Australian Album of the Year : Gotye - Making Mirrors

J Awards 2011

Since their inception seven years ago, the J Awards have become highly respected across the music industry. 

Selected on quality, and on the distinctive sounds and images that have defined that year in music, the awards are recognised by both industry and the general public as a stamp of excellence.

Unearthing, supporting and developing Australian artists is a key contribution triple j makes to local arts and culture. Announced last night at a special live broadcast live from Sydney, the winners of the 2011 J Awards are : Australian Album of the Year : Gotye's "Making Mirrors" Gotye is the musical guise of Melbourne producer, singer and multi-instrumentalist Wally De Backer.

Gotye's last long player "Like Drawing Blood" was voted triple j listeners' favourite album of 2006. 

Five years on, and Gotye's eagerly anticipated third album Making Mirrors looks set to further cement him as one of this country's finest songwriters.

A beautifully off-kilter collection of electronic pop, Making Mirrors sees De Backer push himself creatively to deliver twelve strange and wonderful tunes. And we think it is 2011’s Australian Album of the Year. Dom Alessio from Home & Hosed says: "Wally De Backer is arguably the most inventive pop songwriter in Australia at the moment".

His songs manage to be both infectious and inspired, packed with textures, instruments and melodies that catch your ear. The attention to detail on his third album is something to be marvelled at. And it has Somebody That I Used To Know on it!"

Unearthed Artist of the Year – Ball Park Music

Brisbane’s Ball Park Music kicked off 2011 by wowing us with tracks "I Fly" and "Sad Rude Future Dude", winning them the opportunity to open the Gold Coast Big Day Out through triple j Unearthed. In September this year they launched their debut album Happiness and Surrounding Suburbs at the triple j Unearthed showcase at BigSound.

It made such a huge impression on triple j staff it received a coveted J Award nomination for Album of the Year. Having just finished their own headline tour as well as a national tour with 2010 Unearthed J Award winners Boy & Bear, this summer sees them play a string of festivals. With such a hugely successful year, Ball Park Music are more than deserving of Unearthed Artist of the Year.

Australian Music Video of the Year – Emma Tomelty (Director) – Hermitude "Speak Of The Devil"

Director Emma Tomelty and choreographer Sisqo have created a kaleidoscopic video of colour and movement. It starts low-key with a single dancer, but you're quickly blown away by a tsunami of choreographed dancers filling the screen. Each time you watch it you catch new details as movement directs colour between frames and individual scenes connect to form one cohesive moving image.

Emma Tomelty's outstanding visual representation of Hermitude’s addictive tune is worthy of Australian Music

Video of the Year. Watch it and pick up some sweet moves to bust out at your next party.