The official home of Australian Independent Music, a place for music industry professionals alike, featuring the cream of the crop of Australia’s diverse and thriving independent music sector.

Melbourne-based trio Midnight Juggernauts [pictured below] are nominated for Best Dance/Electronica Album at this year's Jagermeister Independent Music Awards, for their second album The Crystal Axis; the music video for their song 'Vital Signs' is embedded above.

Ahead of this year's awards night - more details on that at the bottom of this post - we briefly caught up with Midnight Juggernauts' drummer, Daniel Stricker.

What's your favourite musical moment of 2010 so far, Daniel?

We've played a lot of great shows so far this year, even playing in an old Serbian fortress which had 40,000 people coming in each day, which was pretty amazing. But I'd have to say playing in Turkey for the first time would be my highlight. I just kept thinking about 'The Chase' by Georgio Moroder while walking around the Grand Bazaar.

What's your favourite song of 2010 so far by an Australian artist?

'She' by Kirin J Callinan. It doesn't sound like anything else.

What does being independent mean to you?

It just means we can put out our music and whatever creative endeavours freely, without feeling pressure or having the need to change our vision. It's just something we've always done so it was natural for us to be and stay independent.

What's the biggest challenge you face as an independent musician?

Its hard as obviously we run our own label, so anything we do is self-funded and self-created. So I guess you spend a lot more time and money organising things - there's no big marketing budget coming from a big label. That said, I think that's the best way to promote anything - word of mouth and genuine interest in anything will always be better than shoving it down someone's throat.

Conversely, what's the best thing about being independent?

Just the creative freedom for whatever idea you have. Even if it ends up creating a little Stonehenge that comes down from the sky.

As a band, what would you ultimately like to be known and remembered for?

That we did our thing and never compromised.

Favourite music video of all time by an Australian artist?

The Easybeats - 'Friday On My Mind' [live footage embedded below]

Which Australian independent act deserves to be the 'next big thing'?

Kirin J Callinan. He's a star.

Finally, who do you think is going to win your category this year? 

Yolanda B Cool and D-Cup.

Thanks for your time, Daniel! For more info on Midnight Juggernauts, visit their MySpace.

The 5th Annual Jagermeister Independent Music Awards are held at The Forum Theatre, Melbourne on Friday October 1st, 2010, featuring live performances from British India, Cloud Control, The Amity Affliction, M-Phazes, Sally Seltmann and Joe Chindamo. Doors open at 8:00pm; tickets are $29+BF and available now via Ticketmaster.

For more info on AIR and Australian independent music, visit http://www.ausindies.com.au/