News 13 October 2020

2020 ARIA Awards nominees announced

Lime Cordiale, Tame Impala and Sampa The Great lead the field.

2020 ARIA Awards nominees announced

Lime Cordiale leads the nominations, nominated for 8 ARIA Awards

Tame Impala nominated for 7 ARIA Awards

Sampa The Great scores 6 nominations

Fine Arts and Artisan Nominees announced

Telstra ARIA Music Teacher Of The Year nominees celebrated

The countdown to the 2020 ARIA Awards in partnership with YouTube Music is on, with just seven weeks to go. The ARIA Awards Season Launch saw the nominees in all categories revealed today via YouTube Premiere. This is the first time in ARIA Awards history that the Season Launch has gone online and can be viewed here. The winners will be announced on Wednesday, 25th November 2020, to be broadcast around Australia on the Nine Network, and around the world on YouTube.

It was an exciting day for one of Australia’s most promising bands, Lime Cordiale, the pop rock duo from Sydney, whose infectious performances and genuine interactions with their fans have landed them with eight ARIA Award nominations. As well as having their hit song 'Robbery' nominated for Song Of The Year presented by YouTube Music, the band have been nominated for Album of the YearBest Pop Release and Best Group, just to name a few. Their sophomore album 14 Steps to a Better You debuted #1 on the ARIA Charts. 172 million streams globally have led to 7 ARIA Gold accreditations, and four songs in triple j’s Hottest 100 of 2019. Moving with the times, Lime Cordiale announced and quickly sold out 27 COVID-safe sit-down concerts on their Speakeasy Tour.

Tame Impala, land second in the tally, with seven nominations. Multi-instrumentalist and producer Kevin Parker has been nominated for Album of the YearBest Pop ReleaseBest Rock Album and Best Group, as well as Engineer of the Year and Producer of the YearTame Impala’s fourth studio album, The Slow Rush, written, produced, performed and mixed by Kevin Parker, was released in February to worldwide acclaim, achieving his second #1 in Australia. It is the highest selling Australian album in 2020 to date, his highest charting album to date in both the US and UK achieved 14 x top 10 chart positions around the world and has achieved over 790 million streams globally. Lead track 'Borderline' is certified gold in both Australia and the US, and 'Lost In Yesterday' claimed the AAA #1 position at US radio. The album also landed an enviable three tracks in the triple j Hottest 100, with 'The Less I Know The Better' from Parker’s previous album Currents, taking out the #1 position on triple j's Hottest 100 of the Decade. Most recently, Currents achieved platinum status in Australia and RIAA-certified platinum in the USA, with more than 2.5 million copies sold worldwide.

With six nominations, is Zambian-born, Botswana-raised and now Melbourne-based Sampa The Great, whose debut album 'The Return' impressed critics all over the world, entered the ARIA Chart at number 12 and reached #1 on the ARIA Vinyl Chart. At last year's ARIA AwardsSampa became the first woman of colour to win an ARIA Award in the Best Hip Hop Release category for her stand-out track 'Final Form', with Sampa using her acceptance speech to speak about the importance of diversity and change within the Australian music industry. Taking out multiple J Awards and breaking industry records by winning the prestigious Australian Music Prize twice in her career, Sampa The Great continues to show why she is one of the strongest voices in hip-hop, with nominations for Album of the Year, Best Female Artist, Best Hip Hop Release, Best Australian Live Act, Best Independent Release and Best Video presented by YouTube Music.

Breakthrough Indigenous artist Miiesha, has landed five nominations including the prestigious Best Female ArtistBest Soul/R&B Release. Her fearless debut album Nyaaringu, was one of 2020’s most affecting and critically lauded albums. In a short space of time, she’s made an indelible impression and was awarded Best New Talent at the 2020 National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMA). Miiesha is joined by Sydney indie-rock stalwarts DMA’S who have also secured five nominations, including Best Group and Best Rock Album. Debuting at #2 on the ARIA Charts, THE GLOW is a collection of songs that ushers in the dawn a new era for DMA’S as they step centre stage on the global arena.

