Nominations for the 2009 ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association) Awards have been announced, and they include a stellar line-up of the country’s brightest emerging and established artists. Capping off what’s been an incredible year for Australian music, the 2009 nominees highlight the strength and vitality of our diverse musical talent. Contenders across the Award’s 28 categories include newcomers Lisa Mitchell and The Temper Trap, pop darlings Jessica Mauboy and Sarah Blasko, indie-electro outfit Empire Of The Sun, and rock legends AC/DC, along with many more across an exciting array of musical genres.

The 2009 ARIA Awards will return home to original TV broadcast partner Channel 9 this year, where music fans will be able to catch the telecast from 8.30 on the evening of Thursday, 26 November, followed by an encore screening on MTV on Friday, 27 November at 5.30pm. With the line-up of Australian performers still a closely guarded secret, international superstar Robbie Williams is the first confirmed performance, gearing up for a spectacular rendition of his new single Bodies. This year’s Awards ceremony will be staged ‘In the Round’ for the first time, promising a TV event and delivery of musical performances unlike any before.

Emerging artists and first-time ARIA Award nominees once again lead the nominations field, with three standing apart from the crowd. Pop princess and Idol alumni Jessica Mauboy blitzes the nominations with seven nods for her debut album Been Waiting, which has achieved double-platinum sales to date. The 20 year-old from Darwin is nominated for BEST POP RELEASE, BEST FEMALE ARTIST, BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST – ALBUM, BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST – SINGLE (Running Back), HIGHEST SELLING AUSTRALIAN ALBUM and an impressive double-nomination in the HIGHEST SELLING AUSTRALIAN SINGLE category for Running Back and Burn.

Nominated for six ARIA Awards is powerhouse duo Empire Of The Sun with their first album Walking On A Dream. The dynamic partnership between The Sleepy Jackson’s Luke Steele and Pnau’s Nick Littlemore has borne one of the year’s most exciting releases, and one that has wowed fans and critics alike. They make their ARIA Awards debut with nominations for BEST GROUP, BEST POP RELEASE, SINGLE OF THE YEAR (Walking On A Dream), HIGHEST SELLING AUSTRALIAN ALBUM, HIGHEST SELLING AUSTRALIAN SINGLE (Walking On A Dream) and the coveted ALBUM OF THE YEAR.

Receiving five nominations for her self-titled album is livewire Ladyhawke (aka Pip Brown), who steps up to the plate at her first ARIA Awards with nominations for BEST FEMALE ARTIST, BEST POP RELEASE, BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST – ALBUM and BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST – SINGLE (My Delirium) and SINGLE OF THE YEAR. Ladyhawke’s danceable grooves and catchy hooks have seen her skyrocket from obscurity in the past year, becoming a festival favourite in Australia and around the world.

Up for an impressive four nominations is Melbourne indie four-piece The Temper Trap with their debut album Conditions. They make their first ARIA Awards appearance with four nominations in the categories of BEST ROCK ALBUM, BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST – ALBUM, SINGLE OF THE YEAR (Sweet Disposition) and ALBUM OF THE YEAR.

Australian rock legends AC/DC have had a massive twelve months with the release of their first new album in eight years, Black Ice. They’re back with four ARIA Award nominations under the belt for HIGHEST SELLING AUSTRALIAN ALBUM, BEST ROCK ALBUM, BEST GROUP, and the all-important ALBUM OF THE YEAR.

Hokum blues singer/songwriter C.W. Stoneking receives his first ever ARIA Award nominations, chalking up four nods for his album Jungle Blues in the categories of BEST BLUES & ROOTS ALBUM, BEST INDEPENDENT RELEASE, BEST MALE ARTIST and BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST – ALBUM. Stoneking, who was born in Katherine and raised in the Aboriginal community of Papunya, has received widespread critical acclaim for his debut release.

Towards the other end of the musical spectrum is Adelaide hip hop outfit the Hilltop Hoods, whose fifth studio album State Of The Art shot straight to No.1 on the ARIA Album Chart on release in June. The two-time ARIA Award winners are this year nominated for four awards in the categories of BEST GROUP, BEST URBAN ALBUM, HIGHEST SELLING AUSTRALIAN ALBUM and SINGLE OF THE YEAR (Chase That Feeling).

Receiving three nominations for her third album As Day Follows Night is the enchanting Sarah Blasko. She is nominated for BEST FEMALE ARTIST, ALBUM OF THE YEAR and BEST POP RELEASE, which she took home back in 2007 for her sophomore album What The Sea Wants, The Sea Will Have.

The lovely Lisa Mitchell has moved from strength to strength since appearing on Australian Idol in 2006, culminating in the release of her glorious debut album Wonder. She receives her first ARIA Award nominations in three categories including BEST FEMALE ARTIST, BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST – SINGLE (Coin Laundry) and BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST – ALBUM.

Joining Sarah Blasko and Lisa Mitchell is fellow singer/songwriter Kate Miller-Heidke, who also receives three nominations for BEST FEMALE ARTIST, BEST POP RELEASE and SINGLE OF THE YEAR for her hauntingly beautiful track The Last Day On Earth. This tops off a huge year for Kate, having won the esteemed International Songwriting Competition for her tune Caught In The Crowd in May.

