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Fast earning the reputation as one of Australian independent country’s favourite sons, Markus Meier has taken out three of the awards at the TransAct Southern Stars Australian Independent Country Awards over the weekend. The former Territory boy, Markus took home the accolades for Australian Independent Album of the Year for his last album A Different Land, Australian Independent Male Vocalist of the Year and Australian Independent Artist of the Year on Saturday night (October 8).

Markus released his third album Modern Days earlier this year and the second single from that album Only Human hit radio last month. The album has already seen Markus earn a #1 slot on country radio for the first single A Perfect Night. Touring off the back of his new album, Markus has just wrapped up the QLD / NSW run of dates, and heads back out on the road with Lee Kernaghan this month.

Now based in Queensland, Markus has been touring solidly with Lee Kernaghan as part of his band and as his official tour support for the past 18 months. He also opened up for The McClymonts as part of their national tour. With three impressive albums under his belt, this two time Golden Guitar nominee has been earning himself a solid following and an envied reputation.

Taking home three of the main awards at the TransAct Southern Stars Australian Independent Country Awards is a coup for Markus who is dedicated to pursing a strongly independent path with him music. “This is a huge honour for me and I feel very humbled by it,” he says. “You never expect to win these things, but when it does happen, it’s like a little pat on the back from the industry.” Markus was in fine company at the weekend’s awards, sharing the winning spotlight with the likes of Jetty Road, Katrina Burgoyne and Aleyce Simmonds to name  a few.

With his new album Modern Days, Markus is forging a new direction musically. Recorded with acclaimed producer Garth Porter, and written with Matt Scullion and Dan Conway, the album shows why Markus has been getting the reputation for being one of the new breed of country aritsts to watch out for.

“Music has always been a creative process and as an artist you must evolve with the music and with the times,” he says.  “Modern Days is an example of ‘country' moving into the future and becoming 'new country' and 'country rock'.  Our aim is to engage a new, youthful audience, perhaps even people who wouldn't normally listen to country music.  This album is more general than my previous two and hopefully will win over some new fans and get them interested in new country music.”

Modern Days, is out now through WJO Distribution. Only Human is at radio now.