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.

9th IMA Submission Spotlight: Tyrone Payne

ARTIST NAME: Tyrone Payne

HOMETOWN/CURRENTLY BASED IN: The Bay Area of California

WEB SITE: www.myspace.com/afterthepartyvol1 and soon to be www.afterthepartyworldwide.com

INFLUENCES: Curtis Mayfield, James Brown, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, R Kelly, Sly Stone, Sam Cooke, Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong, Aaron Neville, Donnie Hathaway, Terrence Trent D'arby, Smoky Robinson, Bob Marley

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: I'm just starting out but the first time I heard my record on the radio was priceless.

I SUBMITTED TO THE INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS BECAUSE... The Awards are like the Grammy's for independent musicians, the seal of approval for hard work and preserverance. Thank you for this opportunity.

9TH ANNUAL IMA JUDGE YOU'RE MOST EXCITED ABOUT: Bettye Lavette, because she's absolutely timeless, of course.

I'M PROUD TO BE AN INDEPENDENT ARTIST BECAUSE: First: Independence allows one to truly speak what you feel at the moment, without restrictions, to your audience. Second: it builds character knowing that without the support of a major label your determination, and ability to persevere are the keys to success. Third: the changing technology has made it possible to reach people directly in ways that never existed before and will forever change the way this business of music is conducted, hopefully allowing for more creativity and freedom for all artists involved in making music, and further democratizing the tools of both recording and distribution for everyone to utilize and share their unique gifts. This is an incredibly exciting time in the music industry and it's a blessing to live and work today!

WHAT'S NEXT (UPCOMING TOURS, ALBUMS. ETC): I'm releasing a limited edition double album, it should be available on-line in the next week and hopefully on the major net retailers, including iTunes before the end of July 09.

SUCCESS = It's two fold for me. I have a set of 12 albums that I want to finish in the next year and a half. Four are already in the can, and I'm beginning to work on another two next month. Obviously, there's a statement through this body of work that I'd like to make, and I guess that I'm compelled to make for myself and my community. Success also for me also comes down to is the audience listening. I mean, have I touched someone enough for them to take away something from the music? The performance? So that's it for now. I'm sure as I grow and the world changes, success will take on entirely different meanings, as well.

WHAT MAKES YOUR MUSIC STAND OUT: The music and the performance of it. I think also the messages laced within the music connect with people, as well.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE VENUE TO PLAY AND WHY? The quality of the venue's sound and the audience are what makes gigs stand out for me. I loved playing the DNA Lounge in San Francisco a few years back and also The Catalyst in Santa Cruz because of these two things. As a future venue to play, well I think it's been every Soul artists dream to play the Apollo Theater.

9th IMA Submission Spotlight: Lanny Sherwin

ARTIST NAME: Lanny Sherwin

HOMETOWN/CURRENTLY BASED: Santa Barbara, CA

WEB SITE: www.SandmanRecords.com

INFLUENCES: Beatles, Eagles, James Taylor, Chuck Berry, Carpenters, Manhattan Transfer, Hendrix, Motown.


CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Receiving 35 music awards. Founding a hospital Concert Series at Santa Barbara's Cottage Hospital. Initiating a Songwriting Residency at regional public elementary school. Having my songs played at 35,000 feet on Continental Airline's inflight playlist for kids.


I SUBMITTED TO THE INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS BECAUSE... You have a Children's category. You provide great promotional opportunities.


9TH ANNUAL IMA JUDGE YOU'RE MOST EXCITED ABOUT: Keith Urban - we shared the same trainer in Nashville and he has a baby - kids music is my specialty!!

I'M PROUD TO BE AN INDEPENDENT ARTIST BECAUSE: I banged my head against the establishment wall in Nashville for 10, pretty much going nowhere fast. When I started my indie label, Sandman Records for kids, doors started opening left & right: national distribution, retail & online sales, 35 music awards.

WHAT'S NEXT (UPCOMING TOURS, ALBUMS. ETC): Writing songs for new CD; partnering with non-music, Children's-related products to bundle my CDs; hosting a Lullaby Writing Contest; marketing, marketing, marketing!

SUCCESS = The ability to20be a creative person who writes great songs combined with the ability to have a business-like approach to publicity & marketing. Right brain/left brain taking turns being fabulous!


WHAT MAKES YOUR MUSIC STAND OUT: I don't perform all that much, but when I do, it's to 5-12 year olds (who think I'm a rock star because I have a guitar) and their parents (who like my humor and positive lyrics).

9th IMA Submission Spotlight: The Murder Mouse Blues Band

ARTIST NAME: The Murder Mouse Blues Band

HOMETOWN/CURRENTLY BASED: Perth Western Australia

WEB SITE: www.murdermousebluesband.com

INFLUENCES: Pogues, Johnny Cash, Ani Difranco, Son House, Mick Thomas, Joni Mitchell, Weddings Parties Anything, Nina Simone, Leonard Cohen

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Charted as the number one Roots act in Australia by Triple J Radio (Triple J is the national music station for independent and signed acts in Australia) http://www.triplejunearthed.com/Charts/Default.aspx?genre=Roots

WE SUBMITTED TO THE INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS BECAUSE: We are looking to expand our audience overseas and are interested in more touring.

9TH ANNUAL IMA JUDGE WE'RE MOST EXCITED ABOUT: Anyone that gets mentioned in a deleted scene from Pulp Fiction has my vote, so it has to go to Suzanne Vega, a close second would be Celina Denkins (talent buyer, Whiskey a Go Go)

I'M PROUD TO BE AN INDEPENDENT ARTIST BECAUSE: Our music Our way.

