Tame Impala set to send ARIAs wild

Fremantle psychedelic rockers Tame Impala were boarding a plane to Brazil to kick off their South American tour yesterday when their seven nominations at the 27th annual ARIA Awards were announced in Sydney.

That epitomised the high-flying nature of the WA music scene, which boasts its largest contingent of ARIA nominees in the history of the national gongs.

Only young Sydney electronic producer Harley Streten, aka Flume, with eight nominations has more than Tame Impala.

Perth radio rock favourites Birds of Tokyo are up for six awards, alongside veterans Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.

Tame Impala's critically acclaimed Lonerism should start favourite for the coveted album of the year award, but the Fremantle globetrotters will need to beat releases from Flume, Birds of Tokyo, Cave and pop singer Guy Sebastian, who has five nominations this year.

Also with five nods, Empire of the Sun, led by Yokine's favourite pop genius Luke Steele, could add to their career haul of seven ARIAs.

Other WA musicians in line for trophies at the awards in Sydney on December 1 include best female artist nominee Abbe May, Fremantle pop outfit San Cisco, heavy rockers Karnivool, X Factor winner Samantha Jade, country pop dude Bob Evans and soul-blues singer Mama Kin.

WA Music chief executive Wendy Were said yesterday was a "top day" for the local industry.

This year the ARIAs are a mix of industry-judged and public-voted awards, with seven dished out yesterday at the fine arts and artisan awards.

Flume won producer of the year, while local composer James Ledger became the first WA winner, sharing the best original soundtrack/cast/show album award with Paul Kelly, Genevieve Lacey and Australian National Academy of Music musicians for Conversations with Ghosts.