The Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR) have already announced that their annual AIR Awards are nearly upon us once again, with the recent news that along with regular presenting partner Jagermeister, that Virgin Australia would be taking flight with the awards ceremony.
The airline joining the list of partners that includes music station Channel [V] and the support of DMG’s Nova radio network (recently bought up by media mogul Lachlan Murdoch) in rewarding the country’s highest achieving independent artists across all genres.
Now AIR have revealed the first of the performers that will be gracing the stage at the seventh annual Jagermeister Independent Music Awards.
Following yesterday’s news that he’d be playing alongside the likes of The Temper Trap for the AFL Grand Final; topping the bill is arguably Australia’s most influential and prolific singer/songwriter, Paul Kelly. Who is set to release his 26th(!) studio album this year, the debut record for his own independent label.
Kelly will be joined at the AIR Awards by his nephew and fellow recording artist Dan Kelly, the pair joining musical forces to perform a track from Paul’s highly anticipated forthcoming album.
The evening will also feature another star collaboration, with internationally renowned Melbourne funk & RnB band The Bamboos once again joining Tim Rogers for the performance of the infectious, bluesy single “I Got Burned.” Taken from the Bamboos’ highly acclaimed 2012 album Medicine Man, which featured an all-star list of notable local and international vocalists – the calibre of which is testament to the immense respect garnered by bandleader and songwriter, Lance Ferguson.
Ferguson and Rogers will once again team up for the Bamboos performance, with the latter also promoting the release of his new solo record Rogers Sings Rogerstein, also released this year, with an extensive national tour through August to October to coincide with his new album.
Also joining the awards performance lineup is one of Australia’s premiere beatmakers in Hermitude, who have soared to new heights since the release of their fourth album HyperParadise. The duo’s bullseye mix of futuristic pop and electronica will be brought to bear on the ceremony, touted to deliver one of their standout dancefloor numbers.
Blues and Alt-Country cowboy heartbreaker Lanie Lane also brings her unique talent and charisma to the stage at this year’s Awards. Following on from the breakout success of her debut album To The Horses, an 11-track collection that stirred a healthy and heady mix of early rock n roll, blues and rockabilly; served up with fantastic tales of love, lust, heartbreak and the importance of a good six-string.
Also billed to appear are Triple J ‘next croppers’ and one of this year’s most exciting emerging acts, Loon Lake. The Melbourne quintet have just released their highly anticipated second EP Thirty Three off the back of an extensive national tour, earning them a ton of airplay – especially Top 20 hit single ‘Cherry Lips’.
Rounding out the list of live performances for the 2012 Jagermeister AIR Awards is Melbourne’s own progressive hardcore outfit House vs Hurricane, who have released their sophomore album Crooked Teeth, their first to feature new vocalist Dan Casey. House vs Hurricane will surely blow the roof off with what’s bound to be one heavy as hell high octane performance.
AIR organisers have also promised that this isn’t the last of the musical acts to add to the ceremony, teasing that we can expect further announcements including nominations and more guest presenters.
The 7th Annual JAGERMEISTER INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS will be held on Tuesday October 16th, 2012 at Revolt bar in Melbourne.