WHAT'S NEXT (UPCOMING TOURS, ALBUMS. ETC): Debut album, Fill the Hole, will be released within the coming two weeks featuring the awesome track "Apocalypse Blues."

SUCCESS = Playing live shows to live people.

WHAT MAKES YOUR BAND STAND OUT: We're the kind of band Hemingway would have liked, and no-one else in the world does nuclear pirate blues.

WHERE DO YOU TOUR? We are looking to tour to Canada and North America in early 2010 followed by a short four week stint in France/Holland and Germany in the later part of the year. We will be traveling up through the interior of Western Australia on a desert tour at the end of this year. In short we tour anywhere we;re welcome, from Cambodia to Belfast and anywhere in between.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE VENUE TO PLAY AND WHY? The WA Blues Club here in Perth has to be a favourite of any band. Always a full house, a near 20 year history and everyone in the room is there for the music, so you can't beat that. Having said that, it was still hard to top playing in a country pub in Co Cork in Ireland in the tiny town of Grenagh.

9th IMA Submission Spotlight: Nive Nielsen

ARTIST NAME: Nive Nielsen & Deer Children

HOMETOWN/CURRENTLY BASED: Nuuk, Greenland

WEB SITE: www.myspace.com/nivenielsen

INFLUENCES: Giant Sand, Cat Power, Tom Waits, Arthur Russell, The Clean, dusty old 78s folk records, Cardinal, Neko Case, M. Ward, PJ Harvey...

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
*Just played for the Queen of Denmark - that was exciting (and very very weird, grin).
*National Independence Day in Greenland (we just became self-governing!) where I was the main act - totally thrilling!
*Recording with my heroes (almost all of 'em!! Howe Gelb, John Parish, Ralph Carney, people from Godspeed You!, Black Emperor, Cardinal, Black Keys, Tom Waits' band... so so wicked!)
*Selling out my debut record in my home town in exactly half a day.
*Having my songs featured in indie films and documentaries
*... hihi I *only* have career highlights :)

I SUBMITTED TO THE INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS BECAUSE:
...many reasons really. Greenland's really really far away from everything else, music wise - and I am pretty curious to see how what I 'm doing would be received. Also, I need input, feedback and what not. Since I'm totally new to all this music stuff (I tend to just sit and make songs, not to try and make people listen to them -haven't really figured that part out just yet), I wanted to see if through submitting some songs to the IMA I could maybe get in touch with people in the big wide world who might be interested in collaborating or something. Yup yup...

9TH ANNUAL IMA JUDGE YOU'RE MOST EXCITED ABOUT:
Pretty much everybody, really. But especially:
* Zooey Deschannel and M. Ward (I love his work, and hers too!!)
* Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney (they rock!!)
* Suzanne Vega (I listened to her a lot when I was little)


IM PROUD TO BE AN INDEPENDENT ARTIST BECAUSE:
It takes a lot of effort and determination. Being from such a remote place as Greenland doesn't help. (There's no roads between towns - you can take a plane or helicopter, which is crazy expensive so very few people can afford it. There's no CD stores, no underground scene, no musician or artist-run venues. Internet's so slow that up until recently, it took forever to download just 1 song. Very, very few foreign musicians ever come to play. Basically, Greenland's absolutely amazing and I love it so so so much but if you wanna be an independent musician it takes a lot) Anyways, I got to travel, learn, listen, meet awesome people - and got to make the record I wanted to, piece by piece, with a lot of help from people I look up to, with a lot of encouragement along the way. I'm doing precisely what I 've been dreaming of doing! I make the songs I want to make, make 'em sound the way I want them to sound, make the artwork, the videos, play when I want, do the promo myself... and I have fun along the way, too - so yup I'm pretty proud.

WHAT'S NEXT (UPCOMING TOURS, ALBUMS. ETC):
* Just finished mastering my debut, Nive Sings. I'm really excited about the result. There's a few songs on iTunes as preview and I released the record on my own label back home in Greenland. Now, I'm gonna have to look at how to get other people to hear it. There's going to be a limited 7" run, too, and I 'm recording some new songs for a soundtrack I'm scoring.
* I will play a couple of nice concerts in the UK this summer, some festivals, a short tour in Quebec & Ontario, and a bigger Scandinavian tour in late fall.

SUCCESS = Having fun!

WHAT MAKES YOU STAND OUT: Well, I guess there's not many little red ukulele-wielding Inuit girls singing about coffee and ghosts and bugs and ghost bugs out there, right? That, and the fact that I'm an indie musician from the north pole who just managed to make a real cool album with a lot of amazing musicians on it, with no financial help whatsoever. I'm real proud of that.

WHERE DO YOU TOUR?
Anywhere I 'm invited! I 've been playing in the US, Canada, and Europe, mainly solo or duo -until a couple months ago when my band was ready to go out there - so now we do that and it's just so much fun!

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE VENUE TO PLAY AND WHY?
*Katuaq, in Greenland. I 've hosted TV shows there (I used to make culture programs for tv up here), saw a lot of gigs there, met my best friend there and then I got to play there, too!
*I also liked the series of living room concerts in Europe I did last summer - so many nice people in so many wonderful houses with so many excellent sofas.
*This summer, I'm gonna play in Union Chapel in London and that's a venue I'm in awe with, so that's gonna be fun, too I reckon.