RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesWith five wins, Ninajirachi was untouchable at the 2026 AIR Awards, presented Thursday evening (July 31) at Adelaide Town Hall.
The EDM producer and DJ (real name: Nina Wilson) scooped the night’s big categories , including independent album, independent producer, and best independent electronic album or EP for I Love My Computer , while her breakthrough song “iPod Touch” took out best independent electronic single and independent song of the year.
Co-written with Darcy Baylis, “iPod Touch” took shape in 2024 and was “one of the hardest songs to finish, ever,” Ninajirachi explained in a taped acceptance speech. “A lot of my album tracks just fell from the sky and they were so easy. ‘iPod Touch’ had 100,000 versions and at a point I really didn’t think it was going to make it onto the album. But I’m so happy it did. It’s a real lesson in persistence and I’m so grateful that it’s won.”
Ninajirachi has been an all-conquering force on the awards circuit since I Love My Computer dropped a year ago. In the months since, she bagged three ARIAs, the Australian Music Prize for album of the year, J Awards, the NSW Music Prize for breakthrough artist, and took out second place in the Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition for “iPod Touch.” Prior to Thursday evening, she had never won an AIR Award.
After attending last year’s ceremony, Ninajirachi had an excellent reason to miss the AIR Awards this time; she’s currently touring the United States , with a show a Lollapalooza in Chicago on the same day as the indie awards. “If I could teleport, I would,” she insisted in a precorded bit.
I Love My Computer also swept the industry segment of the 20 th annual AIR Awards, with the independent mix, studio or mastering engineer of the year honor (Thomas Purcell PKA Wave Racer), independent publicity team of the year (Melody Forghani’s Twnty Three) and independent marketing team of the year (NLV Records, The Orchard).
The good times didn’t end there. Nina Las Vegas (real name: Nina Agzarian) and her team at NLV Records snagged the last of 24 awards announced on the night, independent label of the year. In her victory speech, Las Vegas recounted a grumpy email sent five years ago to the team at The Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR) , producers of the awards and the annual Indie-Con, also presented this week in the South Australian capital.
“I just work really hard to get what I wanted, and I really wanted this,” she told the full house of industry guests. Earlier in the week, Las Vegas and her team launched the latest Ninajirachi single, “WannaCry,” a collaboration with Porter Robinson.
With a trio of trophies, the ceremony was a massive success for Folk B*tch Trio. The rising act won for best independent blues and roots album or EP, breakthrough artist of the year and independent music video of the year for “Cathode Ray” (Bridgette Winten).
Other artist winners included Wilsn (best independent soul/RNB album or EP), Devaura (best independent hip hop album or EP), Ruby Gill (best independent country album or EP), Way Dynamic (best independent pop album or EP), Playlunch (best independent rock album or EP), Thornhill (best independent heavy album or EP) and These New South Whales (best independent punk album or EP).
Meanwhile, Sebastian Chase, founder of MGM Distribution, earned the outstanding achievement award. The industry veteran’s son Michael Chase was on hand to read a speech prepared by his dad.
The awards were first established in 2006 as an effort to “recognize, promote, and celebrate the success of Australia’s Independent Music sector.” AIR itself was founded 30 years ago to the month, in July 1996.
At the top of the 2026 edition, Hilton Gumbys, a Labor member of the Legislative Council in the South Australian Parliament, announced two additional years of state funding for the awards and Indie-Con, to secure the event in Adelaide until at least 2028.
Performers including The Tullamarines, Cookin’ on 3 Burners, Georgia Knight, and Elsy Wameyo, and Dylan Lewis and Jessica Braithwaite were back on hosting duties.
“Tonight we’re celebrating you,” AIR CEO Maria Amato told guests at the invite-only gathering. “The independent artists that do things that you love, on your own terms, and don’t let anyone stand in your way.”
Check out all the winners here and below. Listen to AIR’s nominee playlist on its supporting partner platforms YouTube here and Amazon Music here .
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Best Independent Blues And Roots Album Or EP John Butler – Prism Folk Bitch Trio – Now Would Be A Good Time (WINNER) Liz Stringer – The Second High Melbourne Ska Orchestra – The Ballad Of Monte Loco Sons Of The East – Sons Best Independent Jazz Album Or EP Natalie Gauci – Pictures Of Mars Phia – When I’m Holding You, I’m Holding Me Temporary Blessings – Sumbisori (WINNER) The Cat Empire – Bird In Paradise Touch Sensitive – In Paradise Best Independent Classical Album Or E P Andrea Lam – Piano Diary Australian String Quartet – Vanessa Perica, String Quartet No.1 No Feeling Is Final Joseph Tawadros – The Forgotten Path To Humanity Rose Riebl – Dust William Barton, Omega Ensemble – Gift – Our Breath Of Life (WINNER)
Best Independent Children’s Album Or EP Diver City – Weekend Baby Emma Memma – Dance Island Party Justine Clarke – Mimi’s Symphony Teeny Tiny Stevies – Brain Fart (WINNER) The Wiggles, The Tree Of Wisdom – The Tree Of Wisdom Best Independent Country Album Or EP
Emily Lubitz – Two Black Horses Hayley Jensen – Country Soul Imogen Clark – Choking On Fuel Ruby Gill – Some Kind Of Control (WINNER) Wade Forster – Gooseneck Party Best Independent Soul/RnB Album...
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