Courtesy of IMNZ
Independent Music New Zealand have announced the Independents Day Top 10 New Zealand independent albums released since 2000.
And the top ten is
1. Phoenix Foundation - Horsepower
2. Die! Die! Die! - Promises, Promises
3. The Ruby Suns - Sea Lion
4. Fat Freddy's Drop - Based on a True Story
5. SJD - Southern Lights
6. Flight of the Conchords - Flight of the Conchords
7. The Brunettes - Holding Hands, Feeding Ducks
8. TrinityRoots - Home, Land and Sea
9. Jakob - Subsets of Sets
10. The Reduction Agents - The Dance Reduction AgentsAlbums entered in the poll were taken from the catalogues of each of the 75 IMNZ member labels and distributors; these were voted on by the public plus invited guests.
The limited edition New Zealand Independents day 08 album ran for 3 days and is now no longer available; while it was online it had a great reception - thanks so much to the artists who contributed and to everyone who purchased it.
And to top it all off, on Independents Day IMNZ launched its brand new logo!
Internationally there was plenty happening as well...
In the UK, Channel 4 screened a series of Independents Day programmes, featuring performances and interviews with some of the UK's hottest independent acts. UK independent record label association AIM also released a double album: one disc featured well-known independent artists paying tribute to their own favourite independent songs; and the other disc featured up and coming independent artists selected by the artists on Disc 1. There was an eBay auction running until July 6 too, which featured exclusive items from the likes of Radiohead, Dizzee Rascal, Basement Jaxx, Gilles Peterson and Vampire Weekend.
Australia's AIR also ran a poll; theirs determined the Top 50 Australian independent albums of all time - check them out here: http://www..independentsday08.com/australia/ Their auction closes at the end of this week and includes Radio Birdman and AC/DC memorabilia, signed posters from the Eagles of Death Metal and Henry Rollins, concert tickets and much more.
Spanish independent label association UFI celebrated by conducting a poll in which people could vote for the songs that they consider to be important markers in the history of Spanish independence. The most voted-for songs will be compiled in an album to be released later this year; the album's profits will go to independent music associations. On Independents Day Spain also announced that they'll be holding their very first Independent Music Awards.
Italy's association Audiocoop released a 15-track compilation, whose songs were chosen by Audiocoop with help of journalists and people from the indie music business; and they had their own radio show presented by the popular nightly programme Stereonotte on Itlay's Rai 1.
And the US released a 25 track online-only compilation featuring Devendra Banhart, Frank Black, Slipknot, the Donnas and more; and they ran an auction featuring items from Dragonforce, Ani DiFranco, James Taylor, the Breeders, Cat Power, Tommy Boy Records and heaps of others.
Thanks for being with us, and stay tuned for further IMNZ and Independents Day news.
More information
The NZ Independents Day site
The International Independents Day site
09/07/08