Indy Awards shortlist unveiled

Thursday April 19, 2007

The shortlist for the first Indy Music Awards were announced last night at an event at the Rock Garden in Covent Garden, after more than 30,000 votes were cast online. 

The awards, which will be held at the Clapham Grand on May 15, have been created to recognise the venues, promoters and artists working in the independent music scene.

The honours, which will be judged by top UK music industry figures, will include Virgin Extreme Best Indie Act, best pop rock act and best hip hop act. An award for fan of the year will be voted for by bands and venues. There will also be a people’s choice award for the act that generated the most votes from the website and a most popular venue of the year award. 

Jeremy Glover, CEO of the awards, said: “The response from the venues and promoters, artists and fans has been tremendous. The public has now had its say – with 1.3 million hits on our website and we are blown away by the incredibly high standard of the short listed acts which just goes to show how much untapped talent there is out there.”

Fans were asked vote online at indyawards.co.uk and choose from 218 independent artists nominated by 60 of London’s top independent venues and promoters. Thirty six acts from all over the country have made the final shortlist in nine different categories.

The acts nominated are:

Best Solo Act
Claire Toomey – nominated by Making It Live, The Rock Garden, www.myspace.com/clairetoomey

Joe Driscoll – nominated by Vibe Bar, Vibe Bar AND Cargo, Cargo
www.myspace.com/joedriscoll

Rod Thomas – nominated by Plum Music, Betsey Trotwood,
www.myspace.com/rodthomasmusic

Yamit Mamo – nominated by Tony Moore, The Bedford,
www.myspace.com/yamitmamomusic

Best Hip Hop Act
Supar Novar – nominated by Bugbear Promotions, Dublin Castle,
www.myspace.com/suparnovar

Kuz – nominated by SEB Collective, Embassy Club,
www.myspace.com/kuzmusic

The Bleeps – nominated by Nightbus to Cairo, Bardens Boudoir,
www.myspace.com/thebleeps

Shuffle – nominated by Bugbear Promotions, The Hope and Anchor,
www.myspace.com/shuffleshuffle

Best New Wave/Progressive Act
Sketchbeat – nominated by Bull and Gate Promotions, Bull and Gate, AND Feed Me Music, Clapham Grand,
www.myspace.com/sketchbeat

Joana and the Wolf – nominated by Plum Music, Hoxton Bar & Kitchen,
www.myspace.com/joanaandthewolf

LittleSpitfire – nominated by The Playroom, Bullet Bar,
www.myspace.com/littlespitfire100

The Brent Flood – nominated by SEB Collective, MyPlace, AND Feedme Music, Clapham Grand,
www.myspace.com/thebrentflood

Best Alternative Act
Hopper – nominated by Jazzfly, MyPlace,
www.myspace.com/hoppermusic

The Cadets – nominated by Making It Live, The Rock Garden,
www.myspace.com/thecadetsuk

Wrong Animal – nominated by The Good Ship, The Good Ship
www.myspace.com/wronganimal

Suzerain – nominated by Halfmoon Putney, Halfmoon Putney
www.myspace.com/suzerainmusic

Best Soul/Funk Act
Greenlaw – nominated by SEB Collective, Embassy Club,
www.myspace.com/greenlawmusiz

Drivin Me Crazy – nominated by Jazzfly, Myplace,
www.myspace.com/drivinmecrazymusic

Alex Holland – nominated by Hidden Treasure, The Telegraph,
www.myspace.com/alexhollandmusic

NuBrownSoul – nominated by Making It Live, The Rock Garden,
www.myspace.com/nubrownsoul

Best Indie Act
The Aviators – nominated by Feed Me Music, The Clapham Grand,
www.myspace.com/theaviators06

Marner Brown – nominated by Halfmoon Putney, Halfmoon Putney
www.myspace.com/marnerbrownband

Guitar Club – nominated by PEAFISH, The Hope and Anchor,
www.myspace.com/guitarclub

Kingsize – nominated by The Commissary, The Commissary
www.myspace.com/thisiskingsize

Best Pop Rock Act
The Lightyears – nominated by Feedme Music, Dingwalls,
www.myspace.com/thelightyears

Tyler – nominated by 4 Sticks Live, The Cobden Club,
www.myspace.com/tylerlive

AKA – nominated by The Playroom, Bullet Bar,
www.myspace.com/thebandcalledaka

Amplifico – nominated by The Playroom, Bullet Bar,
www.myspace.com/amplifico

Best Punk/Ska Act
The Skallywags – nominated by The People Vs, The Purple Turtle, AND Sweet But Deadly Promotions, The Pleasure Unit,
www.myspace.com/theprinceregent

Koopa – nominated by Nonstop Music Promotions, The Loaded Dog,
www.myspace.com/koopa

Dr.8 Ball – nominated by Feed Me Music, Mass Club,
www.myspace.com/8ballska

Jag – nominated by Broccoli Music, The Fly,
www.myspace.com/jagsound

Best Rock Act
Ashdowne - nominated by Halfmoon Putney, Halfmoon Putney
www.myspace.com/ashdowne

This Time Oblivion - nominated by Halfmoon Putney, Halfmoon Putney
www.myspace.com/thistimeoblivion

Projekt Mayhem – nominated by PEAFISH, The Lark In The Park
www.myspace.com/projektmayhemband

Red Star Rebels – nominated by The Purple Turtle, The Purple Turtle
www.myspace.com/redstarrebel