J Award


The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station triple j and which are judged by the music and on-air teams from radio stations triple j, Triple J Unearthed and Double J As part of triple j's 30th anniversary celebrations in 2005, the station inaugurated a single "J Award" to be given for "an album of outstanding achievement as an Australian musical work of art - for its creativity, innovation, musicianship and contribution to Australian music." In 2007, a new award for "Unearthed Artist of the Year" was added and the original award was renamed as the "Australian Album of the Year" An additional category for "Australian Music Video of the Year" was added in 2008, originally with triple j tv as a co-presenter but that role is now filled by ABC TV program rage. The newest category in the J Awards is for the"Double J Australian Artist of the Year", which was introduced in 2014. The awards are given in an on-air ceremony held in November each year as part of triple j's AusMusic Month.

The J Award trophy

The initial style of J Award trophy was a rectangular glass plaque with the J Award logo over a section of frosted glass. It was only used from 2005 until 2007 and can be seen in photos with past winners under the history section of the J Award website.
The current J Award trophy is a 3-D design that features the top third of the J Award logo, the Emu and Kangaroo crossed necks and heads, and is made of glass and has the Categories & Winners inscribed onto them. It has remained largely unchanged since its inception in 2008.

Triple J Australian Album of the Year

The J Award is an award given by influential Australian youth radio station Triple J to Australian Album of the Year. It is judged by the music and on-air teams at triple j, Unearthed and Double J. The award was inaugurated in 2005, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the station's establishment.
The Judging criteria for the triple j Australian Album of the Year is open to any album released either independently or through a record company by an Australian artist. The album must be available for purchase and any album sent to triple j in consideration for airplay is automatically also in consideration for the J Award given it’s received by triple j within this period.
YearNominationsAlbum Title
2005--
2005LiorAutumn Flow
2005DownsydeWhen the Dust Settles
2005Ben LeeAwake is the New Sleep
2005CogThe New Normal
2005Architecture in HelsinkiIn Case We Die
2005The Beautiful GirlsWe're Already Gone
2005The DronesWait Long By The River and the Bodies of Your Enemies Will Float By
2005FakerAddicted Romantic
2005The PanicsSleeps Like a Curse
2005GyroscopeAre You Involved?
2005PivotMake Me Love You
2005Clare Bowditch & the Feeding SetWhat Was Left
2005The HerdThe Sun Never Sets
2005WolfmotherWolfmother
2005Bernard FanningTea and Sympathy
2006--
2006Augie MarchMoo, You Bloody Choir
2006The Living EndState of Emergency
2006Hilltop HoodsThe Hard Road
2006GotyeLike Drawing Blood
2006The GratesGravity Won't Get You High
2006The Sleepy JacksonPersonality - One Was A Spider, One Was A Bird
2006Dan Kelly & the Alpha MalesDrowning in the Fountain of Youth
2006Bob EvansSuburban Songbook
2006MacromanticsMoments in Movement
2006Sarah BlaskoWhat The Sea Wants, The Sea Will Have
2006SubAudible HumIn Time For Spring, On Came The Snow
2006Blue King BrownStand Up
2007--
2007The John Butler TrioGrand National
2007Josh PykeMemories & Dust
2007SilverchairYoung Modern
2007The Vasco EraOh We Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside
2007Architecture in HelsinkiPlaces Like This
2007British IndiaGuillotine
2007Midnight JuggernautsDystopia
2007KatalystWhat's Happening
2007UrthboyThe Signal
