ARIA 2018 Nominations | Predictions, Results, How I went...

In mid October I posted my predictions, now with the awards being held last night, how did I go? Until next year!

Now here are all the winners...

Album Of The Year

WINNER: Amy Shark - Love Monster (predicted by me)
Courtney Barnett - Tell Me How You Really Feel
Gurrumul - Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow)
PNAU - Changa
Troye Sivan – Bloom

Best Male Artist

WINNER: Gurrumul - Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow) (I went with Troye Sivian, 1 out of 2 ain't bad...)
Dan Sultan - Killer Under A Blood Moon
Dean Lewis – ‘Be Alright’
Troye Sivan - Bloom
Vance Joy - Nation Of Two

Best Female Artist

WINNER: Amy Shark - Love Monster (Picked the Shark two out of two, that makes 2 out of 3 total)
Alison Wonderland - Awake
Courtney Barnett - Tell Me How You Really Feel
Sia & David Guetta – ‘Flames’
Tash Sultana - Flow State

Best Dance Release

WINNER: PNAU – ‘Go Bang’ (Sydney based PNAU were my pick and they took the gong, 3 out of 4)
Alison Wonderland - Awake
Fisher – ‘Losing It’
Peking Duk – ‘Fire’
RÜFÜS DU SOL – ‘No Place’

Best Group

WINNER: 5 Seconds Of Summer - Youngblood (Predictable yes, but the boys did have a massive year, another one guessed, that makes 4 out of 5)
DMA’S - For Now
Peking Duk – ‘Fire’
PNAU – ‘Go Bang’
RÜFÜS DU SOL – ‘No Place’

Breakthrough Artist

WINNER: Ruel - Dazed & Confused (I had my money on Alex Lahey, sad I was going so well, 4 out of 6)
Alex Lahey - I Love You Like A Brother
Jack River - Sugar Mountain
Mojo Juju - Native Tongue
Odette - To A Stranger

Best Pop Release

WINNER: Amy Shark - Love Monster (It was a good night for Amy, 5 out of 7 correct thus far)
5 Seconds Of Summer - Youngblood
Dean Lewis – ‘Be Alright’
Jack River - Sugar Mountain
Troye Sivan - Bloom

Best Urban Release

WINNER: Hilltop Hoods – ‘Clark Griswold’ (feat. Adrian Eagle) (Their new single is much better that this, however they rule the ARIA's in this category, 6 out of 8)
360 - Vintage Modern
Esoterik - My Astral Plane
Kerser - Engraved In The Game
Mojo Juju - Native Tongue

Best Independent Release

WINNER: Gurrumul - Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow) (It was a huge night for Gurrumul, I did at least get this one right, the tribute to Gurrumul last night was probably the moment of the evening, 7 out of 9)
Angus & Julia Stone - Snow
Courtney Barnett - Tell Me How You Really Feel
DMA’S - For Now
PNAU – ‘Go Bang’

Best Rock Album

WINNER: Courtney Barnett - Tell Me How You Really Feel (Somehow I guessed this, Courtney has been a much quieter achiever this album around, however this was a standout record, well done Courtney. 8 out of 10)
Camp Cope - How To Socialise & Make Friends
DMA’S - For Now
Luca Brasi - Stay
Middle Kids - Lost Friends

Best Adult Contemporary Album

WINNER: Vance Joy - Nation Of Two (Not a great night for Vance, he didn't get as many nominations as I would have thought however I guessed this win for Vance, 9 out of 11)
Courtney Barnett & Kurt Vile - Lotta Sea Lice
Dan Sultan - Killer Under A Blood Moon
Missy Higgins - Solastalgia
Odette - To A Stranger

Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album

WINNER: Parkway Drive - Reverence (Big album from a band with a big fan base, this was one of the easier picks for the night, 10 out of 12)
DZ Deathrays - Bloody Lovely
King Parrot - Ugly Produce
Polaris - The Mortal Coil
West Thebarton - Different Beings Being Different

