Ninajirachi could fill her boots at the 2026 AIR Awards, for which the EDM star and her support cast are shortlisted in 10 categories included the coveted independent album and single of the year.
With the release last year of her debut full-length album, I Love My Computer, the electronic music producer and DJ has been flying high both on the international festivals and awards circuits. Along the way, Ninajirachi (real name: Nina Wilson) nabbed three wins at the 2025 ARIA Awards, won 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.” On the live front, she realized a dream by performing at Coachella 2026, with another North American tour to come.
Expect another gold rush at the AIR Awards, to be presented Thursday, July 30 at Adelaide Town Hall, for an invite-only industry event.
Also on the night, Ninajirachi’s label home, Nina Las Vegas’ NLV Records, is shortlisted for independent label of the year, one of the top categories. NLV Records will square off with ABC Music, Astral People Recordings, College Of Knowledge and Mushroom Music.
Other nominees, announced today, May 14, include Teen Jesus And The Jean Teasers, Spacey Jane, Jem Cassar-Daley, Confidence Man, FISHER, John Butler, Keli Holiday, and Stella Donnelly.
Produced by The Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR), the awards were first established in 2006 as an effort to “recognize, promote, and celebrate the success of Australia’s Independent Music sector.”
The trophies will once again be handed out on the penultimate evening of AIR’s Indie-Con Australia Conference and A2IM’s Indie Week Australian Edition, presented this year at Mercury Cinema and Nexus Arts from July 29 – 31.
“The South Australian Government is proud to support Indie‑Con Australia and the AIR Awards,” comments minister for arts Kyam Maher MLC, “and to welcome nominees, industry leaders and delegates from across Australia and around the world to South Australia.”
As previously reported, AIR has, for the first time, split its dance and electronic recognition into more clearly defined lanes. A new best independent dance/club single category will spotlight club-driven tracks — including house, techno, trance, drum & bass and garage — with eligibility requiring a DJ service component.
Meanwhile, best independent electronic single fetes electronic releases not designed primarily for club settings, separating festival-floor material from broader electronic artistry.
The category formerly known as best independent dance or electronica album or EP category has been renamed best independent electronic album or EP to align with the updated single framework.
See the full list of AIR Awards nominations below.
| Best Independent Blues And Roots Album Or EP John Butler – Prism Folk Bitch Trio – Now Would Be A Good Time 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 Best Independent Classical Album Or Ep Andrea Lam – Piano Diary Diver City – Weekend Baby Best Independent Country Album Or Ep Emily Lubitz – Two Black Horses Best Independent Soul/Rnb Album Or EP Bumpy – Kanana Best Independent Pop Album Or EP Georgia Knight – Beanpole Best Independent Rock Album Or EP Playlunch – Sex Ed Independent Marketing Team Of The Year Mushroom Music – Bliss N Eso, The Moon (The Light Side) Independent Music Video Of The Year Ball Bass John – Ninajirachi, Fuck My Computer Independent Mix, Studio Or Mastering Engineer Of The Year Becki Whitton, Timothy Harvey, Hannah Cameron – Ruby Gill, Some Kind Of Control Folk Bitch Trio Best Independent Hip Hop Album Or EP Bliss N Eso – The Moon (The Light Side) Essendon Airport – Mor Best Independent Dance/ Club Single Best Independent Electronic Single Cosmo’s Midnight – 45 Best Independent Punk Album Or EP Best Independent Heavy Album Or EP Battlesnake – Dawn Of The Exultants And The Hunt For The Shepherd Independent Album Of The Year Folk Bitch Trio – Now Would Be A Good Time Independent Song Of The Year Jem Cassar-Daley – Kiss Me Like You’re Leaving Independent Label Of The Year ABC Music Independent Publicity Team Of The Year Cult Logic – Ocean Alley, Love Balloon Independent Producer Of The Year Angus Stone – Dope Lemon, Golden Wolf |
