Following the phenomenal success achieved in their inaugural year, the INDY Music Awards return in 2008 with a host of exciting and fresh new developments. Shifting focus from London to the whole of the UK this year, the awards will recognise and reward even more independent venues, promoters and artists than ever before and continue to highlight the very best in emerging live music.

200 venues and promoters have already registered for this year’s awards, while organisers are keen to encourage even more to register and nominate their favourite independent artists that have impressed them over the last year.

Once the registration closes, the public can begin to cast their votes for their favourite nominated artists at www.indyawards.co.uk from 1st February until 31st March. There will be stiff competition for the awards, which have now been extended to 19 categories including, Best Electronica Act, Promoter of the Year, three Venue Of The Year Awards and an Inspiration Award.

The full shortlist, based on the top four most popular artists in each of the 13 musical categories will be announced in early April before being reviewed by an Industry Panel who will decide the overall award winners.

2008’s Award winners will then be unveiled at a glittering ceremony where some of the UK’s brightest new stars will be joined by top names from the industry. Last year’s ceremony saw Marcella Detroit, Glen Matlock, Andy Matthews, Neville Staple, Omar, Tom McRae and legendary rock producer Kevin Shirley turning up and organisers have already been inundated with enquiries for this year’s event. Details for the awards ceremony date and venue will be announced shortly.

The INDY Music Awards were set up in early 2007 to recognise and honour the hard work of independent live music venues, promoters and the artists that they showcase and help to develop. Last years awards were London based with 121 venues and promoters nominating the best 218 artists out of an estimated 40,000 who played on their stages in 2006. 30,000 votes were placed on the INDY Music Awards website and a shortlist of 36 artists went before an industry panel who decided on the eventual winners.

Not only does this look like a good awards show concentrating on smaller artists it also excludes all indie label’s connected to the majors. The mp3 I have shared below is by one of last year’s winners, Joana and the Wolf, who I reckon are worth three minutes of your time to listen to!

- Mark

DOWNLOAD: Joana and the Wolf - “Kingdom”