Ladyhawke bags two Aria Awards

It's been a bumpy road to the Aria Awards for New Zealand artist Ladyhawke, but she had the last laugh with two trophies in the bag.

The New Zealand singer, whose real name is Phillipa Brown, caused controversy when she was nominated for five Aria Awards because she was born and raised across the Tasman, and is now based in London.

But Brown lived in Melbourne and Sydney for four years, and formed the group Teenager with Nick Littlemore of Pnau and Empire of the Sun.

On Thursday night she took out breakthrough artist single and breakthrough artist album awards ahead of the likes of Jessica Mauboy, The Temper Trap, Sia and Lisa Mitchell.

Brown said she didn't want to get involved in the trans-Tasman controversy.

"I have no idea the way the Arias work as far as the finer details go," she told media backstage after accepting the awards.

"I was incredibly honoured to be nominated. I think it's a shame that there was a bit of a dark shadow cast on it because I didn't mean for that to happen and I didn't want to upset anybody or offend anyone.

"I feel bad but confused, because I'm not sure the way this whole thing works."

Brown said it had been an amazing year for her since releasing her self-titled solo album.

"I wanted to write exactly the sort of music I would want to listen to myself," she said.

"I've always been huge pop fan and I wanted to experiment with pop and push myself and see how far I could go.

"I think it's really cool because I never thought of myself as a pop star or a pop type person."

Other winners on the night included Empire of the Sun, who won four awards for album of the year, single of the year, best group and best
pop release.

The band also picked up a new fan on the night with UK pop star Robbie Williams keen to work with frontman Luke Steele.

Former Australian Idol Jessica Mauboy seemed poised for Aria glory with seven nominations - more than any other artist.

But she walked away with just one for highest selling single, failing to shake off the Australian Idol curse.

Among the night's other big winners were AC/DC who took out best rock album and highest selling album, Troy Cassar-Daley triumphed in the best country album category, Daniel Merriweather was named best male artist and Sarah Blasko best female artist.

2009 Aria Awards Winners

Album of the Year: Empire of the Sun, Walking on a Dream
Single of the Year: Empire of the Sun, Walking on a Dream
Breakthrough Artist Album: Ladyhawke, Ladyhawke
Breakthrough Artist Single: Ladyhawke, My Delirium
Best Group: Empire of the Sun, Walking on a Dream
Best Female Artist: Sarah Blasko, As Day Follows Night
Best Male Artist: Daniel Merriweather, Love & War
Best Rock Album: AC-DC, Black Ice
Best Pop Release: Empire of the Sun, Walking on a Dream
Best Urban Release: Hilltop Hoods, State of the Art
Best Dance Release: The Presets, Talk Like That
Best Blues & Roots Album: CW Stoneking, Jungle Blues
Best Country Album: Troy Cassar-Daley, I Love This Place
Best Independent Release: Bertie Blackman, Secrets and Lies
Best Adult Contemporary Album: Josh Pyke, Chimneys Afire
Best DVD: Sia, TV is my Parent
Best Childrens Album: The Wiggles, The Wiggles Go Bananas!
Best Comedy Release: Hamish and Andy, Unessential Listening
Highest Selling Single: Jessica Mauboy, Running Back
Highest Selling Album: AC-C, Black Ice

* Check out photos from the event here.

- AAP