New Girl In A Coma Video

7th Annual IMA Punk Song Winners Girl in A Coma have a new video. Check it out!

9th Annual IMA Submission Spotlight: Solam

ARTIST NAME: Solam

HOMETOWN/CURRENTLY BASED: Lausanne, Switzerland

WEB SITE: www.solam.ch

INFLUENCES: "Chanson Française," songs from South America, flamenco and oriental music.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Tour in America del Sur in March 2009, Théâtre de Beausobre in Cctober 2008, Madrid in 2008, Damas and Beyrouth in 2007, Théâtre de Vidy in 2006.

I SUBMITTED TO THE INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS BECAUSE... It is open to various music styles, far from the slavery of the music business, it is important to be part of such movements and we hope to meet people who we could work with and who are concerned by what artists have to say.

9TH ANNUAL IMA JUDGE YOU'RE MOST EXCITED ABOUT: Jonatha Brook

I'M PROUD TO BE AN INDEPENDENT ARTIST BECAUSE: I feel free to do what is important to me, I do not have to follow any major stream.

WHAT'S NEXT: Third album, new show and related tour.

SUCCESS= Fall 2010.

WHAT MAKES YOUR BAND STAND OUT: The intensity of the worlds that get created in each concert.

WHERE DO YOU TOUR? Mostly in Switzerland.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE VENUE TO PLAY AND WHY? Small concert halls when you are really in contact with the public, we love feeling that our music is a deep communication with the public who reacts with its opinion and feelings.

Johnny Dowd Featured on The Love and Rockets Tribute CD

7th Annual IMA Alt. Country Album Winner Johnny Dowd has a track on the Love and Rockets tribute album, New Tales to Tell. The album was released digitally on July 28th and will be available on CD August 11th. Dowd collaborated with friend Billy Coté (Madder Rose) for his cover of “Bound for Hell.” Other artists on the album include David Johansen, Frank Black, The Dandy Warhols, Adrian of No Doubt and Chantal of Morningwood.

Dowd is currently working on a new album, set to be released next spring. He says it is "
going to take us back to the days when Soul music and garage Rock collided. Lots of fuzz bass, farfisa, and and 'my baby left me' lyrics.'In short, another new direction. It's going to be (I swear) my best, most fun, record yet."

There's also a May 2010 European tour in the works, so stay tuned!

Ari Gold In the Studio!

7th Annual IMA R&B Song Winner Ari Gold is in the studio with two-time Grammy Award Winning Mixer/Engineer Bob Rosa, who has recorded for Michael Jackson, Madonna, Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston.

Stay tuned for more updates on Ari and the rest of the IMA artist family!

9th Annual IMA Submission Spotlight: Eduardo de la Iglesia

ARTIST NAME: Eduardo de la Iglesia

HOMETOWN/CURRENTLY BASED: Madrid (Spain)

WEB SITE: www.eduardodelaiglesia.com

INFLUENCES: Soundtracks (John Williams, Basil Poledouris...), Rock, Country.... all kind of music

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Work making music for Videogames, documentaries, short movies, spots, being the director of my Chorale "Federico Chueca." Winning the "West Coast Songwriter International Song Contest 2009" on the Instrumental category, Winning the "16th Annual Billboard Song contest" on the Electronica/Soundtrack category, Nomineed on the Hollywood music Awards 2008" and in the "L.A. Music Awards 2009."

I SUBMITTED TO THE INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS BECAUSE.. It´s a pleasure for me as a composer to participate on it ;)

I'M PROUD TO BE AN INDEPENDENT ARTIST BECAUSE: I do the best thing in the world: compose music!

WHAT'S NEXT: I´m composing the soundtrack for the videogame "The Long Silence"

SUCCESS= Working in what I like...COMPOSING MUSIC!

Brently Tops MySpace Charts!

8th Annual IMA R&B Album Winner Brentley made it to #9 on the MySpace Video charts.



He's also got a new song out so be sure to check it out!

Acoustic Performance from IMA Winner April Smith

9th Annual IMA sponsors Venus Zine and On the Verge have teamed up to bring you an IMA edition of the show.