2016 ARIA Award winners, Violent Soho have scored 4 nominations for their ARIA #1 album Everything Is A-OK, including Best Rock Album and Best Video presented by YouTube Music. 2018 ARIA Awards Breakthrough Artist Award winner Ruel has also secured 4 nominations which include, Best Male Artist, and Song Of The Year Presented By YouTube Music.

Previous ARIA Award winners, Amy Shark, Archie Roach, Jessica Mauboy, The Teskey Brothers, Tones and I, Troye Sivan are joined by ARIA Hall Of Fame recipients Cold Chisel, as well as Breakthrough Artist Nominee The Kid LAROI and 2020 National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMA) winner of Artist Of The Year, Baker Boy, who all secured 3 nominations this year.

Denis Handlin AO, ARIA Chairman, said:

“On behalf of the ARIA Board, I would like to congratulate all the nominees announced today ahead of the 34th annual ARIA Awards. As is evident across all categories, Australia is home to some fantastic talent, with artists who have achieved success not only here but overseas as well. We are excited to host a unique ARIA Awards in just over a month’s time in what will be a very special show. After this challenging year, we are proud to present a moment of celebration of Australian music.”

Dan Rosen, CEO of ARIA, added:

“It’s been a year we will never forget. Our industry has taken a hit, but the creativity of our local artists has not. Our artists have shown great resilience and their music has helped many Australians get through these tough times.

I congratulate each of this year’s ARIA Nominees, who make up a remarkable list of Australian artists who have made a difference this year. I also want to congratulate all the Fine Arts and Artisan and nominees. The music industry is a team effort, and their role is vital in making our music industry robust.

I am looking forward to celebrating the Nominees and Australian music at the 2020 ARIA Awards, in partnership with YouTube Music, on November 25th at The Star, Sydney and around the country on the Nine Network.”

Mel Silva, VP & Managing Director of Google Australia and New Zealand, said:

“We’re just weeks away from Aussie music's night of nights and while it will be a little different this year, we're so thrilled to be working with ARIA again and to celebrate our amazing music industry. A huge congratulations to all the 2020 ARIA Awards nominees -- if you missed the Season Launch, you can catch-up on the ARIAs YouTube channel. And don't forget you can vote for Song of the Year and Best Video in Google Search!"

NSW Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said:

“NSW was the home of Australian Music Month courtesy of the ARIA Awards, and the new Government event Great Southern Nights.

“The NSW Government is proud to work side-by-side with industry to get artists, venues and roadies back to work, and acknowledge their individual and collective achievements. Live music and world-class events are intrinsic to the social and cultural fabric of NSW, so it is fitting to celebrate the country’s finest creative talents at the ARIA Awards in Sydney each November. Now, with Great Southern Nights on the calendar bringing 1000 COVID-safe gigs to NSW throughout November, there’ll be more outstanding Australian live music to be enjoyed across the State than ever before.”

The nominees for the Telstra ARIA Music Teacher Award, supported by The Song Room, were also announced today. Now in its fourth year, the award recognises music teachers for their passion and hard work in educating Australian children to play and love music.

The finalists announced are CJ Shaw from Palmerston District Primary School, Canberra; Kathryn McLennan from Virginia State School, Queensland; Sarah Donnelley from Wilcannia Central School, NSW; and Thomas Fienberg from Evans High School, NSW. ARIA congratulates the teachers and the schools for this wonderful achievement. ARIA extends its gratitude to this year's ambassadors, Christine Anu, Jimmy Barnes, The Veronicas and Brooke Boney for their involvement and support in announcing the 2020 Telstra ARIA Music Teacher nominations to the teachers.

To vote for your favourite ARIA Music teacher, visit aria.com.au/music-teacher

For the first time in almost a decade, the Fine Arts, which include Best Classical AlbumBest Jazz AlbumBest World Music Album and Best Original Soundtrack or Musical Theatre Cast Album and Artisan awards  which include Best ProducerBest Jazz Album and Best Cover Art – will be presented at the ARIA Awards ceremony.  