Best Blues & Roots Album

WINNER: Tash Sultana - Flow State (Like Vance, Tash didn't have as much luck as I would have thought, however it was a tough year Amy Shark slayed as a solo female artist so maybe next time Tash, however this was the standout record in this category, another relatively easy pick, 11 out of 13)
Angus & Julia Stone - Snow
Emily Wurramara - Milyakburra
Mama Kin Spender - Golden Magnetic
Ruby Boots - Don’t Talk About It

Best Original Soundtrack or Musical Theatre Cast Album

WINNER: Jimmy Barnes - Working Class Boy: The Soundtracks (Huge year for Jimmy Barnes this year, another easy one, 12 out of 14)
Evelyn Ida Morris - Acute Misfortune (Original Soundtrack)
Jessica Mauboy - The Secret Daughter Season Two (Songs for the Original 7 Series)
LIARS - 1/1 (Original Soundtrack)
Various Artists - Muriel’s Wedding: The Musical (The Original Cast Recording)

Best Country Album

WINNER: Kasey Chambers & The Fireside Disciples - Campfire (With the Hall of Fame in the bag, another easy pick and well done Kasey, what a career, 13 out of 15)
Adam Eckersley & Brooke McClymont - Adam & Brooke
Fanny Lumsden - Real Class Act
The Wolfe Brothers - Country Heart
Travis Collins - Brave & The Broken

Best Children's Album

WINNER: Justine Clarke - The Justine Clarke Show! (For some reason I thought the Wiggles had it, guess it's good I'm not a parent! 13 out of 16)
Lah-Lah - 10th Birthday Party
Sam Moran - Santa’s Coming!
Teeny Tiny Stevies - Helpful Songs For Little People
The Wiggles - Wiggle Pop!

Public Voted ARIA Awards

Song Of The Year

WINNER: 5 Seconds Of Summer – ‘Youngblood’ (Massive song, easy pick, the boys have a very big fan base, so when it comes to public votes this was a shoe in. 14 out of 17)
Amy Shark – ‘I Said Hi’
Angus & Julia Stone – ‘Chateau’
Conrad Sewell – ‘Healing Hands’
Dean Lewis – ‘Be Alright’
Peking Duk – ‘Fire/Reprisal’
PNAU – ‘Go Bang’
Sheppard – ‘Coming Home’
Troye Sivan – ‘My My My!’
Vance Joy – ‘Lay It On Me’

Best Video

WINNER: Dean Lewis – ‘Be Alright’ (I liked PNAU, however the general public liked one of the biggest songs of the year, another one wrong takes me to 14 out of 18.)
Amy Shark – ‘I Said Hi’
Client Liaison – ‘Survival In The City’
Courtney Barnett – ‘Need A Little Time’
Gang Of Youths – ‘The Heart Is A Muscle’
Mojo Juju – ‘Native Tongue’
Peking Duk – ‘Fire’
PNAU – ‘Go Bang’
Tash Sultana – ‘Salvation’
The Presets – ‘Do What You Want’

Best Australian Live Act

WINNER: 5 Seconds Of Summer - Meet You There Tour (Should have gone with the boys again, however I thought Tash's strong live reviews would get her over the line, 14 out of 19)
Amy Shark - Love Monster Tour
Client Liaison - Expo Liaison
Courtney Barnett - Tell Me How You Really Feel National Tour
Dean Lewis - 2017 National Tour
Gang Of Youths - 2017 National Tour
Paul Kelly - Life Is Fine Tour 2017
Peking Duk - The Wasted Tour
PNAU - Changa Australian Tour
Tash Sultana - Homecoming Tour

Best International Artist

WINNER: Camila Cabello - Camila (I thought Eminem was still a fan favourite, unfortunately another public vote makes me finish on 14 out of 20, overall taking me to a 70% strike rate with picking the winners)
Drake – Scorpion and More Life
Ed Sheeran - ÷
Eminem - Revival and Kamikaze
Imagine Dragons - Evolve
Khalid - American Teen
P!nk - Beautiful Trauma
Post Malone - Beerbongs & Bentleys and Stoney
Sam Smith - The Thrill Of It All
Taylor Swift - Reputation

Music Teacher of the Year

WINNER: Scott Maxwell (Grant High School, Mount Gambier SA 5209)
Becky Hall (Education Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne VIC 3052)
Dean Harawira (Nerang State High School, Gold Coast QLD 4211)
Deborah Skelton (Caladenia Primary School, Canning Vale WA 6155)

Tuesday Album of the Week - Stream Now!