Here's a special acoustic performance ("Drop Dead Gorgeous") from 8th Annual IMA Pop/Rock Song Winner April Smith. There's another on the way, along with an interview, so stay tuned!

9th IMA Submission Spotlight: Holding.Sky

ARTIST NAME: Holding.Sky

HOMETOWN/CURRENTLY BASED: Originally from Hamilton ON, now based in Toronto ON

WEB SITE: www.holdingsky.com, www.myspace.com/holdingsky, www.purevolume.com/holdingsky

INFLUENCES: Thursday, Glassjaw, Thrice, Moving Mountains, Jimmy Eat World

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:- Opening the 2006 Taste of Chaos
-working on our new album with producer Dan Achen
-opening for Moneen
-opening for the Ataris

WE SUBMITTED TO THE INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS BECAUSE...
-We consider ourselves to be a truly independent band, booking our own tours, writing our own music and, well, making a living out of being poor. Not only this, but we love all the other independent bands we work with, the passion every musician has for their own music. As such we submitted to the IMA's to reach out to more of these artists we love and also to allow them to hear the music we are crafting. We want to share our music as well as become more interactive within our own community.

9TH ANNUAL IMA JUDGE WE'RE MOST EXCITED ABOUT:
There are two judges we are currently very excited about. The first is Dan Auerbach. As musicians we are amazed by his ability to create musical moments. Points in music that you want to go on forever, but you know will not. He has created so much working with what seems so little in today's musical arsenal. Having someone who has such insight into music as a judge is truly exciting.

The other judge we are equally excited about is Mark Hoppus. We grew up listening to his music and to know he may hear ours is something we never thought possible. Furthermore, he understands that music is fun, and every show we've seen him play he has brought that attitude. And if we want anyone judging our music, we want it so be someone who knows that there is nothing more fun than music.

WE'RE PROUD TO BE AN INDEPENDENT ARTISTs BECAUSE:
Of all the people we work with. Ever independent artist we've met has such a passion for music it only makes us want to work harder. Furthermore the people who are just as much a part of the independent scene, without being an "artist", are some of the greatest people we have ever worked with. They make us ashamed to do so little with our lives, make us happy to live in this world and challenge us on a daily basis. To be surrounded by such people is an incredible experience and one of the many reasons we will always take part in independent music.

WHAT'S NEXT:
Right now we are working with a friend who is just graduating music recording/production at Metal Works studio to record a singe demo track. It is a song called "Middle of An Explosion" and demonstrates the directions we're working in with a lot of vocal harmonies as well as ambient guitar work.

At the same time we are starting a new way to release our music. As independent artists we do not have the ability to wait years between releases and still keep listeners interested. Instead we are focusing on a new release schedule, so that our fans can have our most recent material almost as soon as we're done. We're making plans with our producer Dan Achen to start releasing three tracks every four months via Internet downloads. The final form this will take is not established, but we're aiming at having a winter EP, a spring/summer EP and a fall EP every year available for download, along with some bonuses, such as b-sides, videos and wallpapers.

We are also planning a tour with our friends from Ottawa called Fathom Ties. We're hoping to take two weeks and travel across most of Ontario at the end of the summer.
All in all, we're busy, and that's the only way we want it.

SUCCESS =
To us there is short term and long term success.

Short term success is measured at every shows, and is simply put did we have a good time, and did everyone who came to the show enjoy themselves. It's not measured in sales, or autographs, just smiles and sweat.

Long term success is the ability to play music every night and be constantly on tour. This means that our music supports itself and we don't have to work a second job to allow us to pursue our passion.

WHAT MAKES OUR BAND STAND OUT:
One of the most unique factors about our band are the members themselves. Two of us are in medical school, one is an animator and just finished working on the Tim Burton movie 9, another is an IT tech and the last just graduated from graphic design. But of course when you first hear our music you don't know our unique background, this being said, our diversity shows through in our music and is the other fact that makes our band stands out. As we all have very different backgrounds we bring different issues and feelings when we write. This allows us to create songs with a solid hook, yet on the third listen through you can hear the technicality underneath. Writing music that has strong musical hooks (musical moments as we call them) and writing technical music is something we feel many people have thought to be mutually exclusive but we constantly blend the two together and I think this is what makes us stand out to the casual listener.

