Electronic artist Flying Lotus, singer and songwriter FKA twigs, Anglo-Indian jazz drummer Sarathy Korwar and synth-pop master Vince Clarke were among the big winners as the indie community gathered Wednesday night (August 12) for the 10th annual AIM Independent Music Awards, held pure for the first time.
Flying Lotus snagged best independent track (for “More” with Anderson .Paak) and Korwar’s More arrival took out the best independent album.
“It feels like a real blessing to receive and recognize an award in these times, when they make us feel like our work is not essential and what we do is just what,” enthuses Flying Lotus (real name Steven Ellison). “That, thanks for the reminder that what we do is very important.”
Even at night, FKA twigs catch the best [difficult] second album for her critically acclaimed Magdalene, that pealste on no. 21 on the official UK Albums Chart in November last year, and Moses Boyd scored UK independent breakthrough honors.
One of the moments of show-stealing came when Erasure reunited on stage for the premiere of her new single “Nerves of Steel”, a fitting moment when songwriter and keyboardist Vince Clarke collected the award for special recognition, a new category. Clarke was praised for his work in Erasure, Yazoo and Hall of Famers Depeche Mode and “his exceptional contribution to the synth-pop field,” organizers say.
In the industry award categories, Helen Smith, executive chairman of the lobby organization of independent music companies IMPALA, was named “Indie Champion”, and late drummer Tony Allen was posthumously distinguished for his outstanding contribution to music awards.
Allen’s career was celebrated with a performance featuring Blur and Gorillaz presenter Damon Albarn, and a separate tribute curated by Ezra Collective’s Femi Koleoso.
A pioneering afrobeat drummer, Allen died April 30 in Paris, aged 79, leaving a manly legacy.
The Nigerian artist was known for his work with Fela Kuti and, later, with Albarn’s project The Good, The Bad & The Queen, French electronic duo Air and others.
At the time of his death, Brian Eno praised Allen as “perhaps the greatest drummer who ever lived,” while Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers described him as “one of the greatest drummers this earth has ever run. “
As part of celebrating Allen’s life and work, Koleoso is collecting a special medley to garner the likes of UK jazz standouts: Nubya Garcia, Mutale Chashi, Tobi Adenaike, Elias Atkinson, Richie Seivwright, Deschanel Gordon and Junior Alli.
Founded in the UK in 2011, the AIM Independent Music Awards celebrate the brightest, best and innovators of the independent music scene.
Winners and nominees of AIM Independent Music Awards:
UK independent breakthrough in YouTube music
Georgia
Digga D
Fontaines DC
Kokoroko
Moses Boyd (winner)
Best creative packaging in association with signature letter
Digga D – Double Tap Diaries (Winner)
Hania Rani – ‘Esja’ Sheet Music Book
Motorhead – 1979
Sophie – Oil Of Every Pearl’s Un-Insides Non-Stop Remix Album
Moses Boyd – Dark Matter LP (Dinked Edition)
Special Recognition Award in association with Fuga – Vince Clarke (winner)
Indie Champion In Association With MCPS – Helen Smith (winner)
Best small label in association with key production
Bedroom Indie
Edition Records
Femme Kultuer
Houndstooth
Speedy Wunderground (Winner)
Best independent remix related to Designscene
Lafawndah – Tourist X Nídia Rework (winner)
King Of The Rollers – You Got Me (SPY Remix)
Makaya Mccraven – Gil Scott-Heron – We’re New Again
Apparatus – Outlier (Solomun Remix)
Marie Davidson – Work It (Soulwax Remix)
One to see in connection with introducing BBC music
Arlo Parks (winner)
Blanco White
Caroline
Greentea Peng
Lavida Loca
Best independent video in association with Vevo
Black Pumas – Colors
Bombay Bicycle Club – Eat, sleep, wake (Nothing but You)
Flying Lotus – Black Balloons Reprise (Ft. Denzel Curry)
Greentea Peng – Mr. Sun (Miss Da Sun)
The Howl & The Hum – The Only Boy Racer Left On The Island (Winner)
Zebra Katz – Moor
Innovator Award in association with Amazon Music – AJ Tracey (winner)
Good [Difficult] Second album related to just music
Floating points – Crush
Fka twigs – Magdalene (Winner)
Joe Armon Jones – Turn to Clear View
Life – An image of good health
Moses Sumney – Gray
International Breakthrough In Association With Deezer
Bicep
Floating points
Hania Rani
Idles
Yaeji (Winner)
Pioneer Award in Relation to Evoke Studios – Little Simz (winner)
PPL Award for most played new independent artist
Freya Ridings (Winner)
Fontaines DC
Jaykae
Jade Bird
Nsg
Best independent album in association with Spotify
Brooke Bentham – Everyday Nothing
Everything is recorded – Friday forever
Kidjo Ojua – The Mixtape
Kim Gordon – No home record
Laura Marling – Song For Our Daughter
Moses Boyd – Dark Matter
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Ghosteen
The Ninth Wave – Infancy
Phoenix Da Icefire & Husky Brown – Panacea
Sarathy Korwar – More Arrivals (winner)
Best Live Act related to creative technology
Ayanna Witter-Johnson
Five Finger Death Punch (winner)
Red Rum Club
The Reytons
It’s dark
Best independent track in association with Facebook
AJ Tracey – Dinner Guest (Ft. Mostack)
Digga D – No diet
Flying Lotus – More (Ft. Anderson. Paak) (Winner)
King Krule – Alone, Omen 3
Leaves – Modern loneliness
Sorry – Right around the clock
Squid – Sludge
Sudan Archives – Confessions
Tony Allen & Hugh Masekela – We’re Landed
Yves Tumor – Gospel for a new century
Best independent label in association with [PIAS]
Brownswood Recordings
Good soldier
Jazz Re: Refreshed (Winner)
Throwing stones
Young Turks
Outstanding contribution to music related to Merlin – Tony Allen (winner)
