triple j, Double J and triple j Unearthed celebrated the 10th J Awards with a massive party at Howler in Melbourne, honouring the very best talent Australia has to offer.
radioinfo’s Jessica Pantou was there.
From forging the most exciting new sounds, creating innovative visual representations and accomplishing career highlights, here are the winners of the 2014 J Awards…
Australian Album of the Year – Chet Faker Built On Glass
Joining the likes of Tame Impala (2010 + 2012), Gotye (2011) and Flume (2013), Chet Faker takes home the 2014 J Award for Australian Album of the Year for his beautiful record Built On Glass. The strengths of Chet Faker’s debut album are many. The first thing that is so striking is that voice. Possessing a great range, Faker is as natural a singer as you’re likely to hear. The fact he’s also written and produced the entire album himself shows just how much of his own vision went into this stunning creation.
Richard Kingsmill says of the album: “Faker steers a course through each track that manages to keep to the left, avoiding any bland clichés. It’s an album rich in emotion and textures, with the sounds and arrangements keeping the songs pure and uncluttered. Built On Glass will stand the test of time simply because the songs are so good too.”
Accepting the award via video message, Chet Faker said ‘Thank you so much for the J Award for Album of the Year. I still remember a few years ago first hearing my song on triple j and freaking out then, so it’s a great honour. Thanks for the love and support back home from the best radio station in Australia.’
Unearthed Artist of the Year – Meg Mac
24-year-old soul-pop chanteuse Meg Mac first caught our attention with her punchy and empowering tune ‘Known Better’. Since then her dramatic vocals and her knack for delivering powerhouse pop ensured her recent singles ‘Every Lie’ and ‘Roll Up Your Sleeves’ quickly found a home in high rotation. Her captivating debut EP MEGMAC is raw and personal, filled with that trademark soaring voice. With the Unearthed Artist of the Year previously being awarded to now-established artists Boy & Bear (2010), Ball Park Music (2011), The Rubens (2012) and Remi (2013), we are excited to see what Meg Mac has in store for us next.
Double J Australian Artist of the Year – Mia Dyson
After spending a decade honing her skills as a musician and songwriter, Mia Dyson gave us Idyllwild, her most accomplished record to date. The album is 11 tracks of authentic, roots-rock brilliance and its songs traverse many different genres, emotions and subjects. Mia backs this up with energetic live shows that have proven her to be one of Australia’s best live performers. 2014 has truly cemented Mia’s position as one of the country’s finest musicians and the deserving winner of the inaugural Double J Australian Artist of the Year award.
Australian Music Video of the Year – Sia ‘Chandelier’
Notoriously media-shy, Sia faced a unique dilemma in the making of the Chandelier video: how to star in it without compromising her privacy. The solution? Have 11 year old Maddie Ziegler wear a platinum wig, leap and crawl through an abandoned office space, as a camera tracks her from room to room. Co-directed by Daniel Askill, it’s a hypnotic performance that bursts with raw attitude and emotion and has been viewed nearly 300 million times. It leaves an indelible mark on 2014 and has earned the Australian Music Video of the Year award, co-presented with our friends at rage.
Full finalist list below.
AUSTRALIAN ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Winner:
Chet Faker Built On Glass
Nominees:
#1 Dads About Face
Ball Park Music Puddinghead
Flight Facilities Down To Earth
Hilltop Hoods Walking Under Stars
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard I’m In Your Mind Fuzz
Remi Raw X Infinity
Seekae The Worry
Sleepmakeswaves Love Of Cartography
The Preatures Blue Planet Eyes
Thundamentals So We Can Remember
Total Control Typical System
UNEARTHED ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Winner:
Meg Mac
Nominees:
Airling
Ceres
Coin Banks
Japanese Wallpaper
UV boi
DOUBLE J AUSTRALIAN ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Winner:
Mia Dyson
Nominees:
Augie March
Blank Realm
Caitlin Park
Kate Miller Heidke
Steve Smyth
AUSTRALIAN MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Winner:
Sia Chandelier – Directed by Sia Furler and Daniel Askill
Nominees:
Chet Faker Talk is Cheap – Directed by Toby & Pete
Client Liaison Free of Fear – Directed by Jack Peddey
Hudson and Troop Frameless – Directed by Darcy Prendergast and Andrew Goldsmith
Illy One for the City – Directed by Mark Alston
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Hot Wax – Directed by Jason Galea