Ex-Idol singer wins major music prize

Former Australian Idol contestant and Australian Music Prize winner Lisa Mitchell.

AAP

FROM Australian Idol contestant to winning the most prestigious music prize in the country, Lisa Mitchell has been on one hell of a journey.

On Friday the 19-year-old singer took out the Australian Music Prize (AMP) 2009 with her debut album, Wonder.

She beat an impressive short list of nine artists including Sarah Blasko, Bertie Blackman, The Mess Hall and Urthboy to win the $30,000 prize.

Mitchell, whose career has blossomed since she rose to fame on the TV singing competition in 2006, is the first woman to win the award which is in its fifth year.

She said she never expected to be claiming top honours.

"I'm very flattered and very happy," she told AAP from the UK.

"I'm really shocked."

The softly-spoken singer songwriter was not in Sydney to accept the cheque.

She is on tour in Britain, where she has been making waves.

Born in Kent to a Scottish father, the UK press have been claiming Mitchell as a local.

"People are very quick to claim you as their own," she said.

"It's a bit of a tug-of-war at the moment between the UK and Australia, but it's good.

"I love both places."

Mitchell plans to put the $30,000 prize money towards her next album and improving her live show.

The accolade also means Mitchell should be able to finally shrug off the Australian Idol label.

But she says she's not too bothered by it.

"I don't really know what a tag means but I'm not too fussed."

The AMP runs separate to the more mainstream ARIA awards, and is Australia's answer to Britain's prestigious Mercury Prize.

Previous winners include the Drones, Augie March, The Mess Hall, Eddy Current Suppression Ring.