This year, the ARIA Awards for Best Video and Song of the Year will again be presented by YouTube Music. Aussies will have the chance to have their say about the winners directly in Google Search. Fans simply need to search ‘ARIA Vote’ and follow the prompts to make their selection for the ARIA Award for Best Video presented by YouTube Music. They will also be able to vote for Song Of The Year presented by YouTube Music nominees. Aussie music fans can vote once per day, per category, when signed into their Google account, up until 18th November

Also returning this year is the opportunity for music fans to decide an ARIA winner via Twitter for the Best International Artist category. Fans can start voting for their favourite International Artist today by heading to Twitter and using the following hashtags: #ARIAsDuaLipa #ARIAsEminem #ARIAsHalsey #ARIAsHarryStyles #ARIAsJuiceWRLD #ARIAsJustinBieber #ARIALewisCapaldi #ARIAsLizzo #ARIAsTaylorSwift #ARIAsTheWeeknd

ARIA would also like to take this opportunity to thank Nine Network’s Brooke Boney and ARIA Award winners, Tones And I, Dean Lewis and Guy Sebastian for their participation in the ARIA Awards Season Launch.   

2020 ARIA AWARD NOMINATED ARTISTS

Winners to be announced Wednesday, 25th November on the Nine Network

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

DMA's - THE GLOW (I OH YOU)

Jessica Mauboy - Hilda (Sony Music)

Lime Cordiale - 14 Steps To A Better You (Chugg Music Pty Ltd)

Sampa The Great - The Return (Ninja Tune / Inertia Music)

Tame Impala  - The Slow Rush (Modular Recordings/Island Records Australia/Universal Music Australia)

BEST MALE ARTIST

Archie Roach - Tell Me Why (Bloodlines)

Guy Sebastian - Standing With You (Sony Music)

Ruel - Free Time (RCA / Sony Music)

The Kid LAROI - F*ck Love (Columbia/Sony Music)

Troye Sivan - In A Dream  (EMI Music Australia)

BEST FEMALE ARTIST

Amy Shark - Everybody Rise (Wonderlick Recording Company/ Sony Music)

Miiesha - Nyaaringu (EMI Music Australia)

Sampa The Great - The Return (Ninja Tune / Inertia Music)

Sia - Together (Monkey Puzzle, Inc., under exclusive license to Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International for the world outside of the United States)

Tones And I - Bad Child / Can't Be Happy All the Time (Bad Batch Records / Sony Music)

BEST DANCE RELEASE

Alice Ivy - Don't Sleep (Dew Process / Universal Music Australia)

Dom Dolla - San Frandisco (Sweat It Out / Warner Music)

Flume - Rushing Back feat. Vera Blue (Future Classic)

Northeast Party House - Shelf Life (Stop Start Music / Sony Music)

Stace Cadet & KLP Energy - (Medium Rare Recordings/Sony Music)

BEST GROUP

5 Seconds Of Summer - CALM (Interscope / EMI Music Australia)

DMA'S - THE GLOW (I OH YOU)

Lime Cordiale - 14 Steps To A Better You (Chugg Music Pty Ltd)

Tame Impala - The Slow Rush (Modular Recordings/Island Records Australia / Universal Music Australia)

The Teskey Brothers - Live At The Forum (Ivy League Records)

BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST PRESENTED BY PPCA

Alex the Astronaut - The Theory of Absolutely Nothing (Minkowski / AWAL Recordings)

Lime Cordiale - 14 Steps To A Better You (Chugg Music Pty Ltd)

Mallrat - Driving Music (Dew Process / Universal Music Australia)

Miiesha – Nyaaringu (EMI Music Australia)

The Kid LAROI - F*ck Love (Columbia / Sony Music)

BEST POP RELEASE

Amy Shark - Everybody Rise (Wonderlick Recording Company/Sony Music)

Lime Cordiale - 14 Steps To A Better You (Chugg Music Pty Ltd)

Sia – Together  (Monkey Puzzle, Inc., under exclusive license to Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International for the world outside of the United States)

Tame Impala - Lost In Yesterday (Modular Recordings/Island Records Australia / Universal Music Australia)

