 

BEST INDEPENDENT SINGLE OR EP

Bliss N Eso – Down By The River  (Illusive)
Little Red - Rock It (Liberation)
Philadelphia Grand Jury – The Good News (Boomtown/Shock)
Sia – Clap Your Hands (Independent/Inertia)
The Jezabels – She’s So Hard (Independent/MGM)
The Temper Trap – Love Lost (Liberation)

 

BEST INDEPENDENT BLUES AND ROOTS ALBUM

Ash Grunwald – Hot Mama Vibes (Delta Groove/Shock)
Dan Sultan – Get Out While You Can  (Independent/MGM)
Jeff Lang  - Chimeradour (ABC Records)
Mama Kin -Beat and Holler (Independent/MGM)
The Beautiful Girls – Spooks (Independent/MGM)
The Red Eyes – Red Army (Independent/MGM)

 

BEST INDEPENDENT HARD ROCK OR PUNK ALBUM

50 Lions – Where Life Expires (Resist/Shock)
Calling All Cars – Hold, Hold, Fire (Independent/Shock)
House Vs. Hurricane – Perspectives (Independent/Shock)
Parkway Drive  - Deep Blue (Resist/Shock)
The Amity Affliction – Youngbloods (Boomtown/Shock)

 

BEST INDEPENDENT COUNTRY ALBUM

Amber Lawrence – When It All Comes Down
Deborah Conway – Half Man, Half Woman (Independent/MGM)
Kasey Chambers, Poppa Bill and The Little Hillbillies – Lost Music Blues (Liberation)
The Dingoes – Tracks (Liberation)
The Sunny Cowgirls – Summer (Compass Brothers/Shock)

 

BEST INDEPENDENT HIP HOP/URBAN ALBUM

Horrorshow – Inside Story (Elefant Traks/Inertia)
Lowrider – Round The World (Illusive)
M-Phazes – Good Gracious (Obese Records)
Ozi Batla – Wild Colonial (Elefant Traks/Inertia)
Urthboy – Spitshine (Elefant Traks/Inertia)

 

BEST INDEPENDENT DANCE / ELECTRONICA ALBUM

Faux Pas - Noiseworks (Sensory Projects/Inertia)
Jamie Lloyd - Beware Of The Light (Future Classic)
Midnight Juggernauts - The Crystal Axis (Siberia/Inertia)
Nick Thayer - Just Let It Go (Independent)
Opiuo - Slurp And Giggle (Addictech)
Space Invades - Soul:Fi (Invada Records)

 

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Sexy, souped up dub/trip hop featuring the gorgeous voice of Catie B and the super laidback (absolutely f*cking cool) production of James Mangohig (TZU). Matched with a stunning clip. Top notch independent music. No doubt.

Darwin is a beautiful and fascinating place, an army town with a thriving arts community, a passionate metal scene, the ridiculous NT News Headlines (Man Attacked by Suckerfish!!!) abundant natural beauty, crocodiles, stingers, insufferable hot weather and a ski club. Almost paradise. The pace of life is slow compared to what we're used to in the eastern states but I suppose that's what makes it attractive for the artists. The contradictions and way of live make Darwin an inspiring place to be creative.

Sietta are one of several acts that divide their time between Melbourne and Darwin. The pace of life and the gorgeous hot dry season mean that writing music is a pleasure. But come time for the build-up and wet season, it's time to head south for the summer to a larger and more vibrant music scene, time for bizness.

Check it - http://www.myspace.com/siettamusic

 

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Proudly presented by Channel [V], NOVA, and MySpace, the fifth Annual JAGERMEISTER INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS (formally known as the Jagermeister AIR Awards) will be held on Friday October 1st at The Forum Theatre in Melbourne.

The event is a rare opportunity to join great Australian Musicians and the Industry at large, as they celebrate success with the Award winners, and enjoy performances by some of the country’s mos sought after artists.

The JAGERMEISTER INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS are Australia’s only official independent music awards, rewarding the country’s highest achieving independent artists across all genres, in any given year.

