Posted in News by A2IM

A2IM’s annual Board of Directors election opens for voting on Wednesday, May 1^st.  A2IM’s board is elected by a vote of the A2IM label membership with every label member’s primary contact for A2IM possessing the right to vote on behalf of her or his company.  Once again our voting members have an exciting (and large) list of member executives who have stepped up or accepted nomination to run for election to the A2IM board of directors. A2IM’s voting members will be voting to fill four (4) seats from the below list of candidates (alphabetical by first name). Voting closes on Friday, May 24.

The nominees are:

-Alan Galbraith (Wind-up Records)

-Cory Robbins (Robbins Entertainment)

-Damon Sgobbo (Allegro Media Group)

-Denny Stilwell (Mack Avenue Records)

-EJ Johantgen (Prosthetic Records)

-Fabio Acosta (Akela Family Music)

-Glen Barros (Concord Music Group)

-Jamar Chess (Sunflower Entertainment)

-Jeff Waye (Ninja Tune Records)

-Jim Selby (Naxos)

-Josh Norek (Nacional Records)

-Jurgen Korduletsch (Radikal Records/Gummybear International)

-Linda Lucchesi (Simply Grand Music)

-Louis Posen (Hopeless Records)

-Matt Lunsford (Polyvinyl Records)

-Portia Sabin (Kill Rock Stars)

-Richard Burgess (Smithsonian Folkways)

-Robert Williams (335 Records)

-Tim Lee (Tummy Touch Records)

-Todd McCarty (Fearless Records)

A2IM expresses our gratitude to the three board members who, due to term limits, must step down at the end of this term:  Eric Brown (Sub Pop), Dave Hansen (Epitaph) and Tom Silverman (Tommy Boy).  We also thank Jim Selby (Naxos) who will appear on this year’s ballot as an incumbent seeking re-election.  Jim is eligible to run without sitting out a year because he didn’t serve a full 3 year term.  We thank each of these board members for their leadership and commitment to this organization and to the A2IM membership. We look forward to ongoing contributions from each.

Posted in News by A2IM

Alabama Shakes, M83, The Lumineers Top Artist Nominees for 2nd Annual A2IM LIBBY Awards
ATO Records & Dualtone Music Group Earn Most Label Nominations

A2IM today announces the nominees for the 2nd Annual Libera Awards (The “LIBBYs”), to be held Thursday, June 20 at NYC’s Highline Ballroom, closing out A2IM’s 8th annual Indie Week. The LIBBYs, co-presented by Caroline, celebrate the continually expanding successes of Independent labels and artists – and the services that support them – and are voted on solely by members of the Independent community.

Eligible releases (March 1, 2012 – February 28, 2013) were narrowed down to six nominees per category (or more in the case of a tie) by expert panels including the most knowledgeable tastemakers, programmers, and professional supporters of Independent music. As in the inaugural LIBBYs, which counted Arcade Fire, Glassnote Records, and Daptone among its winners, this year’s nominees exemplify both the diversity of the Independent label community in terms of label sizes, geographic locations, and genres of music they release, as well as the critical and commercial success of Independent labels investing in the creation of music by the artists they love.

2013 Libera Award Nominees:

Independent Album of the Year (sponsored by Spotify)
• ‘Boys & Girls’ – Alabama Shakes (ATO Records)
• ‘Allah-Las’ – Allah-Las (Innovative Leisure)
• ‘Bloom’ – Beach House (Sub Pop)
• ‘Shields’ – Grizzly Bear (Warp Records)
• ‘Celebration Rock’ – Japandroids (Polyvinyl Records)
• ‘The Heist’ – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (Macklemore)
• ‘Babel’ – Mumford & Sons (Glassnote Records)
• ‘RED (Deluxe Edition)’ – Taylor Swift (Big Machine Records)
• ‘The Lumineers’ – The Lumineers (Dualtone Music Group)
• ‘Coexist’ – The xx (XL Recordings/Young Turks)

Listen to the Spotify Album of the Year Playlist

Independent Label of the Year Award – 5 employees or less worldwide (sponsored by The Orchard)
• Bar/None Records
• Daptone Records
• Dualtone Music Group
• Frenchkiss Records
• Ghostly International
• Kill Rock Stars
• Third Man Records