WHERE DO YOU TOUR?
Right now all the tours that we have done successfully have been limited to Ontario. This being said, we have played most of Ontario, and multiple times at that. We have scheduled two cross Canada tours and due to scheduling errors, closing venues, or every issue that plagues independent artists, we have been unable to finish either one. This of course has left us homeless on more than one occasion and our drummer sleeping on our guitarists couch for almost a month.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE VENUE TO PLAY AND WHY?
Our favourite venue to play is the Opera House in Toronto, Ontario. We love the set up of both the stage and the venue itself. People can sit on a balcony, or be in the pit right at stage front. Furthermore, the sound is incredible. Even if only 10 people are left at the end of the night, as soon as you start to play the sound makes you feel like you're in a crowded amphitheater, and allows you to capture the spirit of your music.

7th Annual IMA Vox Populi (Punk Song) Winner Aimee Allen Releases New Album Today

Aimee Allen's new album, A Little Happiness, hits shelves and Internet outlets today.

Here's an excerpt from her interview with Venus Zine:

Aimee Allen is on a mission. One that makes people feel less alone — bringing beauty where there is none, light where there is darkness, love where there is hatred, and understanding to the people who the world thinks are mad.

“I'm not so disillusioned that I think I can save or change the world,” says the Grammy-nominated songstress and former co-host of the “Suicide Girls” radio show. But she can still hope to heal injustice through her music.

On her new album, A Little Happiness (Side Tracked Records), Los Angeles–based Allen is at her most vulnerable and beautiful. The rage that fueled her 2003 supposed-to-be debut, I'd Start a Revolution If I Could Get Up In the Morning, — which remains unreleased due to the Elektra–Atlantic Records merger — and even her 2007 collaboration with Unwritten Law frontman and former boyfriend, Scott Russo (Scott & Aimee: Sitting In a Tree) is long gone.

The girl who roared, “I won’t be your queen for just one day / Got so much fucking fuel that you can't stop my fire!” on the Independent Music Award–winning Scott & Aimee song, “Miss America,” is now the woman who croons “I’m just like you, I bleed / Sometimes it hurts so bad that I can’t breathe” on Happiness’ “Lean Into Me.”


CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THE INTERVIEW AT VENUSZINE.COM

New York Times reports on 9th IMA Judge, Auturo O' Farill

"The Senate may not have confirmed Judge Sonia Sotomayor as the newest Supreme Court justice, but Symphony Space and Arturo O’Farrill, the jazz musician, seem confident. The performance space has joined with the Bronx Museum of the Arts and R. D. Rice Construction Inc. to commission a piece by Mr. O’Farrill to be performed by his Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra honoring Judge Sotomayor, a Bronx native, the orchestra’s publicist said in a release....."

Read the full New York Times article here.

9th Annual IMA Submission Spotlight: Davie Gayle

ARTIST NAME: Davie Gayle

HOMETOWN/CURRENTLY BASED: Menifee, California

WEB SITE: www.daviegayle.com

INFLUENCES: Emmylou Harris, Shelby Lynne, Lucinda Williams, Dolly Parton, Wanda Jackson, Hank Williams, my Dad.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Being featured in IMA's blog, having a few songs placed in indie films and tv, the 2009 release of my CD, Amber in the Clay!

I SUBMITTED TO THE INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS BECAUSE: IMA knows how important it is for an independent aritst, especialy a "micro" indie like me to get the word out.

9TH ANNUAL IMA JUDGE YOU''RE MOST EXCITED ABOUT: Whichever judge "Get's Me"... (shameless song plug) ;) There are so many great artist and industry judges!

I'M PROUD TO BE AN INDEPENDENT ARTIST BECAUSE: It's all about the craft. Of course you always hope your art is accepted well, but it's not the reason you do it.

