The Triffid Announces Queensland Album of the Year Nominees
It's time to get voting! Today The Triffid announces the nominees for Queensland Album of the Year (AOTY). A much-adored Triffid tradition, the AOTY throne has previously been claimed by Sunny State faves, The Chats, Tia Gostelow, Cub Sport, Busby Marou, and Halfway.
Aussie music fans have the opportunity to vote for their favourite QLD album, selected from the carefully (and painstakingly) chosen nominees. The winning artist will be crowned at an exclusive celebration at the Triffid on Thursday 25 November, while other local muso legends pay homage by covering tracks from each of the nominated albums. The winner will, of course, unveil their coveted spot on the iconic Beer Garden AOTY winners 'hero' mural wall. If playing a part in music democracy isn't enough encouragement to get voting...one lucky voter will score a Triffid Golden Ticket - free entry into every Triffid show in 2022? Yes please!
Kicking off this year's nominees, are AOTY alumni and Brisbane's fave sweetheart's Cub Sport. Nominated for their vulnerable and anthemic fourth album, Like Nirvana. 2020 was a stellar year for these indie-pop angels, with Like Nirvana peaking debuting at #1 on the ARIA Australian album chart before the band took their place on stage to perform at the AFL Grand Final. Previous AOTY victor, Tia Gostelow returns with her shimmering electro-pop sophomore album, Chrysalis. A pivot from her mellow 2018 debit, this triple j feature album celebrates Tia's coming-of-age experiences in a dancefloor-ready collection of tracks.
The Veronica's strut onto the nominee list having not released an album in seven years before dropping TWO just five weeks apart in 2020. Their edgy and angsty electro-pop masterpiece, Godzilla, reached #7 on the ARIA charts and further cemented the twins at the forefront of Aussie pop. Stepson, are nominated for Help Me, Help You; the band's first album in four years. The five-piece hardcore outfit from Brisbane were praised for their versatility, balancing head-banging tunes and mellow moments. Released six years after it's predecessor, Batflowers from Brissie indie-pop empress, Washington rounds out the AOTY nominations. Applauded for its welcoming and compelling vulnerability, Batflowers has won best cover art at the 2020 ARIA Music Awards and its title track was listed in the Top 40 of the Vanda & Young Global songwriting competition.
The impact of COVID-19 restrictions in 2019 and 2020 saw The Triffid play only one-third of their usual number of shows. For Triffid founder, John 'JC' Collins (Powderfinger, The Predators), the Album of the Year has always been something he wanted to incorporate into his venue and onto the musical-mural embellished Beer Garden Hero Wall. This year, as the industry begins its recovery, supporting local talent is more important than ever. “It's such an integral part of The Triffid, to celebrate Queensland's incredible music community and as a way to support emerging artists," explains JC.
As well as bragging rights, the winners of the Annual Album of the Year Award join the Hero Wall with their very own album spine painted amongst Queensland greats. For twelve months the winner will sit amongst permanent murals celebrating QLD legends, The Go-Betweens, Regurgitator, Custard, Violent Soho, Ball Park Music, Dune Rats and Powderfinger.
This years' AOTY announcement will be made even more special with the perfect beverage in hand. Range Brewing, The Triffid's Newstead neighbours have crafted the perfect brew to accompany the AOTY festivities.
The nominations have been announced, the beers have been canned...all that's left to do is VOTE NOW.
Voting is open now and closes Friday 19 November.
THE TRIFFID QLD ALBUM OF THE YEAR
2021 CELEBRATION
VOTING OPEN NOW VIA
THEMUSIC.COM.AU
THURS 25 NOV 2021
5.30PM START
RSVP
NOMINATIONS
BATFLOWERS - WASHINGTON
CHRYSALIS - TIA GOSTELOW
GODZILLA - THE VERONICAS
HELP ME, HELP YOU - STEPSON
LIKE NIRVANA - CUB SPORT
