9th Annual IMA Submission Spotlight:The Karl Walters Jr Trio

ARTIST NAME: The Karl Walters Jr Trio

HOMETOWN/CURRENTLY BASED: Brooklyn, NY

WEB SITE: www.kwjtrio.com

INFLUENCES: Kneebody, Mile Davis, Jaga Jazzist, the AACM

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
US Tour Winter 2007
Debut CD release Fall 2008
"Can We Go Back Where We Began?" called "fearless and fascinating" by JazzReview.com Winter 2009

WE SUBMITTED TO THE INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS BECAUSE... The power of independent music stems not from and individual artist, but in our collective ability to show the world what music can be when the artist themselves are in control.

9TH ANNUAL IMA JUDGE WE'RE MOST EXCITED ABOUT: Vijay Iyer

I'M PROUD TO BE AN INDEPENDENT ARTIST BECAUSE:
I get to make my music my way, there's no one pulling strings and moving money above me that can tell me to go at things a different way.

WHAT'S NEXT:
CD Feature in the summer issue of Progression Magazine.
Mini-tour featuring out showcase at the Midpoint Music Festival in September 2009 EP featuring Shane Endsley (Kneebody) and J. Granelli (Mr. Lucky) due out Winter 09/10.


WHAT MAKES YOUR BAND STAND OUT: We are a trio led by a trombone player, for one. An ever present desire to do something bigger and better, for another.

WHERE DO YOU TOUR?
Mainly in the North East and Midwest, but we're expanding and are looking forward to making a tour out west next Spring.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE VENUE TO PLAY AND WHY?
Our home field would have to me Freddy's Backroom in Brooklyn, we played our first show there and have been going back regularly ever since. It's a really relaxed vibe and it's great as an independent group to work with independent venues!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

These Artists Have Submitted to the 9th Annual IMAs... Have You?

The 9th Annual Independent Music Awards submission process is underway!

The awards program for independent artists & fans is being flooded with digital & snail mail submissions from around the globe. So tune in every day with ears wide open to discover some of the best independent music before it’s even bundled off to the judges! And if you haven’t submitted YOUR music/video/merch/photography then let this be your subtle reminder – don’t miss the opportunity to have your work be promoted to more than 20 million music fans – deadline is August 21, 2009.





ARTIST: Katy Roberts Quartet, Quintet or Sextet

HOMETOWN: Paris, France

CATEGORY/GENRE SUBMITTED: Jazz

ABOUT: Roberts is a part-time professor at the Bill Evans Piano Academy in Paris. She has performed with such greats as Oliver Johnson, George Brown, John Betsch, Salim Washington, Kurtis Rivers, Rasul Siddik, Sonny Simmons, Ricky Ford, Pascale Quatela, Manda Djinn and Sylvia Howard.





BAND: Dirty Little Mouth

HOMETOWN: Texas

CATEGORY/GENRE SUBMITTED: Pop/Rock

WATCH:






Artist: Arlette

HOMETOWN: Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada
CATEGORY/GENRE SUBMITTED: Sing Out for Social Action

ABOUT: Arlette Is Metis is a descendant of the Blackfoot people (mother’s side) and the Little Black Bear Cree (father’s side). She has two years of Royal Conservatory Vocal training under her belt. She has performed at notable events including the Flatland Music Festival, Ness Creek Folk Festival, Regina’s Aboriginal Music Festival and Centre for the Arts, the 2005 National Aboriginal Day at the Vancouver Art Gallery, the Union of BC Indian Chiefs AGA and the Ucluelet Healing and Wellness Music Festival.

Look Who Has Submitted to the 9th Annual IMAs:

And so it begins....

The 9th Annual Independent Music Awards submission process is underway!

The awards program for independent artists & fans is being flooded with digital & snail mail submissions from around the globe. So tune in every day with ears wide open to discover some of the best independent music before it’s even bundled off to the judges! And if you haven’t submitted YOUR music/video/merch/photography then let this be your subtle reminder – don’t miss the opportunity to have your work be promoted to more than 20 million music fans – deadline is August 21, 2009.




BAND: Firkin

HOMETOWN: Budapest, Hungry

CATEGORY/GENRE SUBMITTED: Punk

ABOUT: Firkin's debut will be released through Universal Music Group.Listen if you like The Pogues, Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly.

WATCH:






BAND: The Woodlands

HOMETOWN: Portland, Oregon

CATEGORY/GENRE SUBMITTED: Love Song

ABOUT: The Woodlands is a wife and husband indie folk-pop duo, who craft songs of lyrical poetry, lush melody and intelligent simplicity.

PROPS: "I dig your music."- Chris Funk, The Decemberists

WATCH:






BAND: The Bees Knees

HOMETOWN: Toronto, Ontario

CATEGORY/GENRE SUBMITTED: Children's Music

ABOUT:

Andie Duncan(Actra, AFM)'s musical career began around 1986, when the the band she fronted- Everest- won the Q107 Homegrown Contest. It lead to the release of her first single on MCA records, mixed by Getty Lee of Rush. She has since performed as a solo artist at Lilith Fair and shared the stage with k.d. Lang, Holly Cole, Jann Arden, Paula Cole and Joe Cocker.

Cyndi Duncan-Lumsden, the co-writer and principal lyricist for Bees Knees has over 20 years experience as a primary school teacher in downtown Toronto. “Musical connections across the curriculum are essential to me as a teacher. Kids like songs with great rhythms, catchy melodies and fun lyrics and they need on-going opportunities to sing and move to music using imagination and creativity in their own way,” she says.

PROPS: The ladies' music has been called "Cheery, High-Octane Tunes!" by Today's Parent Magazine.