Ever noticed that musicians, good ones, seem to arrive on the scene like the rise and fall of the tide, in spates and with relish, only to leave us again desolate and in want of more? In the last few years, it’s as though the music industry was coughing along in seasons, bearing fruit one minute and dropping leaves the next.

This year, however, has grabbed me by the scruff of the neck and slapped about in the face with a whole range of original, intelligent, and beautiful gems that have reinvigorated this cynic’s wry appreciation of music. Melbourne songstress Bertie Blackman is just one those brave enough to do so.

Since the release of third album Secrets & Lies, the chanteuse can do no wrong, selling out national tours and being bombarded with a stack of accolades, including nominations for Triple J’s Album of the Year, Channel [V]’s Oz Artist of the Year, and Best Independent Release at this year’s ARIA’s.

Now Blackman’s impressive nods have every hope of coming good at the 4^th Annual Jagermeister AIR Awards, which see’s her nominated for Best Independent Artist, Breakthrough Independent Artist of the Year, Best Independent Single for “Heart,” and Best independent Album of the Year for Secrets & Lies.

Bertie will perform at the awards on Sunday 22^nd November at Melbourne’s Forum Theatre. Go Girl!

You can catch Bertie at any or all of the myriad of upcoming dates listed below:

Saturday 28^th November, The Open Arms Festival, Coffs Harbour

Sunday 29^th November, Queenscliff Music Festival, Queenscliff

Sunday 6^th December, The Burrowes Warehouse Party, Melbourne

Tuesday 29^th December, Peats Ridge Festival, Glenworth Valley

Wednesday 30^th December, Falls Festival, Lorne

Wednesday 6^th January, Sunset Sounds, Brisbane

Saturday 9^th January, Southbound, Perth

Tuesday 16^th January, Hot BBQ Festival, Mornington Penninsula

Saturday 23^rd January, Kiss My Grass, Melbourne

Tuesday 26^th January, The Rocks, Sydney

Sunday 21^st February, Playground Weekender, Wiseman’s Ferry

- Carley Hall