AIM Awards to recognise independent talent
News: 17th January 2011 by Louise Dodgson under Finance, Law & Music Business, Record Labels
The Association of Independent Music (AIM) is pleased to announce details of the first ever AIM Awards, recognising the phenomenal talents of the independent sector.
The inaugural AIM Awards will take place in London in October 2011 and promises to highlight those labels, artists and independent thinkers that are the lifeblood of our industry.
As an antidote to the many awards events which reflect commercial rather than artistic achievements, AIM promises to put a spotlight on the extraordinary efforts of artists, companies and individuals who populate the thriving UK indie sector. With only two independent labels included in this year’s Brits nominations, never has there been more need for awards that celebrate the achievements and talents of the indies.
AIM Chairman and CEO Alison Wenham says: “After 12 years of sitting on the sidelines, AIM proudly announces its inaugural awards event, to be staged in October. With only two indie companies receiving Brit nominations this year, it is a perfect moment for us to put a spotlight on the amazing artists and companies in the sector. The awards promise to be different, lively and add to, rather than duplicate anything else in the industry.”
More details to be announced in Spring 2011.
About AIM
AIM is a not-for-profit trade body established in 1999 to represent the UK independent music industry. Now in its 10th year, AIM acts for over 90% of the independent market, with over 800 members from small start-ups to the largest and most respected independents in the world. AIM promotes this exciting and diverse sector globally, leveraging the sector’s power as a fifth major to enable its members to grow, grasp new opportunities and break into new markets.
AIM oversees an independent sector whose artists have claimed four Mercury Music Prizes in a row (2003 – 2006) and earned two thirds of all nominations between 2005 and 2008. Artists signed to UK Independents also scooped a quarter of all available prizes at the 2008 Brit Awards, with an independent-signed act grabbing “Best British Group” for the fourth year running. This confirms the sector’s undoubted lead in A&R.
The independent sector regularly accounts for 30% of all UK artist album awards (silver, gold, platinum/multi-platinum). In 2009, independent albums made up half of the fifty “best albums of the year” according to the UK music press, and independents claimed seven of the top ten releases.
Artists signed to AIM member labels include: Adele, Amadou & Miriam, Animal Collective, Arctic Monkeys, Basement Jaxx, Big Pink, Bjork, Bloc Party, Bon Iver, Coldcut, Fleet Foxes, Franz Ferdinand, Friendly Fires, Future of the Left, Grizzly Bear, Jack Penate, Jarvis Cocker, Jay Sean, Jose Gonzalez, Justice, Katie Melua, Lost Prophets, M.I.A., Maximo Park, Mr. Scruff, Nitin Sawnhey, Radiohead, Reverend And The Makers, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Roots Manuva, Royksopp, Seasick Steve, Sufjan Stevens, Super Furry Animals, The Cribs, The Futureheads, The Horrors, The Prodigy, The Raconteurs, The Strokes, The White Stripes, Vampire Weekend, Wild Beasts, The XX and thousands of others.
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