Indies Choose Album Of Year

The European independent music companies’ search for their album of the year has been narrowed down to a not-so-short list of 18 records.

The acts with a chance of winning the third staging of the IMPALA European Independent Album of the Year include Alt-J, Django Django, Enter Shikari, Kaizers Orchestra, and The xx.

The winner will be selected by a jury of IMPALA Board members, who have four weeks to vote. Last year the prize went to Adele for 21.

The European Mercury-style award celebrates the musical talent and diversity of independent European releases.
Meanwhile, the Worldwide Independent Network has announced its Independent Manifesto and the formation of a Global Council.

The manifesto sets out a clear view of the basic, unchanging beliefs and values which together bind the global independent music sector, as well as calling for action in areas that are particularly significant for independent music companies.

It opposes further market consolidation and confronts market abuse.

“These days independents offer a very different route to market to artists than the majors do – and it’s great to have that down in words, and to spell out what matters to us,” Beggars Banquet chief Martin Mills explained. The WIN Global Council totals 15 members.