The new brigade of Aussie artists were on song today (May 13), when labels body ARIA presented its seventh annual No. 1 Chart Awards at Doltone House in Sydney.
ARIA’s ceremony celebrated those domestic acts who topped the national singles, albums or music DVD chart between Jan. 1, 2008 and April 30, 2009. Through that period, 11 Australian acts spent a combined total of 20 weeks at the crest of national sales chart.
Newcomers Gabriella Cilmi (“Sweet About Me” on Warner Music Australia), Wes Carr (“You” on Sony Music Australia) and Jessica Mauboy (“Burn” on Sony) were recognized for their respective chart-topping singles.
Eight acts were lauded for No. 1 triumphs on the ARIA albums chart. They were Gyroscope for “Breed Obsession” (Warner), Cut Copy’s “In Ghost Colours” (Modular/Universal), the Presets’ “Apocalypso” (Modular/Universal), Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson’s “Rattlin’ Bones” (Liberation/Warner), Pete Murray’s “Summer At Eureka” (Sony), Sneaky Sound System’s “2” (Whack/MGM), AC/DC’s “Black Ice” (Albert Music/Sony) and Natalie Bassingthwaighte’s “1000 Stars” (Sony).
Anglo-Australian rockers AC/DC were honored for the “No Bull Live” DVD, which enjoyed a five-week reign atop the ARIA music DVD chart.
Today’s ceremony put a shine on Australia’s music community when most in the country were still digesting the Federal Budget, which was announced Tuesday.
“The breaking of Australian talent continues to be of critical importance to major labels and independent artists and labels, and music continues to be a major contributor to the Australian economy,” comments Warner Music Australia chairman and CEO Ed St John, who also serves as chairman of ARIA.
During the selection period, 30 singles from Australian artists were awarded gold (35,000 units), platinum (70,000) or multi-platinum status, while 27 Australian albums were certified platinum (70,000 units) or multi-platinum.
Carr, Mauboy, Gyroscope and Sneaky Sound System were on hand to perform at the event, as did rising Universal Music-signed Melbourne duo Dash and Will, who today announced a national “Out of Control” tour beginning May 27 at Coffs Harbour.