Troye Sivan - In A Dream (EMI Music Australia)

BEST HIP HOP RELEASE PRESENTED BY HENNESSY

Baker Boy - Meditjin feat. JessB (Danzal Baker/Island Records Australia / Universal Music Australia)

Briggs - Always Was EP (Adam Briggs / Island Records Australia)

Illy - Last Laugh (Sony Music)

Sampa The Great - The Return  (Ninja Tune / Inertia Music)

The Kid LAROI - F*ck Love (Columbia / Sony Music)

BEST SOUL/R&B RELEASE

Genesis Owusu - Don't Need You (OURNESS / AWAL)

KIAN - Every Hour (EMI Music Australia)

Miiesha - Nyaaringu (EMI Music Australia)

Tash Sultana - Pretty Lady (Lonely Lands Records / Sony Music)

Tkay Maidza - Last Year Was Weird, Vol.2 (Dew Process / Universal Music Australia)

BEST INDEPENDENT RELEASE

Archie Roach - Tell Me Why (Bloodlines)

DMA'S - THE GLOW (I OH YOU)

Lime Cordiale - 14 Steps To A Better You (Chugg Music Pty Ltd)

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Ghosteen (Ghosteen / AWAL Recordings)

Sampa The Great - The Return (Ninja Tune / Inertia Music)

BEST ROCK ALBUM

Cold Chisel - Blood Moon (Cold Chisel / Universal Music Australia)

DMA'S - THE GLOW (I OH YOU)

Ocean Alley - Lonely Diamond  (Independent / Unified Music Group)

Tame Impala - The Slow Rush (Modular Recordings/Island Records Australia / Universal Music Australia)

Violent Soho -  Everything Is A-OK (I OH YOU)

BEST ADULT CONTEMPORARY ALBUM

Archie Roach -  Tell Me Why (Bloodlines)

Donny Benét - Mr Experience (Dot Dash Recordings / Remote Control Records)

Gordi - Our Two Skins (Liberation Records)

Josh Pyke  - Rome  (Wonderlick Recording Company)

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Ghosteen  (Ghosteen / AWAL Recordings)

BEST COUNTRY ALBUM

Casey Barnes - Town of A Million Dreams (Chugg Music Pty Ltd)

Fanny Lumsden - Fallow (Cooking Vinyl Australia)

Jasmine Rae -  Lion Side (ABC Music / Universal)

The McClymonts - Mayhem To Madness (Island Records Australia / Universal Music Australia)

Travis Collins - Wreck Me (ABC Music / Universal)

BEST HARD ROCK/HEAVY ALBUM

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - Chunky Shrapnel (Flightless Records)

Parkway Drive - Viva The Underdogs  (Resist / Cooking Vinyl Australia)

Polaris - The Death Of Me  (Resist / Cooking Vinyl Australia)

The Amity Affliction - Everyone Loves You…Once You Leave Them (The Amity Affliction. Marketed & Distributed by Warner Music Australia under exclusive license)

The Chats - High Risk Behaviour (Bargain Bin / Cooking Vinyl Australia)

BEST BLUES & ROOTS ALBUM

Busby Marou - The Great Divide (Warner Music Australia Pty Ltd)

Frank Yamma - Tjukurpa: The Story (Wantok Musik/MGM)

Lucky Oceans  - Purple Sky (Songs Originally By Hank Williams) (ABC Music / Universal)

The Teskey Brothers  -  Live At The Forum  (Ivy League Records)

Tracy McNeil & The GoodLife - You Be The Lightning (Cooking Vinyl Australia)

BEST CHILDREN'S ALBUM

Diver City - Welcome to Diver City (ABC Music / Universal)

Teeny Tiny Stevies - Thoughtful Songs for Little People (ABC Music / Universal)

The Vegetable Plot - Season Two (ABC Music / Universal)

The Wiggles - Choo Choo Trains, Propeller Planes & Toot Toot Chugga Chugga Big Red Car! (ABC Music / Universal)

Tiptoe Giants - Colour the World  (Tiptoe Tunes / ABC Music)