No strangers to ARIA Awards success are Perth trio Eskimo Joe, who score three nominations for their fourth studio album Inshalla. They receive a nod for ALBUM OF THE YEAR, and will battle it out with fellow rockers The Drones in two categories for BEST ROCK ALBUM and BEST GROUP. The Drones are also up for BEST INDEPENDENT RELEASE for their album Havilah, cementing their status as one of the country’s hottest talents.

Receiving ARIA Award nominations for BEST MALE ARTIST and BEST ADULT CONTEMPORARY ALBUM are pop crooners Josh Pyke, Bob Evans and Paul Dempsey. Josh Pyke’s former No.1 album Chimney’s Afire has catapulted him into the spotlight since its release in October last year. Bob Evans (aka Kevin Mitchell of Jebediah fame) receives his second batch of ARIA Awards nominations for Goodnight, Bull Creek! while Paul Dempsey gains recognition for his first solo venture Everything Is True.

Dance outfits and former ARIA Award winners Sneaky Sound System and The Presets this year receive two nominations apiece. Both up for the BEST DANCE RELEASE award, Sneaky Sound System also receive a nod for BEST INDEPENDENT RELEASE for their sophomore album 2 while The Presets grab a nomination in the category of HIGHEST SELLING AUSTRALIAN ALBUM for Apocalypso.

The 2009 ARIA Awards also sees debut nominations for an array of artists including Ash Grunwald, Wes Carr, Hook N Sling, Tommy Trash, Zoe Badwi, Astronomy Class, Horrorshow, Pez, Phrase, Bertie Blackman, Dappled Cities, Art Vs Science, Bluejuice and Daniel Merriweather alongside established artists Pete Murray, The Waifs, Evermore, Jet, Little Birdy, Keith Urban, Troy Cassar-Daley and Jimmy Barnes. See below for a full list of nominees.

Nominees are:

Highest Selling Australian Single
Empire Of The Sun - Walking On A Dream (Capitol/EMI Music Australia)
Evermore – Hey Boys and Girls (Warner Music Australia)
Jessica Mauboy – Running Back (Sony Music Entertainment)
Jessica Mauboy – Burn (Sony Music Entertainment)
Wes Carr – You (Sony Music Entertainment)

Highest Selling Australian Album
AC/DC – Black Ice (Albert Productions/Sony Music Entertainment)
Empire Of The Sun - Walking On A Dream (Capitol/EMI Music Australia)
Hilltop Hoods – State Of The Art (Golden Era/Universal Music Australia)
Jessica Mauboy – Been Waiting (Sony Music Entertainment)
The Presets – Apocalypso (Std Edition) (Modular Records/Universal Music Australia)

Best Blues and Roots Album
Ash Grunwald – Fish Out Of Water (Delta Groove/Shock Entertainment)
C.W. Stoneking – Jungle Blues (King Hokum/Shock Entertainment)
Pete Murray – Chance To Say Goodbye (Sony Music Entertainment)
The Waifs – Live From The Union Of Soul (Jarrah Records/MGM)
The Wilson Pickers – The Land Of The Powerful Owl (ABC Music/Universal Music Australia)

Best Children’s Album
Bindi – Bindi Kidfitness 2 – Jungle Dance Party (EMI Music Australia)
Georgie Parker – Here Comes The Sun (ABC Music/Roadshow)
The Fairies – Princess Perfect (ABC Music/Roadshow)
The Saddle Club – Best Friends (Shock Entertainment)
The Wiggles – Go Bananas! (ABC Music/Roadshow)

Best Dance Release
Hook N Sling – The Best Thing (2008) (Hussle/Universal Music Australia)
Sneaky Sound System – 2 (Whack Records/MGM)
The Presets - Talk Like That (Modular/Universal Music Australia)
Tommy Trash Feat. Mr Wilson – Need Me To Stay (Hussle/Universal Music Australia)
Zoe Badwi – Release Me (Warner Music Australia)

Best Urban Album
Astronomy Class – Pursuit Of Happiness (Elefant Traks/Inertia)
Hilltop Hoods – State Of The Art (Golden Era/Universal Music Australia)
Horrorshow – The Grey Space (Elefant Traks/Inertia)
Pez – A Mind Of My Own (Soulmate Records/Inertia)
Phrase - Clockwork (Universal Music Australia)

Best Independent Release
Bertie Blackman – Secrets and Lies (Forum 5/MGM)
C.W. Stoneking – Jungle Blues (King Hokum/Shock Entertainment)
Dappled Cities – Zounds (Speak N Spell/Inertia)
Sneaky Sound System – 2 (Whack Records/MGM)
The Drones – Havilah (ATP Recordings/MGM)

Best Music DVD
Jimmy Barnes - Live At The Enmore (Liberation/Universal Music Australia)
Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson – Rattlin’ Bones Max Sessions (Liberation/Universal Music Australia)
Sia - TV Is My Parent (Monkey Puzzle Records/Inertia)
The Cat Empire – Live At The Bowl (Virgin/EMI Music Australia)
Various – Rockwiz – Salutes the Bowl (Liberation/Universal Music Australia)