Album of the Week - RESIN DOGS - {Notorious D.O.G}

Sunday Spotlight: Mumford & Sons

Little Lion Man was a monster hit in 2009, now it's time for their fourth studio album, Wilder from British four piece Mumford and Sons.

You can stream the entire album below and catch up with some of their previous hits and memories.

It's Sunday and no better time to catch some "Folk Rock" to make your Sunday Great Again!

Mumford & Sons are fan favourites, and as the Sunday Spotlight is winding down for 2018, it's great to conclude with a band continuing to gain new fans and bring fans from 2009 along for the ride.

Take a listen/look below and rediscover the 2009 champions of the Triple J Hottest 100, Mumford & Sons.

Online/Streaming... NOW! - Digital Single Edition

It's time to about big singles but like last week here is a look at some of this week's biggest album releases.

First up it's tomorrow's final Mini Sunday Spotlight, Clea – Vermillion to check this out visit my other BLOG first thing tomorrow....

Introducing next week's feature secondly, it's been a long time between drinks but yeah for new Resin Dogs, you'll be able to check out Notorious D.O.G. all next week!

Sia is in the holiday spirit releasing a few new additions to Everyday Is Christmas, the Expanded Edition. You can stream the original album here...

Now a look at this week's BIG new singles....

Fresh Friday Countdown #141 - Friday 23 November 2018

20 - Bene - Soaked
19 - Hayden James - Better Together {Feat. Running Touch}
18 - Vera Blue - All The Pretty Girls
17 - KIAN - Waiting
16 - CamelPhat & Cristoph - Breathe {Feat. Jem Cooke}
15 - Post Malone - Better Now
14 - Khalid - Better
13 - Billie Eilish - come out and play
12 - Travis Scott - SICKO MODE
11 - Martin Garrix - Ocean {Feat. Khalid}
10 - Amy Shark - I Said Hi
9 - Billie Eilish - when the party's over
8 - Charli XCX & Troye Sivan - 1999
7 - benny blanco, Halsey & Khalid - Eastside
6 - Dean Lewis - Be Alight 
5 - Hilltop Hoods - Leave Me Lonely
4 - Post Malone & Swae Lee - Sunflower
3 - Loud Luxury - Body {Feat. Brando}
2 - Amy Shark - All Loved Up
1 - Halsey - Without Me

Coming Soon...

It's almost time to do all my end of year wraps, so on Boxing Day, 2018 I will reveal the Album of the Year, will it be Amy Shark, Drake or Vance Joy???

Not only the album of the year will be clear, so will the first part of my top 200 songs of 2018. All the way from 200 down to 101. YASS.

New Years Day 2019, part two will reveal the biggest song of 2018.

Closer than those big dates, this Sunday will be one of the last Sunday Spotlights for 2018, Mumford and Sons. Sunday's in Summer I will also post a Summer Music List each and every week.

All music lovers love lists right?

All that and more coming soon, so come back, say hello...

Mid Week Album of the Week - Stream Now!

Tuesday Album of the Week

Album of the Week - ANDERSON. PAAK - {Oxnard}

Sunday Spotlight: MØ

Danish singer MØ has provided vocals to one of the biggest songs of recent times, Lean On with Major Lazer. Her second album (yes only second) Forever Neverland was released a short time back so MØ is way overdue for her first Sunday Spotlight.

Two albums, two EP's, a load of singles, featuring on a few Major Lazer songs (even one with the Bieber), Snakehips, Cashmere Cat and many more.