BEST COMEDY RELEASE

Anne Edmonds - What's Wrong With You? (Guesswork Television)

Bev Killick  - Crummy Mummy (Rivershack Records / MGM)

Celia Pacquola - All Talk (Guesswork Television)

Crossbread Feat. Megan Washington & Chris Ryan - Just Jesus (ABC Music / Universal)

Tom Gleeson - Joy (Guesswork Television)

PUBLIC VOTED AWARDS

BEST VIDEO PRESENTED BY YOUTUBE MUSIC

Baker Boy - Meditjin feat. JessB (Danzal Baker/Island Records Australia / Universal Music Australia)

Guy Sebastian - Standing With You  (Sony Music)

Lime Cordiale -  Robbery (Chugg Music Pty Ltd)

PNAU feat. Vlossom -  Lucky   (etcetc Music)

Sampa The Great  - Time’s Up (feat. Krown) (Ninja Tune / Inertia Music)

Tame Impala - Is It True (Modular Recordings/Island Records Australia / Universal Music Australia)

The Chats - The Clap (Bargain Bin/Cooking Vinyl Australia)

Tones And I - Ur So F**kInG cOoL (Bad Batch Records / Sony Music)

Troye Sivan - Easy (EMI Music Australia)

Violent Soho - Pick It Up Again (I OH YOU)

BEST AUSTRALIAN LIVE ACT

Amy Shark - Amy Shark Regional Tour (Wonderlick Recording Company/Sony Music)

Baker Boy - Falls Festival (Danzal Baker/Island Records Australia / Universal Music Australia)

Cold Chisel - Blood Moon Tour (Cold Chisel / Universal Music Australia)

DMA'S - Unplugged & Intimate | Laneway Festival (I OH YOU)

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - St Jerome's Laneway Festival (Flightless Records)

Paul Kelly - Paul Kelly - Making Gravy 2019  (GAWD AGGIE / EMI Music Australia)

PNAU - All Of Us Australian Tour (etcetc Music)

RÜFÜS DU SOL - 2019 Summer Festival Tour (Rose Avenue Records under exclusive license to Reprise Records.)

Sampa The Great -The Return Australian Tour 2019 (Ninja Tune / Inertia Music)

The Teskey Brothers - Run Home Slow (Ivy League Records)

SONG OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY YOUTUBE MUSIC

5 Seconds Of Summer  - Teeth (Interscope / EMI Music Australia)

Flume Feat. Vera Blue - Rushing Back  (Future Classic)

Hilltop Hoods Feat. Illy & Ecca Vandal - Exit Sign (Hilltop Hoods / Island Records Australia/UMA)

Lime Cordiale - Robbery (Chugg Music Pty Ltd)

Mallrat - Charlie (Dew Process/Universal Music Australia

Ruel - Painkiller (RCA / Sony Music)

Sam Fischer - This City (Sony Music)

The Jungle Giants - Heavy Hearted (Amplifire Music / Together We Can Work Together / The Orchard)

The Rubens - Live In Life (Ivy League Records)

Tones and I - Never Seen the Rain (Bad Batch Records / Sony Music)

BEST INTERNATIONAL ARTIST

Dua Lipa  -  Future Nostalgia  (Warner Music Australia Pty Ltd)

Eminem  -  Music To Be Murdered By (Interscope/Universal Music Australia)

Halsey - Manic (Capitol/EMI Music Australia)

Harry Styles - Fine Line (Columbia/Sony Music)

Juice WRLD - Legends Never Die  (Interscope/Universal Music Australia)

Justin Bieber - Changes (Def Jam Recordings/Universal Music Australia)

Lewis Capaldi - Divinely Uninspired To A Hellish Extent (Universal Music Group/Universal Music Australia)

Lizzo - Cuz I Love You (Atlantic/Warner Music Australia Pty Ltd)

Taylor Swift - Folklore (Republic Records/Universal Music Australia)

The Weeknd - After Hours (Universal Music Group/Universal Music Australia)