The evening will feature performances from those purveyors of punk, hardcore rockers AMITY AFFLICTION; new indie darlings and vintage-alt-pop stars CLOUD CONTROL; virtuosic jazz pianist JOE CHINDAMO; indie wunderkids and brit-rock exponents BRITISH INDIA; the intoxicating world-renowned singer-songwriter SALLY SELTMANN; and a hip-hop extravaganza from M-PHAZES WITH ILLY, MUPH & CANDICE MONIQUE, SOLO AND MANTRA which promises some electric on-stage collaborations.

Awards to be presented during the evening include Best Independent Dance / Electronic Release, Best Independent Artist, Best Independent Hip Hop/Urban Release and Best Independent Hard Rock/Punk Release among others, with a number of high profile special guest presenters on hand to help with proceedings.

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3 or 4 years ago, Little Red started out in Ivanhoe, Melbourne playing what they beautifully termed  "ecstatic music for troubled times". Talk of their high energy and oh-so-cute live show spread annd soon word of mouth saw them pack 400 people into the tote for every week of a two month midweek residency at the legendary Tote. It was enough for the often scathing local critic Clem Bastow to pronounce them ‘pretty much the best band in Melbourne at the moment.’

Within months they self released a tinny, garage pop album, full of doo-wop harmonies and twee romanticism called Listen To Little Red. Personally I thought it was kinda corny but it was promptly featured on Triple J, recieved universal acclaim and high profile support and festival gigs. What would I know anyway!?

Now, they've grown up a little, the band have enjoyed a phalanxe of side-projects and returned a little slicker, a little sexier and if the first single is an indication, the best damn pop-smarts in this country.

Ladies and Gentleman, its time so say hello to Australia's newest crossover indie superstars, Little Red are going to be huge.

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Australia's noisiest, most combative and politically active band have just released their first album in almost 4 years, and it's a departure. A powerhouse recording of deep dub and roots, recorded across the world with guest spots from some of the worlds most legendary reggae artists.

Blue King Brown are one of the hardest working bands we've ever had the pleasure to work with. I've had the pleasure of working along side the brainstrust of Natalie P'a'apa and Carlo Santone in a tiny office above a dilapidated pub on Brunswick St. Fitzroy. They took to all their projects with passion and fervour. They're vehemently independent and they have a vision that no one, absolutely no one will get in the way of... ever.

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For Australian Hardcore music, the past year has been incredible. Six weeks ago, the Amity Affliction's brilliant Young Bloods debuted at number two on the AIR charts and sixth on the ARIA Charts. It was the highest debut by a band of that genre in Australia's history.

That record lasted a week.

Parkway Drive's new album, Deep Blue debuted seven days later at Number two on the ARIA charts. Outselling mainstream favourites the Cat Empire and Miley Syrus who debuted on the same week. No mean feat.

In the past year we've also seen albums by 50 Lions, Extortion and House Vs Hurricane take out the Jagermeister IndependentMusic Charts mover of the week title after massive debut weeks.

The scene has been causing such a stir that Billboard USA ran a feature on Australian Hardcore, The Amity Affliction have just signed a prestigeous co-management deal with one of the genre's biggest companies in the USA and Parkway Drive's Deep Blue is reportedly Epitaph's (the worlds largest punk record label) chief release priority for all of 2010. Serious shit.

In ackowledging the success of the genre, AIR has taken the step of booking The Amity Affliction as the opening act of this years Jagermeister Independent Music Awards. It's a hell of a statement and we're incredibly excited to host them.

Meanwhile, watch the above Parkway Drive video at your own risk. Sleepwalkers is the lead track off the hotly anticipated follow-up to 2007’s AIR Award nominated Horizons, Deep Blue. It's brutal.

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Why does Music Matter?

AIR is an organisation that looks after the business interests of hundreds of independent record labels and tens of thousands of independent recording musicians in Australia.