Independent Label of the Year Award – 6 employees or more worldwide (sponsored by ADA)
• Anti Records
• ATO Records
• Big Machine Records
• Concord Music Group
• Glassnote Records
• Hopeless Records
• Sub Pop
• XL Recordings

Up and Comer Award (sponsored by eMusic) – celebrating the next Independent label superstar artist; to qualify artist must have total career sales not exceeding 5000 full length albums or 25,000 tracks (combined) as of Feb. 17, 2013
• Air Dubai (Hopeless Records)
• BOY (Nettwerk)
• LEOGUN (Yamaha Entertainment Group)
• Mikal Cronin (Merge Records)
• MNDR (Ultra Music)
• The Virginmarys (Wind-up Records)

Video of the Year
• “Hold On” – Alabama Shakes (ATO Records)
• “For Baltimore” – All Time Low (Hopeless Records)
• “Dirty Money” – Antibalas (Daptone Records)
• “Kill Your Heroes” – AWOLNATION (Red Bull Records)
• “My Love Is Real” – Divine Fits (Merge Records)
• “Wait” – M83 (Mute)
• “Thrift Shop” – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (Macklemore)

Best Sync Usage (sponsored by Getty Images Music) – for the most creative or most impactful use of Independent music in a film/TV/ad campaign
• “Ebb Away” – …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead (Century Media/Superball) in Fox Surf by Tim Scanlin
• “Always Alright” – Alabama Shakes (ATO Records) in Silver Linings Playbook by Susan Jacobs
• “Sail” – AWOLNATION (Red Bull Records) in BMW – Feeling Remains campaign (Olympics premiere) by Kirshenbaum Bond Senecal + Partners
• “Can’t Win ‘Em All” – Hanni El Khatib (Innovative Leisure) in Audi (Super Bowl Commercial) by Agoraphone
• “Outro” – M83 (Mute/Caroline) in Red Bull “Gives You Wings” commercial by Tonya Puerto/EMI & Red Bull
• “Speaking Japanese” – Shiny Toy Guns (Five Seven Music) in Virgin America ‘Game Changer’ ad campaign
• “Ho Hey” – The Lumineers (Dualtone Music Group) in Bing by Susan Schwartz

Music Supervisor of the Year (sponsored by Silva Screen Music Group) – for the music supervisor/licensing person who was especially supportive of Independent music labels
• Alexandra Patsavas (Chop Shop Music)
• Frankie Pine (Whirly Girl Music)
• Nora Felder (Picture Tunes)
• Randall Poster (Search Party Music/Posterboy Inc.)
• Susan Schwartz (Platinum Rye)
• Thomas Golubic (SuperMusicVision)

Light Bulb Award – celebrating the most innovative/creative marketing campaign by an Independent label or artist
• Alabama Shakes – album release campaign (ATO Records)
• Bear in Heaven – slowed-down album stream (Dead Oceans/Hometapes)
• Mumford & Sons – ‘Stopover’ tour (Glassnote Records)
• M83 – sustained album campaign (Mute)
• Brian Eno – ‘LUX’ listening events (Warp Records)
• Yep Roc – Yep Roc 15 Festival (Yep Roc Records)

Hardest Working Artist of the Year (sponsored by Believe Digital) – celebrating the Independent label band/artist that worked hardest at their job or was the most instrumental in promoting their music
• Allen Stone (ATO Records)
• Bob Mould (Merge Records)
• Brother Ali (Rhymesayers Entertainment)
• Grimes (4AD)
• Jukebox the Ghost (Yep Roc Records)
• Taylor Swift (Big Machine Records)
• The Lumineers (Dualtone Music Group)

Best Live Act of the Year – celebrating the Independent label band/artist that had the best live act
• Alabama Shakes (ATO Records)
• AWOLNATION (Red Bull Records)
• Bloc Party (Frenchkiss Records)
• Delta Spirit (Rounder)
• Hatebreed (Razor & Tie)
• M83 (Mute)
• Matt and Kim (FADER Label)
• Ra Ra Riot (Barsuk)