TELSTRA ARIA MUSIC TEACHER AWARD

CJ Shaw - Palmerston District Primary School, Canberra ACT

Kathryn McLennan - Virginia State School, Virginia QLD

Sarah Donnelley - Wilcannia Central School, Wilcannia NSW

Thomas Fienberg - Evans High School, Blacktown, NSW

ARTISAN AWARDS

BEST COVER ART

Donny Benét  - Mr Experience (Dot Dash Recordings / Remote Control Records)

Jessica Mauboy - Hilda (Sony Music)

Lime Cordiale - 14 Steps To A Better You (Chugg Music Pty Ltd)

Violent Soho -  Everything Is A-OK (I OH YOU)

WASHINGTON - Batflowers (Washington / Island Records Australia / Universal Music Australia)

ENGINEER OF THE YEAR

Alice Ivy - Don't Sleep (Dew Process / Universal Music Australia)

IAMMXO (aka Mohamed Komba) for Miiesha - Nyaaringu (EMI Music Australia)

Eric J Dubowsky for Ruel - Free Time (RCA / Sony Music)

Kevin Parker for Tame Impala -  The Slow Rush (Modular Recordings / Island Records Australia / Universal Music Australia)

Greg Wales for Violent Soho - Everything Is A-OK (I OH YOU)

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

Kevin Shirley for Cold Chisel - Blood Moon (Cold Chisel / Universal Music Australia)

DNA & Louis Schoorl for Jessica Mauboy - Hilda (Sony Music)

IAMMXO (aka Mohamed Komba) for Miiesha - Nyaaringu (EMI Music Australia)

M-Phazes for Ruel - Free Time (RCA / Sony Music)

Kevin Parker for Tame Impala - The Slow Rush (Modular Recordings / Island Records Australia / Universal Music Australia)

FINE ARTS AWARDS

BEST CLASSICAL ALBUM

Alicia Crossley - Muse (Move)

David Greco & Erin Helyard - Schubert: Die schöne Müllerin (ABC Classic / Universal)

Jayson Gillham, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Nicholas Carter - Beethoven Piano Concertos (ABC Classic / Universal)

Richard Tognetti & Erin Helyard - Beethoven & Mozart Violin Sonatas  (ABC Classic / Universal)

Slava & Sharon Grigoryan - Our Place: Duets For Cello And Guitar (ABC Classic / Universal)

BEST JAZZ ALBUM

Katie Noonan - The Sweetest Taboo (ABC Jazz / Universal)

Luke Howard - All That Is Not Solid (Live At Tempo Rubato, Australia / 2020) (Mercury KX / Universal Music Australia)

Mike Nock; Hamish Stuart; Julien Wilson; Jonathan Zwartz - This World (Lionsharecords / The Planet Company)

Nat Bartsch - Forever More  (ABC Jazz / Universal)

Paul Kelly & Paul Grabowsky - Please Leave Your Light On (GAWD AGGIE / EMI Music Australia)

BEST ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK OR MUSICAL THEATRE CAST ALBUM

Chelsea Cullen - I Am Woman (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (Sony Masterworks)

Dan Golding - Untitled Goose Game (Original Soundtrack) (House House / Decca Classics Australia / Universal Music Australia)

Grigoryan Brothers - A Boy Called Sailboat (ABC Classic / Universal)

Matteo Zingales & Antony Partos - Mystery Road (Original Score: Seasons 1-2) (ABC Music / Universal)

Sally Seltmann & Darren Seltmann - The Letdown (Music from Seasons 1+2) (ABC Music / Universal)

BEST WORLD MUSIC ALBUM

Grace Barbe - FANM:WOMAN (Afrotropik / MGM)

Joseph Tawadros - Live at the Sydney Opera House (ABC Music / Universal)

Melbourne Ska Orchestra - Live At The Triffid (ABC Music / Universal)

The Crooked Fiddle Band - Another Subtle Atom Bomb (Bird's Robe Records / MGM)

Xylouris White - The Sisypheans (ABC Music / Universal)

 

Vote here and stay tuned for more exciting announcements about the 2020 ARIA Awards in partnership with YouTube Music.