WHAT'S NEXT (UPCOMING TOURS, ALBUMS. ETC): An acoustic project with my 3 siblings - together we're known as Sweet Alyssum and our CD "Sister Serenade" will be released later this year. I'm also working on a follow-up EP/CD to Amber in the Clay.

SUCCESS = Being able to do what you love to do, living a passionate life, and having a positive impact on others.

WHAT MAKES YOUR BAND STAND OUT: I call it "Yin & Yang with a Twang". I've always been an outsider when it comes to genres. I'm a Jersey girl raised on country music, rockin' in southern California.

WHERE DO YOU TOUR? Mostly play southern California, sometimes New Jersey, and would love to book UK and US tour in 2010!

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE VENUE TO PLAY AND WHY? An indie coffehouse called Flour Fusion in SoCal's inland empire. The owners are great people, and very supportive of independent artists. It's also the homebase of "Friday Night Writers", a monthly songwriter showcase that I host.

9th IMA Submission Spotlight: Kalu James

ARTIST NAME: Kalu James

HOMETOWN/CURRENTLY BASED: Austin, TX(Born & raised in Nigeria.

WEB SITE: www.kalujames.com

INFLUENCES: My Mama, People, The earth, Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, Tracy Chapman, Jeff Buckley, Bob Marley, Fela Kuti and Ben Harper.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
* Austin,Tx "Live Music Capital of the World", named a day(June 11th) as "Kalu James Day".. was so thrilling receiving a proclamation from the mayor & all.
* My Sophomore album "Dim The Lights" Selling out 30 minutes before the actual Cd Release show began, playing for a soldout room.
* Shooting and Premiering an Official Music Video for my song "Austin Bound" with the help of Lucky Rabbit Films(www.luckyrabbitfilms.com).. was so exciting & made me appreciate the art & hardwork of filmmakers even more.
* Being featured in Feb 2009 edition of Austin Monthly under "The Cusp/You outta know" section.
* Playing with my band and growing together.

I SUBMITTED TO THE INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS BECAUSE: It's all about independent music and helping hardworking artists that sometimes feel like they don't have that huge backbone. I'm from Nigeria; I moved to America when I was 19. My sound/voice might be different but I'm all about creating and sometimes it could be very different from "the norm" or what's expected, but I feel IMA is all about that, as long as its GOOD music. I'm excited for feedback from listeners.

9TH ANNUAL IMA JUDGE YOU ARE MOST EXCITED ABOUT: M. Ward (He was the Darling of SXSW '09 and living here in Austin, you couldn't escape his beautiful music.. he sings like he means it).

I'M PROUD TO BE AN INDEPENDENT ARTIST BECAUSE: It's unfiltered.. Just the way people need to hear it, straight from the soul to the platter.

WHAT'S NEXT: My Sophmore album, Dim The Lights, is available on iTunes, CD Baby and other Internet stores. I should be coming up with a live album during the fall that will tag with my fall tour from Austin through the East coast. And possibly another tour after that and another!

SUCCESS = Playing, living and connecting with people.

WHAT MAKES YOUR BAND STAND OUT: We believe in the essence of music.. no gimmicks.. and play it like we mean it. When you are connecting with people, that cannot be denied.

WHERE DO YOU TOUR? TX, NM, AR, CA, NY, TN and OH. I would love to tour Europe, Canada and Africa.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE VENUE TO PLAY AND WHY? I have two venues: Ruta Maya(Austin, TX). The array of people you meet here make your heart leap for joy. The sound here trumps everywhere I've every played & not necessarily because of its system, but the sound engineer, Kurt. He takes care of musicians, song by song.
Second is Momo's (Austin, TX). People come to listen, the venue is amazing, musicians are treated well by staff & management.

9th Annual IMA Submission Spotlight: Jana Mashonee

ARTIST NAME: Jana Mashonee

HOMETOWN/CURRENTLY BASED: New York area

WEB SITE: www.janamashonee.com, myspace.com/janamashonee, reverbnation.com/janamashonee

INFLUENCES: Stevie Wonder, Barbra Streisand, Cece Winans, Otis Redding, Alicia Keys, Annie Lennox, Toni Braxton

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Being Nominated for a GRAMMY, winning 7 NAMMYS (Native American Music Awards)

I SUBMITTED TO THE INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS BECAUSE... It give us independent folks a chance to shine and be recognized for real musical talents, not because of the politics that often ruin other award programs.

