The Independent Music Awards
The Independent Music Awards 1 (IMAs) is an international program that honors top-ranked independent (indie) artists & releases in more than 50 Album, Song, Music Video and Design categories.
IMA honors are awarded to independent artists who broaden the definition of commercial music and represent the diversity of the global indie music scene. The program CREATES marketing, sales, and promotional opportunities to expand the fan base for artists and releases that are traditionally ignored by mainstream gatekeepers, mass media, and big box retailers.
The IMAs were Created in 1999 by Music Resource Group (MRG), publisher of the music industry’s popular print & online contact databases, The Musician’s Atlas 2 & AtlasOnline 3. The program receives submissions from previous major-label artists as well as self-released and indie label talent from more than 70 countries on 6 continents.
Past winners & nominees include: Jeff Healey, Speech, Martin Sexton, Chris Whitley, The Matches, Miguel Migs, Dengue Fever, Jamie Lidell, The Apples in stereo, Lacuna Coil, God Forbid, Marco Benevento, Sugarcult, Pulpo, Koko Taylor, Dan Bern, Girl In A Coma, Ike Turner, Joan As Police Woman, Girlyman, Selasee, Hoots & Hellmouth, Suzanne Teng, Muza, Val Emmich, Richard Julian, Jonah Smith, Tannis Slimmon, Jennifer Nettles, Unknown Hinson, The Trews, Johnny Dowd, Eleni Mandell, and The Mooney Suzuki.
Judging Process
Submissions are evaluated on the basis of artistic merit – originality, melody and composition. Panels of influential music veterans and music fans determine the winners and nominees.
Industry influencers who have joined the Independent Music Awards judging panels include: Peter Gabriel, Roger Daltrey, Tom Waits, Wynonna, Norah Jones, Les Claypool, Melissa Etheridge, Snoop Dogg, Keith Urban, Paquito D’Rivera, Ricky Skaggs, Jose Feliciano, Ray Davies, George Jones, Suzanne Vega, Zooey Deschanel, M. Ward, Bebel Gilberto, Buddy Guy, Patty Loveless, Bill Frisell, Lou Reed, Mickey Hart, Aimee Mann, Rosanne Cash, Ozzy Osbourne, Afrika Bambaataa, Judy Collins, DJ Spooky, Mark Hoppus (Blink 182), Ice-T, Shelby Lynne, Brian Welch (Korn), Pete Wentz (Fall Out Boy), John Pattitucci, Lee Ritenour, The Black Keys, Charlie Musselwhite, Kevin Lyman (Warped Tour, Taste of Chaos, Sideonedummy Records), Dalis Allen (Kerrville Folk Festival), Jason Olaine (The Festival Network/George Wein’s Newport 55 Jazz Festival), Anthony DeCurtis (Rolling Stone), Tom Beaujour (Revolver Magazine), Lee Mergner (Jazz Times), Evan Schlansky (American Songwriter Magazine), Carrie Hughes (MTV), Heather Smith (Rock The Vote), among many others.
Judges that have also won Independent Music Awards
- The Apples in Stereo
- Chris Whitley
- Martin Sexton
Vox Populi
The Independent Music Awards Vox Populi (‘People’s Choice') poll was added during the 6th IMA program to encourage fans to make a difference in an independent artist's career. Each year, tens of thousands of music fans from around the globe champion their favorite IMA artists. The results of the Vox Pop often differ from the industry determined winners.
Independent Music Awards Categories
IMA honors are awarded for excellence in song, album, music video, packaging, album art, concert photo, publicity photo, band and record label website, merchandising and college record label release.
External Links
- The Independent Music Awards
- The Independent Music Awards on MySpace
- The Musician’s Atlas
- The Musician’s AtlasOnline
- Musician's Atlas on MySpace