2015 Carlton Dry Independent Music Awards

A blue carpet, there’ll be no pretentious red here, takes you through the large wooden doors of the Meat Market in North Melbourne, passed a waited serving Carlton Dry and to the party. Celebrating all that is and ever was of independent music in Australia for the past 12 months. The room is buzzing, and rightly so, as independent artists in the country are achieving some great things and deserve all the praise and excitement they can get.
After an hour or so of mingling and taking advantage of the stubbies of Carlton Dry at hand, formal proceedings begin: though formal is used very, very loosely. Dylan Lewis, you may remember him bringing you the sweet tunes on Video Hits, is the main man for the night, ensuring there’s laughter all round and awkwardness on stage is felt only when a laugh is the natural flow on.
Murray Cook (aka the red Wiggle) gave a keynote speech on independence and performances by John Butler, Airling, Bad//Dreems, Dead Letter Circus and Harts broke up the individual awards. Unlike the formal style awards nights are usually conducted in, the Carlton Dry Independent Music Awards were relaxed, natural and proved to all that everyone involved in the industry are in it for the right reason. While all nominees are winners (and even those who are independent artists that didn’t get nominated, your time will come), the lucky recipients are listed below.
Written by Amanda Sherring
Photo by: Aleksandar Jason
WINNERS
Best Independent Artist (Presented by Carlton Dry): Courtney Barnett
Best Independent Album: Courtney Barnett – Sometimes I sit and think, and sometimes I just sit
Best Independent Single or EP (Presented by RDIO): Courtney Barnett – Depreston
Breakthrough Independent Artist of the Year (Presented by PPCA): #1 Dads
Best Independent Hip Hop Album: Seth Sentry – Strange New Past
Best Independent Country Album: Frank Yamma – Uncle
Best Independent Blues and Roots Album: C.W. Stoneking – Goin’ Boogaloo
Best Independent Hard Rock, Heavy or Punk Album: King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard – I’m in Your Mind Fuzz
Best Independent Dance/Electronica Album: Flight Facilities – Down to Earth
Best Independent Dance, Electronica or Club Single: Hayden James – Something About You
Best Independent Jazz Album: Barney Mcall – Mooroolbark
Best Independent Classical Album: Australian Brandenburg Orchestra – Brandenburg Celebrates
Best Independent Label: Milk! Records