In a world where pop culture dominates the media it is hard to imagine a shaggy-haired Melbourne grunge-rocker like Courtney Barnett would have made Rolling Stone Magazine’s #1 song of 2015 and have 8 nominations in this year’s ARIA awards.
Courtney’s nominations include: Album Of The Year, Best Rock Album, Best Independent Release and Best Female Artist. But Barnett doesn’t have it in the bag yet. She is up against an impressive pack that includes Vance Joy, Hilltop Hoods, Tame Impala and Hermitude.
Though the witty-lyricist did pick up an early ARIA this week at the Fine Arts & Artisan Awards for Best Cover Art on her self-illustrated debut album, 'Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit', which is set to receive a deluxe reissue on 6 November.
The set will feature a number of unreleased live tracks recorded at New York’s Electric Lady Studios as well as Barnett’s Record Store Day cover of John Cale’s ‘Close Watch’, a poster of the album artwork and four polaroid pictures taken by Barnett herself.
The Aussie rocker also made international headlines earlier this year when her song ‘Pedestrian At Best’ was praised by Rolling Stone. The song’s lyrics “Put me on a pedestal, I’ll only disappoint you. Tell me I’m exceptional, I promise to exploit you” rang with a sound of irony as Barnett’s obvious fear of fame was laid out in the very song that took her there.
Barnett’s deadpan vocals and '90s like melodies matched with her grunge fashion make her a standout among today’s more commonly praised celebrities. She is currently on tour and set to play at the Hollywood Bowl this month which has seen artists such as The Beatles, The Doors, Elton John and Jimi Hendrix perform on the same stage.
The singer-songwriter masters the mundane. From lyrical masterpieces to the strong Australian accent Barnett has caught attention from rock enthusiasts all over the world. Her teenage-love for Nirvana echoes in her songs and the 27-year-old has even been claimed as Australia’s new Bob Dylan.
Written by Catherine Moore
Courtney Barnett Tour Dates
Thu 7 January – Astor Theatre (Perth)Sat 16 January – Enmore Theatre (Sydney)
Fri 22 January – Palais Theatre (Melbourne)
Tues 27 December – Fri 1 January – Woodford Folk Festival
Mon 28 December – Fri 1 January – The Falls Music And Arts Festival 2015 (Byron Bay, New South Wales & Marion Bay, Tasmania)