9TH ANNUAL IMA JUDGE YOU ARE MOST EXCITED ABOUT: Zooey Deschanel.

I'M PROUD TO BE AN INDEPENDENT ARTIST BECAUSE: I have the freedom to make the music I want.

WHAT'S NEXT: Promoting my album, New Moon Born and touring with my new killer band!

SUCCESS= Perseverance

WHAT MAKES YOUR BAND STAND OUT: Well, the band members are extremely talented first and foremost! I am blessed to have them! Also, I have two traditional Native American dancers that perform with the band and this blends the traditional and contemporary elements of my music which is really cool:)

WHERE DO YOU TOUR? All over the United States, including many Native reservations.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE VENUE TO PLAY AND WHY? I've played many times in the Albuquerque, NM area, and Isleta Casino has a great stage and acoustics. Plus the overall facilities are quite nice.

Submit Your Music Videos To The Independent Music Awards To Reach Millions Of Fans & Industry

The airwaves and Internet are cluttered with killer songs and great visuals, so how do artists get seen and heard above the noise? For the past 9 years independent artists and labels from around the world have found new fans and prominence through The Independent Music Awards.

Adding to a broad spectrum of awards in more than 50 music genre and design categories, The 9th IMA program will augment its established Music Video category with awards for Long Form Music Video to support achievements for presentations that feature more than one song.

Past IMA music video winners and nominees include both signed and unsigned artists including:
Val Emmich (“The Only One Lonely”), Leerone (“Care For Some Whiskey?”) from South Africa, The Parlotones, Barcelona’s The Pinker Tones (“Karma Hunters”), Skitchy (Tiny Little Freaks) from the UK, Korean artist, Jihae (“Black Pearl); inde label acts include Epitaph’s The Matches (“Yankee in a Chip Shop”) and Astonish Records’ No More Kings (“Sweep the Leg”).

9th IMA Submission Spotlight: Art of Fresh

ARTIST NAME: Art of Fresh

HOMETOWN/CURRENTLY BASED: Toronto, Ontario

WEB SITE: www.theartoffresh.com , myspace.com/artoffresh

INFLUENCES: Outkast, Black Eyed Peas, Raphael Sadiq, Tribe Called Quest

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Urb Next 1000 artist.

I SUBMITTED TO THE INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS BECAUSE: We stay on our independent hustle to the fullest!

9TH ANNUAL IMA JUDGE YOU'RE MOST EXCITED ABOUT: All of them!

I'M PROUD TO BE AN INDEPENDENT ARTIST BECAUSE: We have full control over our career.

WHAT'S NEXT: Western Canadian tour, D.O. solo album , Slakah solo album

SUCCESS = Controlling your own destiny.

WHAT MAKES YOUR BAND STAND OUT: Buttafat Boombap

WHERE DO YOU TOUR? Worldwide

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE VENUE TO PLAY AND WHY? Canmore, Alberta "The Drake" cause the fans go wild!

9th IMA Submission Spotlight: Midori and Audioclique

ARTIST NAME: Midori and Audioclique

HOMETOWN/CURRENTLY BASED: Santa Rosa, CA

WEB SITE: www.midorilongo.com and www.myspace.com/midorilongo

INFLUENCES: Led Zeplin, No Doubt, the Beatles, Joan Jett, and many, many more!

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:

Being nominated for 9 Effigy Awards on ABC Radio's FameGames, and winning Most Popular Artist for 2009

Making the top 20 ("Let Me Live" is currently #17 in the Top Songs) in the Indie Charts (www.indiecharts.com )

Coming in #1 in the Pop Charts for "Motionless" at Ourstage.com; Being nominated for 2 LA Music Awards and 1 Hollywood Music Award

Being selected to play Vans WARPED TOUR 2009 at the Shoreline Amphitheater

I SUBMITTED TO THE INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS BECAUSE... The IMAs are one of the most prestigious awards for independent artists, and being selected can give you so much exposure and open lots of doors.