You can stream the new album below while checking out some visuals to hits and memories from the young Danish singer.

MØ is one of those acts you just have to love, she is featured a number of times at the Les Mills gym programs I do, she always has a hit on the radio, with or without Diplo and honestly like Charli XCX, MØ is a true pop star of our modern era.

Online/Streaming... NOW! - Digital Single Edition

We had a week off last week with new releases as the Christmas lead up is getting hella buck wild.

During the week we have featured the outstanding album from Mr Ziggy Alberts, Laps Around the Sun. Next week however we are going State side for some fresh new tunes from Anderson. Paak!

This week I am focusing on the big singles released, however quickly a few notable new album releases just out or incoming -

Missy Higgins – The Special Ones : Best Of

A best of just in time for Christmas! Missy Higgins has been kicking around for years now! Featuring a new track Arrows, some new versions of past hits, this will hit the shelves next Friday (23rd Nov).

Vance Joy – Live At Red Rocks Amphitheatre

One of three albums of the year from this blog. Facing off againist Drake and Amy Shark, will Vance Joy be crowned the Album of 2018? Find out here on Boxing Day. The live album features all the hits, Mess is Mine, I'm With You, Georgia, We're Going Home, Riptide and Lay it on Me.

Little Mix – LM5

One of the biggest exports from the UK X Factor (currently in it's 15th season with Robbie Williams as a judge!) have released their 5th album.

Mumford & Sons – Delta

Next Sunday's Sunday Spotlight, Mumford & Sons released their fourth studio record on Friday. The boys need another Little Lion Man, however with a strong following the group continue to draw crowds and streams online.

Now to the singles, I did forget Mariah also released a new album on Friday, will it be another stinker? All She Wants for Christmas is a comeback record.

Here are this weeks feature singles.

Fresh Friday Countdown #140 - Friday 16 November 2018

20 - RUFUS DU SOL - Treat You Better
19 - Hayden James - Better Together {Feat. Running Touch}
18 - Bene - Soaked
17 - Mumford & Sons - Guiding Light
16 - Normani & 6LACK - Waves
15 - Wafia - I'm Good
14 - Amy Shark - I Said Hi
13 - Vera Blue - All The Pretty Girls
12 - Khalid - Better
11 - Post Malone - Better Now
10 - Martin Garrix - Ocean {Feat. Khalid}
9 - Billie Eilish - when the party's over
8 - Travis Scott - SICKO MODE
7 - Amy Shark - All Loved Up
6 - Charli XCX & Troye Sivan - 1999
5 - benny blanco, Halsey & Khalid - Eastside
4 - Dean Lewis - Be Alight 
3 - Post Malone & Swae Lee - Sunflower
2 - Loud Luxury - Body {Feat. Brando}
1 - Halsey - Without Me

Thursday Album of the Week - Stream Now!

Mid Week Album of the Week

Tuesday Album of the Week

Album of the Week - ZIGGY ALBERTS - {Laps Around The Sun}

Sunday Spotlight: Muse

Forming in 1994 Muse have become one of the world's favourite rock groups. Hitting the peak of their success around 2003 with their album Absolution.

1999 is when we first started to hear Muse on the radio with Uno and in 2007 Knights of Cydonia (a 6 minute track) scored the number one spot in the Hottest 100. I would have never guessed that song to top the chart that year, however it did, beating Silverchair's huge anthem of the same year, Straight Lines.

On Friday Muse released their eighth studio album Simulation Theory. From the cover below it's a lot like the film Ready Player One.

We have had five singles from the album already and now (just in time for Christmas) the album has hit the shelves. I did miss my usual post this week about new releases, however in short next week's feature album from Ziggy Alberts, Joyride, this week's feature the MOS Annual 2019 and Muse were the biggest releases of the week!

Okay so Muse have had many big releases, so below are some of the many highlights, rock out with your cock out or jam out with your clam out, it's time to turn it up to eleven!

Like Queen before them Matt Belamy is one hell of an English showman.