2007The PanicsCruel Guards
2007GrinspoonAlibis & Other Lies
2007BumblebeezPrince Umberto and the Sister of Ill
2007PnauPnau
2008--
2008Nick Cave and the Bad SeedsDig, Lazarus, Dig!!!
2008The PresetsApocalypso
2008Cut CopyIn Ghost Colours
2008CogSharing Space
2008Birds of TokyoUniverses
2008Bliss n EsoFlying Colours
2008TZUComputer Love
2008Eddy Current Suppression RingPrimary Colours
2008SparkadiaPostcards
2008The GratesTeeth Lost, Hearts Won
2008Augie MarchWatch Me Disappear
2008The DronesHavilah
2009
--
2009
KarnivoolSound Awake
2009
Hilltop HoodsState of the Art
2009
Bertie BlackmanSecrets and Lies
2009
Sarah BlaskoAs Day Follows Night
2009
Kid SamKid Sam
2009
PhraseClockwork
2009
Paul DempseyEverything is True
2009
Philadelphia Grand JuryHope is for Hopers
2009
Oh MercyPrivileged Woes
2009
Lisa MitchellWonder
2010
--
2010
Cloud ControlBliss Release
2010
SiaWe Are Born
2010
Tame ImpalaInnerspeaker
2010
WashingtonI Believe You Liar
2010
Birds of TokyoBirds of Tokyo
2010
Bliss N EsoRunning on Air
2010
Parkway DriveDeep Blue
2010
M-PhazesGood Gracious
2010
Bag RaidersBag Raiders
2010
Angus & Julia StoneDown the Way
2011
--
2011
DraphtThe Life of Riley
2011
Architecture in HelsinkiMoment Bends
2011
Art vs. ScienceThe Experiment
2011
GotyeMaking Mirrors
2011
KimbraVows
2011
Papa Vs PrettyUnited in Isolation
2011
The JezabelsPrisoner
2011
Big ScaryVacation
2011
Ball Park MusicHappiness and Surrounding Suburbs
2011
The Middle EastI Want That You Are Always Happy
2012
--
2012
Tame ImpalaLonerism
2012
AlpineA Is For Alpine
2012
HermitudeHyperParadise
2012
Ball Park MusicMuseum
2012
The RubensThe Rubens
2012
Bertie BlackmanPope Innocent X
2012
Regular JohnStrange Flowers
2012
Oh MercyDeep Heat
2012
UrthboySmokey's Haunt
2012
The PresetsPacifica
2012
Sarah BlaskoI Awake
2012
Parkway DriveAtlas
2013
--
2013
Northlane Singularity
2013
KarnivoolAsymmetry
2013
HorrorshowKing Amongst Many
2013
Abbe MayKiss My Apocalypse
2013
Boy & BearHarlequin Dream
2013
FlumeFlume
2013
RÜFÜSAtlas
2013
The DronesI See Seaweed
2013
Cloud ControlDream Cave
2013
Jagwar MaHowlin
2014--
2014sleepmakeswaveslove of cartography
2014SeekaeThe Worry
2014Hilltop HoodsWalking Under Stars
2014King Gizzard & the Lizard WizardI'm In Your Mind Fuzz
2014ThundamentalsSo We Can Remember
2014Flight FacilitiesDown To Earth
2014Ball Park MusicPuddinghead
2014#1 DadsAbout Face
2014Total ControlTypical System
2014RemiRaw X Infinity
2014Chet FakerBuilt on Glass
2014The PreaturesBlue Planet Eyes
2015
--
2015
Alison WonderlandRun
2015
AlpineYuck
2015
Courtney Barnett"Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit"
2015
Gang of YouthsThe Positions
2015
HermitudeDark Night Sweet Light
2015
Jarryd JamesThirty One
2015
Parkway DriveIre
2015
Seth SentryStrange New Past
2015
Tame ImpalaCurrents
2015
The RubensHoops
2016
--
2016
The AvalanchesWildflower
2016
Big ScaryAnimal
2016
Camp CopeCamp Cope
2016
D.D Dumbo"Utopia Defeated"
2016
FlumeSkin
2016
Julia JacklinDon't Let the Kids Win
2016
MontaigneGlorious Heights
2016
SAFIAInternal
2016
Sticky FingersWestway
2016
Violent SohoWACO
2017--
2017A.B. OriginalReclaim Australia
2017Alex LaheyI Love You Like A Brother
2017Ali BarterA Suitable Girl
2017Gang of YouthsGo Farther In Lightness
2017GordiReservoir
2017Meg MacLow Blows
2017Methyl EthelEverything Is Forgotten
2017The Smith Street BandMore Scared Of You Than You Are Of Me
2017ThundamentalsEveryone We Know
2017Vera BluePerennial
2018Amy SharkLove Monster
2018Camp CopeHow To Socialise & Make Friends
2018Courtney BarnettTell Me How You Really Feel
2018DMA'sFor Now
2018Hockey DadBlend Inn
2018Middle KidsLost Friends
2018Ocean AlleyChiaroscuro
2018PolarisThe Mortal Coil
2018RÜFÜS DU SOLSOLACE
2018Tash SultanaFlow State
2018'--