9TH ANNUAL IMA JUDGE YOU'RE MOST EXCITED ABOUT: Zooey Deschanel! I LOVE her- she is unique, sooo hilarious, and extremely talented. It would be very cool for her to listen to our songs.


I'M PROUD TO BE AN INDEPENDENT ARTIST BECAUSE: We have the freedom to do whatever we want with our music, and to sound exactly the way WE want to sound. There are no confinements.

WHAT'S NEXT: Our next album is due to be released in early Fall 2009

SUCCESS = Having lots of fans who truly enjoy our music, and being able to play great sold-out shows.

WHAT MAKES YOUR BAND STAND OUT: We have a modern twist on classic rock with a young female lead singer.

WHERE DO YOU TOUR? Up and down the West Coast.

9th IMA Submission Spotlight: Phoenix Rising

ARTIST NAME: Phoenix Rising

HOMETOWN/CURRENTLY BASED: San Francisco, CA

WEB SITE: www.phoenixrisingmusic.net, www.myspace.com/bayareacontemporarymusic.com, www.copuscatalog.com

INFLUENCES: Stravinksy, Debussy, Chick Corea, Meredith Monk.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: In November 2008, Phoenix Rising attended the Hollywood Music Awards as nominees in the new age/ambient music category. The HMA is the only red carpet style event of its kind in the world that celebrates music in new visual mediums and gives equal attention to signed and unsigned artists.
In 2009 'Ascension' was nominated for Best Acoustic Album of the Year, and recognized by the Unisong International Song Competition. This year our album has been on the NAR charts for the last five months, and has received airplay radio and Music Choice Cable Music Programing (Reached #9 in March). Composer Wendy Loomis received ASCAplus award for composition for the past two years.

WE SUBMITTED TO THE INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS BECAUSE- It gives recognition to independent artists from around the world.

9TH ANNUAL IMA JUDGE YOU'RE MOST EXCITED ABOUT: Bettye LaVette

WE'RE PROUD TO BE INDEPENDENT ARTISTS BECAUSE: We are living in a time of stress and struggle. There is still hunger, hatred, and sickness in a world that is also filled with such beauty, generosity, and harmony. We are proud to be part of a community that creates music with positive vibrations of gratitude for this life.

WHAT'S NEXT: Los Angeles showcase at Live on Wilshire, July 28. WordxWord Festival with ensemble COPUS in Pittsfield, MA on Aug. 20-21.

We feel there will always be a need for powerful music, and therfore will continue producing CDs and performing. Our goal now is to perform in more concert and performing arts series around the world, incorporating more multimedia into our shows and also offering our talents to the world for film scoring. We both love the Ascension project and are so happy that our fans and new listeners are responding so positively to its hope and healing. We know when listeners put the record on, they’ll feel better and let the energy that’s there become a part of their spirits. Just as we named ourselves Phoenix Rising as an expression of rising above the personal challenges we have faced in our lives, Ascension is reflective of the new mood of America as we move into the next administration. Even if times are hard, we’re taking a creative stand and putting good things into the world.

SUCCESS = "Action is the foundational key to all success." ~Pablo Picasso

WHAT MAKES YOUR BAND STAND OUT: Despite the stereotypes that surround musical categories like New Age and Contemporary, we encapsulate a very broad range of styles and motivations indeed. Phoenix Rising brings a neo-classical, lyrical style that is both haunting and refreshing for its very defiance of stereotypes. One of our latest performances included instrumentation of piano, c flute, alto flute, diza, bansuri, mexican gourd drum, martial arts, and poetry.


WHERE DO YOU TOUR? San Francisco, LA, New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Austin, and upcoming Boston in August - anywhere that appreciates our music!

WHATS YOUR FAVORITE VENUE TO PLAY AND WHY? Some of the best performances have been in intimate venues, where we get a chance to interact with our audiences. Some of the highlights have been Don Quixote's International Music Hall and the World Flute Festival at Chapel of the Chimes.