Our members are the risk takers of the music industry. They’re the ones who think that releasing a minimalist 12 minute punk rock single on vinyl with a dance remix on the B-Side is a good idea. They’re the one’s that will find a way to release Black Metal from Tasmania, Drum & Bass from Perth, Indigenous Australian reggae from Tennant Creek, sugar sweet chamber pop from Sydney and post-hardcore from Brisbane to audiences that for some unfathomable reason adore it. We don’t hear them on commercial radio but they are at the heart of our musical niches and sub-cultures, but they are the boundary pushers and shape-shifters of Australia’s musical culture.

It’s AIR’s job to protect and nurture the growth and development of that culture in Australia and that’s why we care about piracy.

I often find myself talking to  fans of music as they try and justify their P2P filesharing habits. They know that music piracy is a bad thing but the victims of the crime are faceless, it’s an activity that can be done in the safety of your own home and in this country it’s more socially acceptable than smoking a cigarette!

“Anyway, it’s just a bunch of four greedy multi-nationals that “missed the boat” when the internet was invented isn’t it? Isn’t it?”

Well no. Over the past 5 years Australia has lost some of its stalwart niche record labels, legendary independent record stores in every city and one of our biggest independent distributors. All were highly profitable businesses in recent memory and all champions of lesser-heard music.

Indie people still have mortgages, rent and bills to pay, kids to feed and business to run. If the financial investment in music stops being returned then we have to shut up shop. People lose jobs and lives are thrown into disarray. When labels and creators have to find other means of making a living, then creativity dries up.

We're not naive enough to think that P2P sharing isn't without it's advantages. It's an amazingly effective distribution method. It's a way that thousands more people are going to hear your music. If you choose to distribute this music then all power to you, but the key word here is "choice". When people steal music online then they're depriving that artist of choice and control of their music.

In the end, for us, piracy is simple. If you've stolen a song then you're not prepared to pay the value of half a cup of coffee for it. You've put your own selfish interests in front of those of the musicians and indie labels that have had a hand in creating it. What you've decided is that your needs are more important than those of others. You ARE stealing and you are contributing to the demise of the perfomers that you love.

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Hip Hop music was conspicuously absent from the line-up of this year's Splendour In The Grass festival but I remember laying back on the expanse of the Woodfordia Ampitheatre as the sun was shining gloriously the 35,000 inhabitants of the festival when we got an uninvited visit from Australian Hip Hop's biggest act. Flying 3000 feet above us was a plane, dragging behind it a massive banner advertising the impending release of Bliss N Eso's new album Running On Air. It was awe inspiring in its audacity. Balls-out, old-school marketing done with a swagger worthy of a band that a week later would debut at number 1 in the ARIA charts. Just the second Australian Hip Hop group ever to do so.

I wondered at the time whether it was a little too brazen. Expensive marketing strategies like that with no guarantee of a tangible result frighten me. But that's why I'm not in an ARIA number 1 band.

Any Australian act that releases an album featuring members of WuTang, Jehst and Xzibit is intent on taking Australian Hip Hop to another level. Along with The Hilltop Hoods, these guys are taking a genre that was relatively marginalised in this country just 10 years ago, smack bang into the mainstream.

So now, with a groundbreaking number 1 ARIA chart debut, (outselling Eminem and Birds Of Tokyo), sold out shows at large halls in front of 3-4000 people in every city of Australia and aerial marketing campaigns they stand on top of Australia's music industry Bliss N Eso are this counties biggest independent act full stop. Amazing stuff.

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Their repertoire of house/rock/electro bangers that has seen them slay audiences Australia-wide. They are without doubt one of the country's biggest festival drawcards and they haven't even released an album yet...

Art Vs. Science have emerged and evolved into one of our greatest party bands. Their epic (but hardly subtle) debut single 'Flippers' hinted at them being a one trick pony but their live-show mastery of Hip Hop, Dance and Stadium cock-rock has shown that there's a versitility and self-assuredness behind their big, dumb choruses and gargantuan hooks. Forget EP's, we can't wait for the full-length album!

So, armed with a bunch of remixes, a new song and a string of festival dates it's about time for Art Vs. Science to yet again make an assault on our otherwise quiet and peaceful summer.

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