Unearthed Artist of the Year

A second category was introduced to triple j's annual J Award in 2007, with the triple j judges now looking back over the winners of site competitions over the year and awarding the triple j Unearthed J Award to the best and most promising artist. triple j Unearthed marked its first anniversary with over 10,400 artists live on the site, 80,000 registered users, 1.6 million tracks downloaded and 3.9 million tracks streamed. The Unearthed J Award is awarded to an Unearthed artist who has demonstrated the most musical growth and shows the greatest potential to make a contribution to the Australian music industry.
The Judging criteria for the Unearthed Artist of the Year is open to any artist who has had a ground breaking and impactful last 12 months. Any Unearthed artist who wins a sponsored competition or is featured on Unearthed is eligible for this award. Any artist registered on the Unearthed site during this period is also eligible in consideration for nomination for this award.
YearNominationsNotes
2007--
2007Cuthbert and the NightwalkersFrom New South Wales who won the 2007 The Great Escape, who have subsequently supported Kate Miller-Heidke, Old Man River and The Paper Scissors. The band released their debut album Love Needs Us on the Warner Music label.
2007IllzillaHip Hop artists who won the 2006 Falls Festival and then played at the Pyramid Rock Festival. They have also supported acts such as Astronomy Class and played at the finals of the DMC Championships.
2007Institut PolaireWestern Australia's who won the Perth Big Day Out. They have since signed to Sydney's Popfrenzy Records releasing their first EP The Fauna and the Flora. They have toured twice nationally in the past year, supporting international acts The Clientele, Camera Obscura, and WA tour supports with New Buffalo.
2007Leroy LeeFrom New South Wales who won the support slot for NSW leg of Missy Higgins' national tour.
2007 Young and Restless From Canberra who won the 2006 Homebake Festival. They have since toured across the country with the Erase Errata, Cansei de Ser Sexy and Love Is All. They have also signed with local independent label, Dot Dash Recordings, releasing their self-titled debut album in mid-July, 2007, then embarking on a successful headline tour of their own.
2008--
2008Art vs. ScienceWon the Splendour in the Grass Unearthed competition and have also played at Parklife, and are scheduled to perform at the upcoming Falls Festival.
2008Cassette KidsWere the Unearthed winners of the 2008 Big Day Out and have completed a national tour supporting The Presets.
2008City RiotsFrom South Australia, played the 2008 Big Day Out and Fuse Festival in Adelaide, then flew overseas to play the Great Escape Festival in the UK, playing sideshows at the Camden Barfly, and international pop festival in Liverpool. The band then played a five-week tour of the United States, taking in Milwaukee’s Summerfest with The Bravery, Wave Gathering Festival in Asbury Park, New Jersey.
2008Harlequin LeagueFrom Western Australia, the Unearthed winners on the 2008 Big Day Out and have supported The Freestylers, The Cops, Regurgitator, Expatriate, The Panda Band, Dardanelles, and The Checks.
2008 John Steel Singers From Queensland, winners of Unearthed's Brisbane leg of 2008 Big Day Out. The John Steel Singers have shared the stage with Polyphonic Spree, Built To Spill, Kelley Stoltz, The Brunettes, The Panics and The Panda Band, performing at the Playground Weekender, Was I There In Your Future?, Essential Festival and Come Together Festival.
2008Numbers RadioWon the Valley Fiesta Unearthed Competition.
2009
--
2009
Philadelphia Grand JuryWinners of the Sydney Big Day Out competition.
2009
The Middle East A musical collective based in Townsville.
2009
Seth SentryA Melbourne hip hop artist.
2009
WashingtonWinner of the Melbourne Big Day Out competition.
2010
--
2010
StonefieldWinners of the Unearthed High competition in 2010, from Gisborne, Victoria. Performed at the triple j showcase at the One Movement Festival in Perth, which resulted in them being booked for Glastonbury.
2010
Gypsy & The CatPlayed the NME weekender festival in London. They have also played at a number of Australian festivals, including Splendour in the Grass, Parklife Festival, and One Movement festivals and have supported The Strokes and Foals.
2010
Big ScaryA two-piece band, who were the unearthed winners for the Pushover Festival in Melbourne. They have supported Editors, Florence and the Machine and toured with Birds of Tokyo.
2010
Boy And Bear Unearthed winners for the Homebake festival in 2009. They have toured Australia with Angus and Julia Stone and Hungry Kids of Hungary. In 2010, they toured Britain with Laura Marling and supported Mumford & Sons on their Australian tour.
2010
The JezabelsA four-piece musical group from Sydney. Have played a number of festivals around Australia, including the Big Day Out, Pyramid Rock, Festival of the Sun, Playground Weekender, Come Together, Peats Ridge Festival, and Soundwave. They also supported Canada’s Tegan & Sara on their Australian tour, as well as touring with Regurgitator, Bluejuice, Dukes of Windsor, Van She, Sparkadia and Josh Pyke.
2011
--
2011
Ball Park Music
2011
Emma Louise
2011
Husky
2011
Lanie Lane
2011
San Cisco
2012
--
2012
Flume
2012
The Rubens
2012
Chance Waters
2012
Kingswood
2012
Thelma Plum
2013
--
2013
Tigertown
2013
SAFIA
2013
Jeremy Neale
2013
Wave Racer
2013
Dustin Tebutt
2013
Jackie Onassis
2013
Remi
2014--
2014Ceres
2014Coin Banks
2014Japanese Wallpaper
2014Airling
2014 Meg Mac
2014UV Boi
2015
--
2015
Boo Seeka
2015
Feki
2015
Gordi
2015
Tired Lion
2015
Vallis Alps
2016
--
2016
Alex Lahey
2016
Gretta Ray
2016
Julia Jacklin
2016
Kuren
2016
Tash Sultana
2017--
2017Alex the Astronaut
2017Baker Boy
2017Confidence Man
2017Ruby Fields
2017Stella Donnelly
2018--
2018Angie McMahon
2018G Flip
2018KIAN
2018Kwame
2018Slowly Slowly