IMA Judge Bettye LaVette Releases New Album

9th Annual IMA Judge Bettye LaVette has released a 6-song digital EP, A Change is Gonna Come Sessions, on iTunes.


Having conquered the ghosts of a hard-luck past on her GRAMMY-nominated CD The Scene of the Crime, BETTYE LAVETTE shines a new light on that past with her latest, A CHANGE IS GONNA COME SESSIONS. The digital-only EP for Anti- Records, available exclusively through iTunes starting June 16, revisits BETTYE's forgotten post-Atlantic Records years as a nightclub singer, Broadway performer, and touring cast member opposite Cab Calloway in "Bubbling Brown Sugar."

The EP opens with a stirring solo version of Sam Cooke's posthumous Civil Rights anthem "A Change Is Gonna Come," a song which BETTYE sang with Jon Bon Jovi in January as part of the "We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial" concert. Joining BETTYE for these Sessions are pianist and musical director Al Hill, veteran bassist John Heard – who has accompanied such luminaries as Count Basie, Cole Porter, Ella Fitzgerald, and Art Pepper – drummer Danny Frankel (k.d. lang, Lou Reed), and Tom Hagerman from DeVotchKa on strings.

Click here to get the tunes.

And watch Bettye perform on Craig Ferguson below!

IMA Judge Dennis Diken of The Smithereens On Ringo Starr in USA Today

Read and comment on the article here.

New Music Seminar is back!

It’s Back!

The legendary New Music Seminar

re-launches in New York City

Music Resource Group – publisher of The Musician’s Atlas & creators of
The Independent Music Awards is proud to sponsor this low-cost /hi-value event that is sure to deliver a fresh look at the new music industry.




Get Details & check out NMS diva-in-the-making footage of Madonna speaking about new music and the importance of music videos circa 1984…

9th Annual IMA Submission Spotlight: Flutterbies

ARTIST NAME: The Flutterbies (Featuring Maureen Davis)

HOMETOWN/CURRENTLY BASED: Hollywood, CA

WEB SITE: www.theflutterbies.com

INFLUENCES: Bonnie Raitt, Julie & Buddy Miller, Ryan Adams, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Ava Gardner

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Touring w/Michelle Shocked, Carnegie Hall & World Tour w/Gary Burton, Broadway w/ Bernadette Peters, Jamming w/Simon Petty, Teaching Rock & Roll to kids at Rock Nation.

I SUBMITTED TO THE INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS BECAUSE: The yearlong print, online & broadcast promotions plus distribution & performance opportunities including an IMA showcase at the CMJ Music Marathon.

9TH ANNUAL IMA JUDGE YOU ARE MOST EXCITED ABOUT: Aimee Mann, The Black Keys, Kevin Lyman.

I'M PROUD TO BE AN INDEPENDENT ARTIST BECAUSE: I get to mirror life through music, not just work for hire or write what someone else wants me to

WHAT'S NEXT: Music Video of "How I Get Over You" featuring Mindy Sterling! (Frau Farbissina in "Austin Powers" -- Dr. Evil's Girlfriend); more pinup photo shoots; mini-tour in Arizona.

SUCCESS = Doing what makes you happy. Go everywhere, be anyone, do anything. Having a "hummingbird heart" -- a heart as big as your own body.

WHAT MAKES YOUR BAND STAND OUT: Unlikely marriage of sexy vocals and vulnerable lyrics; Bart Ryan's raging guitars; Adam Daniel's unpredictable chord changes that make us ALT country; music+art+fashion+passion.

WHERE DO YOU TOUR? California, Arizona, original hometown Toledo, OH, Detroit/Ann Arbor, MI.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE VENUE TO PLAY AND WHY? Currently Renee's in Santa Monica -- all-star jam with Simon Petty (Minibar & Solomon's Seal) -- Ultimate freedom.....we spend so much time on the BUSINESS of music, that you need somewhere to find your JOY again. LOVE O'brien's Pub on Main too. Again -- it's about PLAYING music -- not just performing. you gotta PLAY.... Finally -- totally dig The Mint & Dakota -- great sound and sound guys.