Best Rock Album
AC/DC – Black Ice (Albert Productions/Sony Music Entertainment)
Eskimo Joe – Inshalla (Mushroom Records/Warner Music Australia)
Jet – Shaka Rock (Virgin/EMI Music Australia)
The Drones – Havilah (ATP Recordings/MGM)
The Temper Trap – Conditions (Liberation/Universal Music Australia)

Best Adult Contemporary Album
Bob Evans – Goodnight, Bull Creek! (Capitol/EMI Music Australia)
David Campbell - Good Lovin! (Sony Music Entertainment)
Josh Pyke – Chimney’s Afire (Ivy League/Universal Music Australia)
Little Birdy – Confetti (Eleven Music/Universal Music Australia)
Paul Dempsey – Everything Is True (Capitol/EMI Music Australia)

Best Pop Release
Empire Of The Sun - Walking On A Dream (Capitol/EMI Music Australia)
Jessica Mauboy – Been Waiting (Sony Music Entertainment)
Kate Miller-Heidke – Curiouser (Sony Music Entertainment)
Ladyhawke – Ladyhawke (Modular Records/Universal Music Australia)
Sarah Blasko – As Day Follows Night (Dew Process/Universal Music Australia)

Best Comedy Release
Dave Hughes – Dave Hughes Is Handy (Liberation/Universal Music Australia)
Hamish & Andy - Unessential Listening (Roadshow/Sony Music Entertainment)
Rodney Rude – Goes The Growl (DVD) (EMI Music Australia)
The BBQ Kings – The Fellowship Of The Grill (ABC Music/Universal Music Australia)
Tripod - For The Love Of God! (Liberation/Universal Music Australia)

Best Country Album
Felicity Urquhart – Landing Lights (Shock Entertainment)
Jasmine Rae – Look It Up (ABC Music/Universal Music Australia)
Keith Urban - Defying Gravity (Capitol/EMI Music Australia)
Shane Nicholson – Familiar Ghosts (Liberation/Universal Music Australia)
Troy Cassar-Daley – I Love This Place (Liberation/Universal Music Australia)

Breakthrough Artist – Single
Art Vs Science - Art Vs Science (Green/MGM)
Bluejuice – Broken Leg (Dew Process/Universal Music Australia)
Jessica Mauboy – Running Back Feat. Flo Rida (Sony Music Entertainment)
Ladyhawke – My Delirium (Modular Records/Universal Music Australia)
Lisa Mitchell – Coin Laundry (Scorpio Music/Warner Music Australia)

Breakthrough Artist – Album
C.W. Stoneking – Jungle Blues (King Hokum/Shock Entertainment)
Jessica Mauboy – Been Waiting (Sony Music Entertainment)
Ladyhawke – Ladyhawke (Modular Records/Universal Music Australia)
Lisa Mitchell – Wonder (Scorpio Music/Warner Music Australia)
The Temper Trap – Conditions (Liberation/Universal Music Australia)

Best Group
AC/DC – Black Ice (Albert Productions/Sony Music Entertainment)
Empire Of The Sun - Walking On A Dream (Capitol/EMI Music Australia)
Eskimo Joe – Inshalla (Mushroom Records/Warner Music Australia)
Hilltop Hoods – State Of The Art (Golden Era/Universal Music Australia)
The Drones – Havilah (ATP Recordings/MGM)

Best Male Artist
Bob Evans – Goodnight, Bull Creek! (Capitol/EMI Music Australia)
C.W. Stoneking – Jungle Blues (King Hokum/Shock Entertainment)
Daniel Merriweather – Love & War (Universal Music Australia)
Josh Pyke – Chimney’s Afire (Ivy League/Universal Music Australia)
Paul Dempsey – Everything Is True (Capitol/EMI Music Australia)

Best Female Artist
Jessica Mauboy – Been Waiting (Sony Music Entertainment)
Kate Miller-Heidke – Curiouser (Sony Music Entertainment)
Ladyhawke – Ladyhawke (Modular Records/Universal Music Australia)
Lisa Mitchell – Wonder (Scorpio Music/Warner Music Australia)
Sarah Blasko – As Day Follows Night (Dew Process/Universal Music Australia)

Single of the Year
Empire Of The Sun - Walking On A Dream (Capitol/EMI Music Australia)
Hilltop Hoods – Chase That Feeling (Golden Era/Universal Music Australia)
Kate Miller-Heidke – The Last Day On Earth (Sony Music Entertainment)
Ladyhawke – My Delirium (Modular Records/Universal Music Australia)
The Temper Trap – Sweet Disposition (Liberation/Universal Music Australia)

Album of the Year
AC/DC – Black Ice (Albert Productions/Sony Music Entertainment)
Empire Of The Sun - Walking On A Dream (Capitol/EMI Music Australia)
Eskimo Joe – Inshalla (Mushroom Records/Warner Music Australia)
Sarah Blasko – As Day Follows Night (Dew Process/Universal Music Australia)
The Temper Trap – Conditions (Liberation/Universal Music Australia)