Australian Music Video of the Year, co-presented by rage

A third category was introduced to triple j's annual J Award in 2008, "Music Video of The Year", with triple j tv selecting one music video from a list of approximately five nominations to be the best Australian music video. The music video of the year being determined for its outstanding achievement as an Australian musical video work of art. The music video is selected from any music video released by an Australian artist and that is also directed by and Australian director between November and December the preceding year. It is now presented in collaboration with long-running ABC music video program rage.
The Judging criteria for the Australian Music Video of the Year is open to any director who had an outstanding achievement as an Australian Music Video work of art over the past year. This award celebrates directors whom have exhibited creativity, originality, technical excellence and impact on the audience. Any music video must be available and any video sent to rage in consideration for airplay is automatically also in consideration for the J Award given it’s received by the ABC music video library within this period.
YearDirector NominationsMusic Videos
2008--
2008Josh Groom, Angus and Julia StoneAngus and Julia Stone - "Just a Boy"
2008Callum CooperTZU - "Computer Love"
2008Mike DalyThe Herd - "2020"
2008Kris MoyesThe Presets - "My People"
2008Sam BryantJosh Pyke - "Make You Happy"
2009
--
2009
Yanni Kronenberg and Lucinda SchreiberFirekites - "Autumn Story"
2009
Sam BennettsBluejuice - "Broken Leg"
2009
Pradeep SenanayakeAstronomy Class - "Where You At?"
2009
Ton NoakesThe Scare - "Could Be Bad"
2009
Alex RobertsArt vs. Science - "Parlez vous Francais?"
2009
Chris FreyKarnivool - "Set Fire To The Hive"
2010
--
2010
Sam KristofskiParades - "Loserspeak in a New Tongue"
2010
Mairi Cameron and Stephen LanceWashington - "Sunday Best"
2010
John HillcoatGrinderman - "Heathen Child"
2010
Director: SPODRichard in Your Mind - "Candelraba"
2010
Lucinda Schreiber and Beatrice PegardMidnight Juggernauts - "Lara Versus the Savage Pack"
2011
--
2011
David MichodChildren Collide - Loveless
2011
Natasha PinkusGotye - Somebody The I Used To Know
2011
Samuel BennettsBluejuice - Act Yr Age
2011
Emma TomeltyHermitude - Speak Of The Devil
2011
SPODArt vs Science - A.I.M. Fire
2012
--
2012
Luci SchroderAlpine - "Hands"
2012
Darcy PrendergastGotye - "Easy Way Out"
2012
Dimitri BasilFlight Facilities - "Foreign Language"
2012
Kris MoyesKirin J. Callinan - "Way II War"
2012
Quan YeomansBertie Blackman - "Boy"
2012
Selina MilesHilltop Hoods - "Rattling the Keys To the Kingdom"
2013
--
2013
Josh ThomasClubfeet - "Everything You Wanted"
2013
Christian J Heinrich & Nicholas RaboneBluejuice - "SOS"
2013
Darcy PrendergastThe Paper Kites - "Young"
2013
Matt CampbellKingswood - "Ohio"
2013
Adam CallenThundamentals - "Smiles Don't Lie"
2013
Dimitri Basil Vance Joy - "Riptide"
2014--
2014Toby & PeteChet Faker - "Talk Is Cheap"
2014Darcy Prendergast and Andrew GoldsmithHudson and Troop - "Frameless"
2014Mark AlstonIlly - "One For the City"
2014Jason GaleaKing Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - "Hot Wax"
2014Sia Furler and Daniel AskillSia - "Chandelier"
2014Jack PeddeyClient Liaison - "Free of Fear"
2015
--
2015
Darcy Prendergast and Josh ThomasBoy and Bear - "Walk The Wire"
2015
Heath Kerr and Josh DavisBriggs - "Children Came Back"
2015
Charlie FordCourtney Barnett - "Pedestrian At Best"
2015
Clemens HabichtFlume - "Some Minds"
2015
Natalie Erika JamesLife Is Better Blonde - "Mine"
2016
--
2016
Sunny LeunigCourtney Barnett - "Elevator Operator"
2016
Jim ElsonD.D Dumbo - "Satan"
2016
Danny Cohen and Jason GaleaKing Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - "People-Vultures"
2016
Tom NoakesTigerilla Ft. Gill Bates - "Tulips"
2016
Alex SmithOlympia - "Smoke Signals"
2017--
2017Josh Davis and Heath KerrA.B. Original - "Report To The Mist"
2017Tim WhiteClient Liaison – "A Foreign Affair ”
2017Matt SavJack River - "Fool’s Gold"
2017Danny CohenKirin J. Callinan - "Big Enough "
2017PAXIMethyl Ethel - "Ubu”
2018--
2018JAEN CollectiveB Wise - "Feel Something"
2018Guss MallmannDZ Deathrays - "Like People"
2018Harry DeadmanGolden Vessel - "BIGBRIGHT"
2018Claudia Sangiorgi DalimoreMojo Juju - "Native Tongue"
2018Sanjay De SilvaSampa the Great - "Black Girl Magik"