Fresh Friday Countdown #139 - Friday 9 November 2018

20 - Allday - Wonder Drug
19 - Hayden James - Better Together {Feat. Running Touch}
18 - Khalid - Better
17 - Angus & Julia Stone - Youngblood
16 - Drake - In My Feelings
15 - Wafia - I'm Good
14 - Amy Shark - I Said Hi
13 - Travis Scott - SICKO MODE
12 - Post Malone - Better Now
11 - Matt Corby - Miracle Love
10 - Birds of Tokyo - Unbreakable
9 - Martin Garrix - Ocean {Feat. Khalid}
8 - Billie Eilish - when the party's over
7 - Amy Shark - All Loved Up
6 - Charli XCX & Troye Sivan - 1999
5 - Post Malone & Swae Lee - Sunflower
4 - benny blanco, Halsey & Khalid - Eastside
3 - Dean Lewis - Be Alight 
2 - Loud Luxury - Body {Feat. Brando}
1 - Halsey - Without Me

Ministry Of Sound: The Annual 2019 | Disc Three Highlights

Ministry Of Sound: The Annual 2019 | Disc Two Highlights

Ministry Of Sound: The Annual 2019 | Disc One

Album of the Week - VARIOUS - {Ministry Of Sound: The Annual 2019}

Sunday Spotlight: The Prodigy

Turn it up to eleven, it's time to get loud with THE PRODIGY!

The group from Essex, England have been pumping out bangers since 1990 and honestly their new album packs a massive punch. It's called No Tourists and it dropped on Friday.

Following the hits Voodoo People, Firestarter, Breathe, Invaders Music Die, Nasty, Need Some1 and more, The Prodigy have a monster back catalogue. The Prodigy will be bringing their signature sound to Australia in January/February 2019. You can grab tickets, dates and more HERE.

Let's just let the music and visuals speak from themselves it's the Sunday following Halloween and as a child I thought Breathe was one of the most scary videos around, so get your freak on below.

Happy Sunday, today will also mark the start of a hot dance inspired week, tomorrow will be a three album feature from the team at Ministry of Sound. Get ready to cut a rug, start below.....

Out on the Shelves... Album of the Week Stream NOW!

Fresh Friday Countdown #138 - Friday 2 November 2018

20 - benny blanco & Calvin Harris - I Found You
19 - The Cat Empire - Sola {Feat. DePedro}
18 - Bring Me the Horizon - Wonderful Life {Feat. Dani Filth}
17 - Khalid - Better
16 - Travis Scott - SICKO MODE
15 - Mumford & Sons - If I Say
14 - Amy Shark - I Said Hi
13 - Billie Eilish - when the party's over
12 - Post Malone - Better Now
11 - Birds of Tokyo - Unbreakable
10 - Martin Garrix - Ocean {Feat. Khalid}
9 - Vera Blue - All The Pretty Girls
8 - Wafia - I'm Good
7 - Charli XCX & Troye Sivan - 1999
6 - Post Malone & Swae Lee - Sunflower
5 - Amy Shark - All Loved Up
4 - Dean Lewis - Be Alight 
3 - benny blanco, Halsey & Khalid - Eastside
2 - Halsey - Without Me
1 - Loud Luxury - Body {Feat. Brando}

Out on the Shelves... Tomorrow | Preview

Here are some of tomorrow's most exciting new releases, starting with this week's feature album, his second album, Matt Corby's Rainbow Valley drops tomorrow AM!

More local new music tomorrow from Glades it's To Love You.

My special on dodgy Christmas albums returns with Samantha Jade and The Magic Of Christmas. After seeing her recently at an RSL, will Sammy Jade take this record on the road?

Sunday's spotlight artist The Prodigy, are back again tomorrow with No Tourists, they will also tour in early 2019!

With a couple of guests joining Kris Wu on Antares, we can check out the full record tomorrow.

San Mei will also release the Heaven EP tomorrow, here is the title track from the EP. Until New Music Friday...