Genesis Owusu, Amyl and The Sniffers, Courtney Barnett Lead AIR Awards Nominations

With three nominations, Genesis Owusu is the artist to beat heading into the 2022 AIR Awards, while Amyl and The Sniffers and Courtney Barnett are close behind with two noms each.

Owusu, the Ghana-born, Canberra-raised funk artist, has been on an unbeatable run during the awards season, winning triple j’s J Award for Australian album of the year, the Australian Music Prize, several ARIA Awards, first ranking in the 2021 Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition and, more recently, breakthrough songwriter of the year at the 2022 APRA Music Awards.

His remarkable run could continue in August. Owusu’s critically acclaimed debut album Smiling With No Teeth is up to AIR’s coveted Independent Album of the Year honor. He also has a chance for independent song or EP of the year best independent hip hop album.

Singer Liz Stringer and Brisbane alternative rock band The Jungle Giants also won multiple trophies.

Now entering its 16th year, Australia‘s independent music awards is organized by trade body AIR, with support from the South Australian government.

This year’s edition will take place at the Freemasons Hall, Adelaide on Aug. 4, as an invite-only event, following a hybrid format in 2021.

The annual gala celebrates and recognizes Australia’s success in independent music. It is a fixture of the program for AIR’s Indie-con Australia conference. This year, it was held in Adelaide, South Australia, from Aug. 3-5.

Since its inception, more than 200 AIR Awards have been presented, with the likes of Courtney Barnett, Vance Joy, Flume, Sampa The Great, Sia, Sheppard, Peking Duk, A.B Original, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard and Violent Soho among the high-profile winners.

See the full list of 2022 AIR Awards nominations:

Independent Album Of The Year

The Jungle Giants Love Signs

Genesis Owusu: Smiling with No Teeth

Courtney Barnett — Things Take Time, Take Time

Liz Stringer: First Time Really Feeling

Amyl and The Sniffers Comfort To Me

Independent Song Of The Year

King Stingray- Get Me Out

Vance Joy — Missing Piece

Casey Barnes – God Took His Times On You

Genesis Owusu: Smiling with No Teeth

Jaguar Jonze – Who Died And Made You King

Best Independent Soul/Rnb Album Or EP

Emma Donovan and The Putbacks – Under These Streets

Milan Ring – I’m Feeling Hopeful

Parvyn – Sa

Liyah knight – The Travellers Guide

The Soul Movers Evolution

Best Independent Country Album Or EP

Georgia State Line In Colour

The Wolfe Brothers-Kids On Cassette

Tex Perkins & the Fat Rubber Band Tex Perkins & Tex Perkins – Tex Perkins & Tex Rubber Band

Felicity Uquhart & Josh Cunningham- The Song Club

Andrew Swift: The Art Of Letting Go

Best Independent Blues And Roots Album Or EP

The Teskey Brothers with Orchestra Victoria – Live At Hamer Hall

Martha Marlow-Medicine Man

Maple Glider- To Enjoy Is the Only Thing

Angus & Julia Stone – Life Is Strange

Liz Stringer: First Time Really Feeling

Best Independent Pop Album Or EP

Ngaiire – 3

The Jungle Giants Love Signs

Big Fear – Daisy

The Rubens – 0202

Imogen Clark – Bastards

Best Independent Rock Album Or EP

Courtney Barnett — Things Take Time, Take Time

Mike Noga – Open Fire

Jimmy Barnes- Flesh and Blood

The Hard Ons – Sir, I’m sorry, That Riff’s Been Taken

Hayley Marie – The Drip

Best Independent Classical Album Or EP

Nat Bartsch – Hope

Australian Chamber Orchestra / Richard Tognetti – River

Genevieve Lacey/ Marshall Mcguire-Bower

Mirusia Live In Concert

Grigoryan brothers – This is Us: A Musical Reflection of Australia

Breakthrough Independent Artist Of The Year – Presented By PPCA

Maple Glider

Martha Marlow

Teenage Joans

Telenova

Milan Ring

Best Independent Hip Hop Album Or EP

Chillinit Family Ties

Genesis Owusu: Smiling with No Teeth

Jesswar- Tropixx

Kobie Dee: Gratitude over Pity

St. Christoph & Shaade – No Pressure

Best Independent Dance Or Electronica Album Or EP

Flight Services – Forever

Kucka – Wrestling

Telenova – Tranquilize Remixes

June Jones – Leafcutter

Pretty Girl-Middle Ground

Best Independent Dance, Electronica Or Club Single

Shouse – Love Tonight (David Guetta Remix)

Confidence Men – Holiday

Pnau – Stranger Love Feat. Budjerah

Alice Ivy & Sycco – Weakness

June Jones – Home

Best Independent Jazz Album Or EP

Baby Et Lulu-Album Trois

Hiatus Kaiyote – Mood Valiant

Joseph Tawadros – Hope In An Empty City

Hilary Geddes Quartet Parkside

Sam Anning – Oaatchapai

Best Independent Punk Album Or EP

Dz Deathrays – Positive Rising: Part. Ii

Loser All The Rage

ModCon – Modern Condition

Amyl and The Sniffers Comfort To Me

Redhook Bad Decisions

Best Independent Heavy Album Or EP

Twelve Foot Ninja – Vengeance

Void Of Vision – Chronicles I: Lust

Mirrors The Ego’s Weight

Wolf & Cub – Dusk at The Watagan Forest Motel

Lord – Undercovers Vol. 1

Best Independent Children’s Album Or EP

Diver City-Dance Silly

Tiptoe Giants (Outside Time) (My Favourite Time Of Day

The Beanies – Let’s go!

The Wiggles-Lullabies With Love

Spotty Kites- Easter Songs For Kids

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Elroy Pepper

I have been writing professionally for over 20 years and have a deep understanding of the psychological and emotional elements that affect people. I’m an experienced ghostwriter and editor, as well as an award-winning author of five novels.