MITSKI, DE LA SOUL, POLACHEK HEADLINE LIBERA AWARDS

Mitski, Blondshell, De La Soul and Caroline Polachek were among the winners last night (6/10) as the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM) staged its annual Libera Awards ceremony at Gotham Hall in New York.

Mitski won Record of the Year for The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We (Dead Oceans), Blondshell took home Best Rock Record and Breakthrough Artist for her self-titled Partisan debut and Polachek earned Self-Released Record of the Year and Best Alternative Rock Record for Desire, I Want To Turn Into You (Perpetual Novice).

De La Soul received three awards for its long-awaited catalog-reissue campaign, while influential Swedish hardcore band Refused won Best Sync Usage for its song "New Noise" (Epitaph) in season 2 of FX on Hulu's The Bear.

Bandcamp was presented with the Independent Champion award, Redeye Worldwide took home Distributor of the Year and Secretly Publishing was named Publisher of the Year.

Louis Posen, founder of Hopeless Records, received a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Libera Awards were hosted by comedian Marcia Belsky and featured live performances by Christian McBride’s New Jawn (Mack Avenue Music Group), rapper Kari Faux (drink sum wtr) and local rock trio Fcukers (Ninja Tune/Technocolour).

“Following an unforgettable evening at the 2024 Libera Awards, we are proud to honor the exceptional talents and achievements in the independent music community,” said Dr. Richard James Burgess MBE, president and CEO of A2IM. “Each winner showcases the innovation, creativity and resilience that drive our industry forward.”

A2IM also gave out awards in a range of music categories, from alternative to dance, as well as three Label of the Year awards and many other honors.

You could almost say Monday was Independents Day.