Creative Packaging Award (sponsored by A to Z Media) – celebrating the best or most creative packaging – including bundled packages, premium offerings, or artwork/design packaging – from an Independent label or artist in the last 12 months
• “Charmer” – Aimee Mann (SuperEgo Records) by Gail Marowitz & Aimee Mann
• “II” – Bad Books (Triple Crown Records) by Brian Manley & Chris Freeman
• “Until the Quiet Comes” – Flying Lotus (Warp Records) by Stephen Serrato with B+
• “12 Bit Blues” – Kid Koala (Ninja Tune) by Eric San
• “The Disintegration Loops” – William Basinski (Temporary Residence Ltd.) by Jeremy deVine
• “Woody at 100: The Woody Guthrie Centennial Collection” – Woody Guthrie (Smithsonian Folkways) by Fritz Klaetke

21st Century Award – celebrating the service provider or platform that was most beneficial to Independent labels and artists
• Bandzoogle
• Pandora
• PledgeMusic
• Rdio
• Spotify
• YouTube

Jon Salter, GM at ATO Records summed up the expression of pride that the LIBBY Awards are about when he accepted the nominations for his label and artists saying, “To see Indie records topping the charts and competing on a level playing field is incredibly fulfilling and rewarding for ATO and our artists. It’s been incredibly vibrant this year at ATO, and we feel lucky to have achieved such phenomenal results in a really tough climate. Being recognized by A2IM for the LIBBY nominations is an honor, especially during this extraordinary time for the Independent music sector.”

Dualtone’s Paul Roper, upon learning of the LIBBY nominations for The Lumineers and Dualtone Music Group said, “It’s a great honor to be recognized by our Independent community with these nominations. As evidenced by the recent GRAMMY Awards and reports on market share, Indies are thriving now more than ever. We are extremely proud to have been able to contribute to that story.”

“It is an honor and a privilege to be nominated for the A2IM Light Bulb Award on behalf of all the great Yep Roc Artists who made having the festival possible in the first place,” said Billy Maupin, General Manager of Yep Roc Records. “And knowing that the nominations come from our peers in the Independent music community makes it that much more special and meaningful.”

Hopeless Records said of their three nominations, “What great news! We here at Hopeless Records are big supporters of A2IM and it is an honor to be nominated for Best Label, Video of the Year (All Time Low) and Up & Comer (Air Dubai). Vote for us!”

Hardest Working Artist nominee Jukebox The Ghost (Yep Roc Records) expressed their appreciation (from the road, of course), “Thanks to everyone who nominated us for this. We have met countless hardworking and talented artists, bands, promoters, and labels through years of doing this, so it feels quite special to be recognized among such a passionate community.”

“We at Pandora are particularly proud to receive this nomination,” echoed Tim Westergren, Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Pandora. “Since its inception, Pandora has been singularly focused on helping artists connect with their audiences. Personalized radio is a phenomenal resource for Independent musicians, drawing on a huge breadth of catalogue without regard to popularity. In a given month, Pandora plays the music of well over 100,000 artists, the vast majority of whom have never before been played on radio.”

And Daniel Glass, CEO of Glassnote Records, who has spent the better part of the last year seeing his vision and the passion and efforts of his artists and team being acknowledged from music fans, GRAMMY voters, and across the industry affirmed his Independent pride in accepting his three nominations exclaiming, “Huge! Thank you. We are so proud.”

In addition to the above twelve categories, a Lifetime Achievement Award will be announced shortly; voting on all awards will be open to A2IM voting members from April 25 to May 19.

Additionally, the A2IM Libera Award for “Up & Comer Artist presented by eMusic” will be determined by an eMusic member vote, giving music fans the opportunity to choose the next breakthrough Independent artist.

A2IM thanks Caroline, ADA, A to Z Media, Bandzoogle, Believe Digital, eMusic, Getty Images Music, Silva Screen Music Group, Spotify, and The Orchard for their sponsorship of the 2013 Libera Awards.

The 2nd Annual Libera Awards conclude A2IM’s 8th Anniversary Indie Week (June 18-20 in NYC), which will bring together more than 500 executives from around the globe for three days of interactive panels, think tanks, and one-on-one discussions on maximizing the global impact of Independent music.

Posted in News, Press Releases by A2IM

Independent label Grammy successes continued with 36 wins at the 55^th Grammy Awards including Album of the Year and Best Album wins in 18 categories. Mumford & Sons’ win for Album of the Year (Glassnote) is the fifth consecutive trophy for indies in the category, following Robert Plant & Alison Krauss (Concord/Rounder), Taylor Swift (Big Machine), Arcade Fire (Merge), and Adele (who is signed to and marketed by Beggars/XL outside of the U.S.). Below is A2IM’s Grammy Press Release.

