triple j, Double J and triple j Unearthed celebrated at Oxford Art Factory in Sydney this afternoon, honouring the very best Australia talent at the 11th J Awards.
From forging the most exciting new sounds, creating innovative visual representations and accomplishing career highlights, here are the winners of the 2015 J Awards.
Australian Album of the Year
Courtney Barnett Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit
Joining the likes of Tame Impala (2010 + 2012), Gotye (2011), Flume (2013) and Chet Faker (2014), Courtney Barnett takes home the 2015 J Award for Australian Album of the Year for Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit.
Her debut album gives us 11 more reasons that the global hype surrounding Courtney Barnett is totally justified.
Richard Kingsmill says of the album:
“The thing that has always impressed us about Courtney, ever since we first started playing ‘Lance Jr’ back in 2012, was her distinctiveness. The unapologetic Australian accent was part of it, but her songwriting has always been outstanding.
She writes with a mix of insightful observation, stream of consciousness, humour and lots of clever word play. We think this album is special stuff and the way it’s resonated around the world this year has been fantastic for both Courtney and Australian music in general.”
Speaking to Veronica & Lewis on triple j, Courtney Barnett said: “I’m very excited and honoured to win this award. It’s amazing. It’s a nice feeling for something that you’re not really sure when you write, I guess, how far it’s going to reach and who is going to find it interesting.”
Unearthed Artist of the Year
Tired Lion
Tired Lion have had a hell of a year. The four piece have toured the country twice, including opening up Splendour In The Grass, released their second EP, I Don’t Think You Like Me, and absolutely owned a Violent Soho / Smashing Pumpkins mash-up for Like A Version.
Double J Australian Artist of the Year
Tim Rogers
You Am I frontman and Australian music giant Tim Rogers has had a huge year – exploring his soul side with The Bamboos and bringing his first solo record to life on the theatrical stage, all while working on You Am I’s 10th album. After 20 years fronting one of Australia’s most prolific bands, Tim Rogers continues to impress in 2015 with one of his most eclectic and interesting years yet.
Australian Music Video of the Year
Life Is Better Blonde ‘Mine’
A playful tribute to director Natalie James’ childhood in Japan and the bastardised American culture that’s popular over there, the video highlights the contrast between the compactness of everything in Japan and the bigger-is-better mentality in America. The beautiful yet subtle visual concepts compliment the emotive music of Life Is Better Blonde so perfectly that it scored the 2015 J Award for Australian Music Video of the Year.