Double J Artist of the Year

In 2014 it was announced that a fourth category, "Double J Australian Artist Of The Year" would be added to the award list. It was awarded by Double J, triple j's sister station, to the artist that the station had seen as the greatest contributor to either recorded music, live performances or Australian music culture, or a combination of the three, during the course of the year.
The Judging criteria for the Double J Artist of the Year is open to any artist or group who had a standout year. This award celebrates artists whom have released or produced an album that's resonated with Double J as an impressive musical work of art; have pulled off significant live performances, events or tours; or made a valued contribution through their music to Australian arts and culture. Any albums must be available for purchase and any album sent to Double J in consideration for airplay is automatically also in consideration for the J Award given it’s received by Double J within this period.
YearNominationsNotes
2014--
2014Kate Miller-Heidke
2014Mia Dyson
2014Augie March
2014Blank Realm
2014Steve Smyth
2014Caitlin Park
2015
--
2015
Blank Realm
2015
Emma Donovan & the PutBacks
2015
Hiatus Kaiyote
2015
Tim Rogers
2015
Paul Kelly
2016
--
2016
The Drones
2016
Jordan Rakei
2016
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard
2016
Ngaiire
2016
Teeth & Tongue
2017--
2017Dan Sultan
2017Jen Cloher
2017Kardajala Kirridarra
2017Lance Ferguson
2017Paul Kelly
2018--
2018Gurrumul
2018John Butler Trio
2018Mojo Juju
2018Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever
2018Sampa the Great

Most awards and nominations

The only artists to have won more than one J Award are: Tame Impala, who won Australian Album of the Year in 2010 and 2012; and King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, who won Double J Artist of the Year and Australian Music Video of the Year in 2016. Many artists have been nominated for multiple awards, including the following:
NominationsArtistYears
4The Drones2005, 2008, 2013, 2016
4Gotye2006, 2011, 2012
4Hilltop Hoods2006, 2009, 2012, 2014
4Art vs Science2008, 2009, 2011
4Ball Park Music2011, 2012, 2014
4Darcy Prendergast2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
4Flume2012, 2013, 2015, 2016
4King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard2014, 2016
4Courtney Barnett2015, 2016, 2018
3Architecture in Helsinki2005, 2007, 2011
3Augie March2006, 2008, 2014
3Sarah Blasko2006, 2009, 2012
3The Presets2008, 2012
3Bertie Blackman2009, 2012
3Bluejuice2009, 2011, 2013
3Karnivool2009, 2013
3Washington2009, 2010
3Big Scary2010, 2011, 2016
3Boy & Bear2010, 2013, 2015
3Parkway Drive2010, 2012, 2015
3Tame Impala2010, 2012, 2015
3Hermitude2011, 2012, 2015
3Alpine2012, 2015
3The Rubens2012, 2015
3Thundamentals2013, 2014, 2017