Mumford & Sons log 5th consecutive Album of the Year for Indies

2013 marked another strong night for independents at the Grammy Awards, taking 36 of 79 non-producer categories, including Album of the Year and Best Album wins in 18 categories. Mumford & Sons’ win for Album of the Year (Glassnote) is the fifth consecutive trophy for indies in the category, following Robert Plant & Alison Krauss (Concord/Rounder), Taylor Swift (Big Machine), Arcade Fire (Merge), and Adele (who is signed to and marketed by Beggars/XL outside of the U.S.).

Glassnote founder/owner Daniel Glass noted “I’m beyond thrilled and grateful to the band, the independent community that we’re so proudly a part of, to indie retail and the fans that have been a part of this effort.  What can I say about Mumford & Sons?  They’re a joy, a privilege to work with…I can’t even call it work.  And my Glassnote team, I can’t thank them enough for all they’ve done in helping build this tremendous achievement.  On behalf of all indies, I thank the Grammy voters for embracing great music and great artists…this is truly part of an independent movement and we’re only just beginning.”

Leading all independent labels, Concord Music Group artists took home eight Grammy Awards. Concord President Glen Barros couldn’t be more pleased sending this message, “I’m so happy that I want to give everyone Kisses On The Bottom…along with all our other Grammy winning and nominated albums.  I’m so grateful to work with such amazing artists and one of the best teams in the business.”

Said Naxos USA CEO Jim Selby (six non-producer awards): ”I would like to congratulate all of the artists, engineers, and producers who helped create these wonderful recordings. Their dedication, excellence and imagination allows all of us to enjoy this amazing music. All of these projects were created by vibrant independent classical labels, proving yet again how important the ‘indie’ labels and classical music are to each other.”

This year marked the third consecutive year that independent labels and artists led the industry with 50% of all nominations, earning 210 of 393 non-producer nominations.

Billboard’s Item is HERE. In addition prior to the Grammy’s Rich Bengloff was quoted in an AP news item on Huffington Post thanking The Recording Academy for its inclusiveness in the Grammy process.

Posted in News, Press Releases by A2IM

On Dec 6th, the final nominations for the 55^th Annual GRAMMY Awards were announced and once again independents were clearly celebrated by the voting members of The Recording Academy scoring 210 of the 393 non-producer category nominations.

Independents have nominations in 68 of the 79 counted categories including Record of the Year (Taylor Swift, Big Machine Records), Album of the Year (Mumford & Sons “Babel”, Glassnote) and 2 of the Best New Artist nominees (Alabama Shakes, ATO Records and The Lumineers, Dualtone Music Group).  Demonstrating the contribution that independents make to all music genres, categories such as Best Pop Instrumental Album, Best Jazz Vocal Album, Best Latin Jazz Album, Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album, Best Americana Album, Best Bluegrass Album, Best Folk Album, Best Blues Album and nearly all of the Classical Album categories were dominated by independent nominations.

For a full list of A2IM member nominees, click HERE. If you are an A2IM member, who had an artist who was nominated that is not listed here, please let us know.

This morning A2IM’s PR firm Shore Fire Media issued the below press release celebrating our community’s success.  Congratulations and good luck to all of our members and their artists and we look forward to celebrating a great night in February.

Read the Press Here From FMQB

A2IM
For Immediate Release
December 6, 2012

Independents Log Half of All GRAMMY Noms For 3rd Consecutive Year

A2IM, the American Association of Independent Music, congratulates this year’s Grammy Award nominees, in particular recognizing the independent music labels and artists that earned 210 nominations out of 393 non‐producer category nominations ‐ half of all nominees for the third consecutive year. Independents were led by huge nights for Mumford & Sons, Alabama Shakes, The Lumineers, Ultra Music, Smithsonian Folkways, Naxos of America, and Concord Music Group, the independent label leader in total GRAMMY nominations with 26 total nods.

Jim Mahoney, A2IM Vice President, says, “What an exciting night for so many independent labels and artists… from independent leaders Concord Music Group, Glassnote, Ultra Records and ATO to the outstanding people at Sunnyside Records,Mack Avenue, Nacional, and Compass Records…outstanding!”

