By Renee Jones
The first international Independents Day is happening this weekend - and it is kicking off in New Zealand! To celebrate, IMNZ is releasing a very limited edition digital album replete with much-loved New Zealand artists alongside some exciting newcomers, plus exclusive cover versions by well known international indie artists covering their favourite independent songs. You can also vote for your favourite New Zealand independent albums and possibly win a tasty stack of CDs for your efforts.
By Renee Jones
The first international Independents Day is happening this weekend - and it is kicking off in New Zealand! To celebrate, IMNZ is releasing a very limited edition digital album replete with much-loved New Zealand artists alongside some exciting newcomers, plus exclusive cover versions by well known international indie artists covering their favourite independent songs. You can also vote for your favourite New Zealand independent albums and possibly win a tasty stack of CDs for your efforts.
Independents Day 08 is an international three-day celebration of independent music which will run from Friday July 4 to Sunday July 6 this year. IMNZ (representing over 70 of the country's independent record labels and distributors) is teaming up with independent record label associations from around the globe to make some serious noise about the great independent music being released all over the world. Artists under the IMNZ umbrella include Fat Freddy's Drop, Geoff Sewell, Flight of the Conchords, Hollie Smith, SJD, Opshop, Kora, the Nothing (with Chris Knox), and elsewhere the independent music sector was the first home to artists including The Beatles, Elvis and Coldplay and is still home to artists such as Radiohead, Arctic Monkeys and Bjork.
Independents Day 08 - The Limited Edition Album: Available Only For 3 Days
The very very very limited edition Independents Day 08 album comes out on Friday July 4. It's only on sale for three days so put that date in your diary! After Sunday July 6 the album will be removed forever, so it's a bit of a collector's item. It's only available online, so from Friday you can head to Amplifier, Digirama, iTunes, Vodafone or Telecom to check it out.
Local artists include Little Bushman, Tiki, the Naked and Famous, Tiger Tones, The Brunettes, Shapeshifter and many more, and our international guests are the Prodigy, the Charlatans, Devendra Banhart and the Infadels. In a nice tribute to the history of the indies, the international tracks showcase the artists' favourite independent songs; and a TV show is being produced which follows the progress of the UK covers album.
You can find the album tracklisting and stores online.
Independents Day 08 - Vote For The Top Ten NZ Indie Albums Of All Time (or since 2000 anyway!)
You can vote for your favourite New Zealand independent albums released since 2000 (when IMNZ was formed). Voting is open for a week and closes at 9am on Friday July 4. All will be revealed when the Top Ten is announced later that day. Voting is open to the public and we're also rounding up the Top tens of a variety of New Zealand music experts which we'll feature on our website.
Vote online
Independents Day 08 - The Auction
The auction will provide a once-in-a-lifetime chance to grab a piece of musical history, with musical rarities and personal artist collectibles all going under the hammer. Lots include signed Radiohead artwork, sets of signed Roots Manuva albums, Chris Slade (AC/DC) drum signed sticks, Kim and Kelly Deal-signed Breeders EP and posters and rare Arcade Fire singles. Proceeds go to charities in each participating country such as the Musicians' Benevolent Fund in the UK and Musicares in the US.
What is happening with Independents Day 08 internationally?
Independent label organisations in the UK, US, Australia, Spain and other countries around the world are also presenting their own albums, polls and auctions. The other participating countries' Independents Day 08 albums can also be purchased.
IMNZ Independent Album Chart
1
Flight Of The Conchords
Flight Of The Conchords
Rhythmethod
2
Tiki
Past, Present, Future
Dirty Dub
3
HDU
Metamathics
Shoot The Freak/Border
4
Kora
Kora
Kora/Border
5
Samuel F. Scott And The BOP
Straight Answer Machine
LOOP/Border
6
dDub
Medicine Man
Vunderchick/Border
7
Hot Grits
It's Too Drunk To Be This Early
Monkey/Rhythmethod
8
An Emerald City
An Emerald City EP
Monkey/Rhythmethod
9
The Naked And Famous
This Machine EP
Round Trip Mars
10
Dick 'Magik' Johnson
You Are Sound
Border
11
Geoff Sewell
Believe
Ode
12
Dudley Benson
The Awakening
Border
13
Bulletproof
Dark Times, Desperate Measures
Uprising
14
Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra
The Heartache EP
Rhythmethod
15
Flight Of The Conchords
The Complete BBC Radio Show
Elite
16
Little Bushman
Pendulum
Rhythmethod
17
O.G
Moving On
Central/Rhythmethod
18
Tahuna Breaks
Reflections
Rhythmethod
19
Dubwize Presents Snypa Levi
The Sojourner
Rhythmethod
20
Fat Freddy's Drop
Based On A True Story
Rhythmethod
(Shows sales from 1 - 31 May 2008. Compiled from outbound sales registered at selected music retailers by Media Sauce Ltd. for IMNZ. Eligibility requires IMNZ membership or by registration fee. For further information on IMNZ releases, labels or membership contact IMNZ Operations Manager Renee Jones.)
Courtesy of Independent Music New Zealand
03/07/08