Amy Shark arrives at the 2017 ARIA Awards at The Star in Sydney

Jessica Mauboy aside, the ARIAs for the past few years has seen indie-artists-come-commercial-powerhouses. It’s seen musicians unearthed on Triple J be signed to the traditionally pop labels; Sony Music, Universal Music Australia. This year, alongside Mauboy, is Julia Jacklin, Meg Mac, Tash Sultana, Tkay Maidza and favourite Amy Shark. No longer are the Samantha Jade’s and other reality show alum receiving the pointy trophies.

Shark is set to sweep the floor with six ARIA nominations (Apple Music Album Of The Year for her album Night Thinker, Apple Music Song Of The Year for her single Adore, Best Female Artist, Best Pop Release and Breakthrough Artist). When she won her first ARIA (Bets Pop Release), a shocked Shark became emotional. “If you’re a struggling musician who feels like they’re getting nowhere, just keep going,” she said. “When you battle and work you’re a**e off for 10 years and get nothing from nobody and then you are up for the biggest award you can get in your country, I was just so damn proud of myself to be in this company.”

“There were a lot of years I was very frustrated with the industry… I just wanted everyone to hear my music so bad. I guess I was wrong. Since signing with the best label and mangers in the industry [Sony Music], I realise now that you’re all amazing people. Thank you everyone for this.­ This is an incredible night for me.”

It’s a sentiment shared by Daryl Braithwaite: “If you’re a young musician, listen to that little voice inside your head,” he told a packed ARIAs auditorium.

Ten long years of playing in pubs and struggling through the lows of not quite being good enough, Shark began to think the music industry just wasn’t going to notice her. Then, she wrote Adore. Twelve months and 27 million streams on, she performed the single on The Late Late Show with James Corden (and waited in a dressing room next to Kim Kardashian nonetheless – “I had Kim Kardashian in the room next to me with Ludacris on the other side and it’s hard not to think: ‘Am I supposed to be here?’”) – Shark will support Vance Joy on his North American tour.

Updates to come.