Of the multiple nominations for Mumford & Sons’ ‘Babel,’ Glassnote CEO Daniel Glass said “‘Babel’ continues to prove itself and touch people. We are elated, inspired, and proud of Mumford & Sons and their very talented producer Markus Dravs.”

Echoed ATO Records GM Jon Salter, “We’re so proud to be working with the Alabama Shakes. The band’s talent and passion brings an energy to the music that’s touching listeners across the country. Congratulations to the Shakes and all the devoted fans.” Nicole Blonder, Sr. Director of Marketing and Sales for Mute Records continued, “We’re so proud of M83 and the entire team! Everyone’s worked incredibly hard to have this masterpiece of an album be recognized by the industry. It’s been an amazing year!”  Dualtone Music’s Marketing Director Paul Roper expressed similar sentiments, “We are honored to have The Lumineers included in the list of Grammy nominees for Best New Artist and  Best Americana Album. It’s incredibly gratifying and humbling for the label and the band that their music is being received so well on this scale. It’s an incredible time to be an indie and it’s wonderful to see the community so well represented in both these categories.”

“On behalf of everyone who pours their hearts and souls into the great artists on independent labels,” continued Mahoney, “A2IM couldn’t be prouder or more pleased for the recognition that the voting members of The Recording Academy showered upon this community tonight. Congrats to all of the nominees and we look forward to a big independent celebration in February.”

Posted in News by A2IM

Posted in News by A2IM

A2IM Libera Award Finalists Were Announced Today (May 8, 2012). Read the Press Release HERE. Below are additional quotes and reaction by A2IM members on their nominations.

“We’re delighted to be a nominee for the Libbies’ 21st Century Award. eMusic has been dedicated to the independent music community since inception.  Over the past year, we’ve reaffirmed our relevance in today’s music ecosystem and created a more valuable experience for the “culturally independent” music buyer that our label partners need to reach.  We’re contributing significant market share for many emerging indie artists. It’s an honor to be recognized.” Adam Klein, CEO & President eMusic

“Being part of the A2IM community has played a big role in the Next Big Sound story. From meeting spaces at MIDEM, to industry mixers in cities throughout the US, A2IM members are some of our earliest customers, supporters and friends. It’s an honor to be nominated for a Libera.” Alex White, Next Big Sound

“We’re very pleased to see Mr. Alvin’s synch placement recognized with this special nom.  Dave’s exceptional songwriting talent and performance couldn’t be more perfectly suited and we’re proud for his work to receive such an honor.” Glenn Dicker, Yep Roc

“The Civil Wars and our sensibility music team are completely honored to be recognized by such a lovely group of peers within the independent music community. We’re grateful to share a mutual support and affection with so many other wonderful independent artists and organizations.” Nate Yetton, Owner sensibility music

“We’re honored to be nominated by our peers in the independent community for the first annual A2IM Libera Awards. Truly looking forward to the event and to celebrate all the intrepid indies and their artists. There is a lot to celebrate, and a bounty of great art and creativity happening right now.” Sam Valenti, Founder/Owner Ghostly International

“The recognition of the independent music community means so much to us.   With so many creative independent labels producing so much great music, we’re very honored to receive these nominations.” Glen Barros, Concord Music Group

“It has been an exciting year for Glassnote and our Artists. We are proud and honored to be nominated for the A2IM Libera awards.” Daniel Glass, Glassnote Records

“So many different people came together across the country to bring Emperor X’s musical scavenger hunt to life. It is a testament to a progressive independent industry to be recognized by A2IM and the Libeara Awards.” Mark Lipsitz, Marketing Bar/None

“Six Degrees Records has been flying the indie banner for 15 years now. Lord knows, it hasn’t always been easy- but we’re proud of what we’ve accomplished and of our diverse & eclectic roster and we’re particularly excited to be recognized by our peers with these nominations.” Bob Duskis, Co-Founder Six Degrees Records

“We are honored to be recognized by our colleagues at A2IM.  Our bands and their growing success are a testament to the importance of artist development, which we believe is alive and well in the independent community.” Greg Hammer, Managing Director, Red Bull Records

“Century Media is honored to have so many nominations in the inaugural Libera Awards.  It is a wonderful feeling of accomplishment to be acknowledged by our peers and to be included with so many other great nominees.  The Libbies truly showcase the diversity and strength of the independent music community.” Brian Sharp, Chief Operations Officer, Century Media Records