She has quickly established herself as the most remarkable country music breakthrough artist of the decade.
No one considers the landscape painter Willard Metcalf (1858-1925) a breakthrough artist.
Red Stripe sponsors a breakthrough artist award and associates its brand with music in marketing campaigns.
"Of course being awarded as a breakthrough artist at 42 is funny," she admits.
Having headlined the BBC Introducing tent at Glastonbury and following perfomances at Reading, Bestival and the Jersey Live festival, Ed Sheeran was named best breakthrough artist.
After Faker released an EP, a slew of accolades quickly followed, including breakthrough artist of the year at the Australian Independent Music awards.
Streten won best breakthrough artist, best male artist, producer of the year and his self-titled release won best dance album.
Sarah Blasko, who won the best adult alternative album award for Eternal Return, and Montaigne, named breakthrough artist, were also critical of the lockout laws.
Barnett, who had the most nominations going into the ceremony, won the best female award, along with breakthrough artist and independent release.
Electronic music producer Nicholas Murphy, better known as Chet Faker, has picked up nine Aria award nominations, including album of the year, breakthrough artist and best independent release.
The singer Omar Souleyman, on his second tour of the United States this year, has become a breakthrough artist in the United States in what used to be called world music.