9th Annual IMA Submission Spotlight: Cooper Boone

ARTIST NAME: Cooper Boone

HOMETOWN/CURRENTLY BASED: New York City and Nashville

WEB SITE: www.CooperBoone.com, www.MySpace.com/CooperBooneMusic

INFLUENCES: The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Dolly Parton and Sting.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Best Country Artist 2008, Hollywood Music Awards MusikFest 2009, Mohegan Sun 2009, Opening for Trace Adkins and Craig Morgan 2008.

I SUBMITTED TO THE INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS BECAUSE: Because I AM JUST THAT..an INDIE MUSICIAN and I LIKE IT THAT WAY!

9TH ANNUAL IMA JUDGE YOU'RE MOST EXCITED ABOUT: Shelby Lynne

I'M PROUD TO BE AN INDEPENDENT ARTIST BECAUSE:
It's all about taking control of your career and being an entrepreneur...where music can truly meet art without being compromised.

WHAT'S NEXT: New album launch at JOE'S PUB in NYC on August 3rd...WHA HOO!

SUCCESS =Passion

WHAT MAKES YOUR MUSIC STAND OUT: Tight, great harmonies and we clean up real good!

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE VENUE TO PLAY AND WHY?
WILD HORSE SALOON in NASHVILLE, TN. It's gotta great vibe, great sound system and amazing players have played on that stage.

9th IMA Submission Spotlight: Mog

ARTIST NAME: Mog (aka Daniel Maguire)

HOMETOWN/CURRENTLY BASED:Canberra, Australia (permanently) and Wellington, New Zealand (temporarily).

WEB SITE:www.myspace.com/mogdaniel

INFLUENCES:Everything. But particularly Pop hooks and simplicity, Punk energy, Folk storytelling and lushness, Alternative guitars and originality, Low-fi warmth, and the odd Rock anthem.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
• receiving national radio airplay
• the reaction to my new album, Nine
• working with one of Australia’s top producers, Stuart Stuart of Chartsong Productions
• whenever audience members sing along to the words of your songs

I SUBMITTED TO THE INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS BECAUSE: I thought the IMA could help increase my exposure in the independent music industry and to music lovers generally. The prizes are very appealing because they could open doors to new and exciting opportunities.

9TH ANNUAL IMA JUDGE YOU’RE MOST EXCITED ABOUT: For sentimental reasons, Suzanne Vega - her irresistibly catchy songs form part of the soundtrack to my early childhood memories. For effortless cool and intelligent songwriting, it’s Aimee Mann.

I’M PROUD TO BE AN INDEPENDENT ARTIST BECAUSE: You can’t beat the creative and business freedom of doing things on your own terms, and the satisfaction that this brings. It also affords you a certain credibility and integrity, though sadly not a sizeable bank balance. But perhaps above all, it’s the preservation, cultivation and evolution of self-identity.

WHAT’S NEXT (UPCOMING TOURS, ALBUMS. ETC: My new album will be/was released on iTunes in July 09, followed by a few gigs in NZ and then back home in Australia to promote it. At the same time, I’ll launch a promotional campaign to independent Australian radio stations. I’m also embarking on a US licensing/publishing push to hopefully secure some media placements. And last but not least, I’m already busily writing new material for my next album, sometime in ‘10and am very excited about the results it will yield.

SUCCESS = Artistic satisfaction + loyal fans + industry recognition

WHAT MAKES YOUR BAND STAND OUT: It's non-existence and unlimited potential. These days I usually perform as a solo artist and couldn’t be happier, although I’ve a network of talented and like-minded musicians with whom I sometimes play. As for me, I stand out from the crowd by my ‘melody is king’ mantra.

WHERE DO YOU TOUR? East coast of Australia and occasionally pockets of New Zealand.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE VENUE TO PLAY AND WHY? The Pot Belly, Canberra Australia, because it’s intimate, friendly and unpretentious. They’ve also supported local musicians for as long as I can remember. I would add, though, that the shower still rates highly.