AIM AWARDS 2016: THE NOMINEES

The independent labels and artists whose success over the last 12 months in Blighty is worthy of celebration have been revealed by the Association of Independent Music. Names including Because Music, Radiohead, Daughter, Bella Union and Adele are in the running for AIM Awards on 9/6. So, who have we got our money on?

We’re interested in seeing Emmanuel de Buretel’s French/British label Because Music walk away with a few gongs, thanks to success with Christine and the Queens and Major Lazer. The label is up for the Independent Label Of The Year award, while Christine appears in Independent Breakthrough and Track of the Year categories, alongside Major Lazer for “Light It Up.”

Also in the Independent Label category is Simon Raymonde’s Bella Union, who’s Father John Misty was nominated for a BRIT earlier this year and will battle it out Christine, Flume (Transgressive), Neck Deep (Hopeless), PVRIS (Rise) and Stormzy for Breakthrough of the Year.

Simon Halliday’s 4AD sits under the umbrella of Martin Mills' Beggars Group, and boasts recent success with Daughter and Grimes. Daughter appear in Best Difficult Second Album for Not To Disappear, while Grimes’ “Kill V. Maim” is up for best indie video.

Chris Lombardi’s Matador (helmed by Natalie Judge in the U.K.) and Daniel Miller’s Mute get nods for Savages’ Adore Life and ARCA’s Mutant respectively, while the PPL Award for Most Played Independent Act will surely be Lohan Presencer’s Ministry of Sound for radio favourite Sigala.

Deserving of Indie Album of the Year would be Radiohead for U.K. #1 A Moon Shaped Pool, while surprise comeback track “Burn The Witch” appears alongside Adele’s “Hello” (XL) in the Independent Track category. Repping grime—a genre that's been gaining mainstream traction in Blighty over the last year—in AIM's list of nominees are Stormzy, Ghetts and Skepta.

XL boss Richard Russell has already been announced as victor of this year’s Pioneer Award, with Roisin Murphy set to receive Outstanding Contribution to Music. The recipient of the Innovator Award is TBC.

Said outgoing AIM Chief Alison Wenham: “Where else other than the AIM Awards would you find grime acts going head to head with hardcore punk bands and electronic producers?

“The shortlisted nominees represent a huge diversity of artist and genres, and highlight the fact that the best place to be in the music industry right now is the independent sector.”

Go here for the full list of nominees and remaining award categories, including best small label, catalogue release, hardest working band or artist, best indie festival and best live act.