The J Award of 2009 is the fifth annual J Awards, established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. The announcement comes at the culmination of Ausmusic Month (November). In 2009, as per 2008, three awards were presented; Australian Album of the Year, Australian Music Video of the Year and Unearthed Artist of the Year. The winner were announced on 4 December 2009.
Who's eligible? Any Australian album released independently or through a record company, or sent to Triple J in consideration for airplay, is eligible for the J Award. The 2009 nominations for Australian Album of the Year and Australian Music Video of the Year were selected from releases received by Triple J between December 2008 and November 2009. For Unearthed Artist of the Year it was open to any artist from the Unearthed (talent contest), who has had a ground breaking and impactful 12 months from November 2008 and October 2008.
Awards Australian Album of the Year Artist Album Title Result Sarah Blasko As Day Follows Night Karnivool Sound Awake Hilltop Hoods State of the Art Bertie Blackman Secrets and Lies Kid Sam Kid Sam Phrase Clockwork Paul Dempsey Everything Is True Philadelphia Grand Jury Hope is for Hopers Oh Mercy Privileged Woes Lisa Mitchell Wonder
Richard Kingsmill of Triple J said "It's been fantastic watching Sarah's career build over the last 7 years. We've admired the way she's carved her own niche in an industry that often supports bands more than it does solo artists. Her latest album is another solid body of work that has heard her diversify her song writing and incorporate some great new elements. She's pure class and she thoroughly deserves this award."
Australian Video of the Year Director Artist and Song Result Alex Roberts Art vs. Science - "Parlez vous Francais?" Yanni Kronenberg and Lucinda Schreiber Firekites - "Autumn Story" Sam Bennetts Bluejuice - "Broken Leg" Pradeep Senanayake Astronomy Class - "Where You At?" Ton Noakes The Scare - "Could Be Bad" Chris Frey Karnivool - "Set Fire To The Hive"
Brendan Hutchens from Triple J said "There were some outstanding Australian music videos made in 2009 and narrowing down all possibilities to just six nominees was a tough ask. The Art vs Science clip 'Parlez Vous Francais' directed by Alex Roberts has a fantastic original concept, brilliant performances, perfect timing, great design elements, strong camera work and editing that all together produces an interesting relationship with the song and engages the viewer for the full 4 minute duration. It stood out as being brilliant amongst brilliance."
Unearthed Artist of the Year Artist Notes Result The Middle East A musical collective based in Townsville. Philadelphia Grand Jury Winners of the Sydney Big Day Out competition. Seth Sentry A Melbourne hip hop artist. Washington Winner of the Melbourne Big Day Out competition.
Richard Kingsmill said "The Middle East won us and our listeners over with one simple thing - great songs. They really have a magical chemistry and it's exciting to have watched how they've progressed across 2009. Overseas interest is building and their debut album will be one of the anticipated releases of 2010. To think they were on the verge of breaking up before we spotted them on Unearthed makes us feel a little bit warm inside too."
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