Date 16th February 2011,

Following the launch of the European Independent Album of the Year Award by IMPALA, voting is now taking place on a 21-album shortlist. The winner of this new European mercury-style award will be announced on Monday 28th February.

The award celebrates the musical talent and diversity of independent European releases. It promotes exceptional artists and the independent sector alike. The winner will be selected based on musical merit alone.

The nominated albums for 2010 are listed below, along with the label and nationality.:
By Artist (Artist, Album (label) artist country, label country)
– Aeroplane – We Can’t Fly (Eskimo Recordings) Belgium (artist), Belgium (label)
– Arryan Path – Terra Incognita (Pitch Black Records) Cyprus (artist), Cyprus (label) – Asa – Beautiful Imperfection (Naïve) France/Nigeria (artist) France (label)
– Bambi Molesters – As The Dark Wave Swells (Dancing Bear) Croatia (artist) Croatia
(label)
– Delorean – Subiza (Mushroom Pillow) Spain (artist), Spain (label)
– Dubioza Kolektiv – 5 Do 12 (Menart) Bosnia (artist), Bosnia (label)
– Efterklang – Magic Chairs (Rumraket/4AD) Denmark (artist), Denmark (label)
– Bjørn Eidsvåg – Rundt Neste Sving (Petroleum Records) Norway (artist), Norway (label) – El Guincho – Pop Negro (Young Turks) Spain (artist), UK (label)
– Caro Emerald – Deleted scenes from the cutting room floor (Grand Mono) Netherlands
(artist), Netherlands (label)
– Feloche – La Vie Cajun (Ya Basta) France (artist), France (label)
– Field Music – Field Music (Measure) (Memphis Industries) UK (artist), UK (label)
– Irie Rock Trio – Kickout (CLS Music) Hungary (artist), Hungary (label)
– Junip – Fields (City Slang) Sweden (artist), Germany (label)
– Agnes Obel – Philharmonics (PIAS) Denmark (artist), Benelux/UK/France (label)
– Paleface – Helsinki Shangri-la (XO Records) Finland (artist), Finland (label)
– Skunk Anansie – Wonderlustre (V2 Benelux/earMUSIC) UK (artist), Benelux/Germany
(label)
– The Concretes – WYWH (Licking Fingers) Sweden (artist), Sweden (label)
– The National – High Violet (4AD) USA (artist), UK (label)
– Underworld – Barking (Cooking Vinyl) UK (artist), UK (label)
– Various – Nonplace – 10th Anniversary Edition (Nonplace Records 2010/ Non28)
Germany (artist), Germany (label)

Album reviews and further information can be viewed here. IMPALA has teamed up with Spotify to make a playlist so you can judge for yourselves in advance of the big day. The

playlist is here http://open.spotify.com/user/impalamusic/playlist/0UADJ8kprBVsbQBN0GA9dS.

Quotes:
Helen Smith, Executive Chair, IMPALA said: “These awards recognise talent and great music irrespective of sales. The 21 albums demonstrate the diversity of the European independent sector and are a great start to this European mercury style award.”

About the Independent Album of the Year Award

The new awards were announced to mark the 10th anniversary of IMPALA. The European Independent Album of the Year Award looks at showcasing the breadth and diversity of independent talent across Europe. The winner is selected, regardless of sales figures and publicity, from a shortlist which is compiled based on a national and non-national album nominations from European territories. Nominated albums were required to have been released in 2010 (1st January – 31st December), on a European independent label. A jury of Impala board members will choose the winner. The criteria for nominations and the selection process may well evolve with the progression of the award.

About IMPALA

IMPALA was established in April 2000 to help independent music companies from across the EU represent their own agenda – from promotion to finance and commercial issues to market access. 99% of Europe’s music companies are SMEs. Known as the “independents”, they are world leaders in terms of innovation and discovering new music and artists – they produce more than 80% of all new releases. IMPALA also has a sales award scheme to help promote cultural diversity and new talent and highlight the artistic contribution of independent music. IMPALA award winning artists include The XX, Adele, Carla Bruni, Manu Chao, Benjamin Biolay, Katie Melua, Arctic Monkeys, The Prodigy and Placebo.