About the Independent Record Sector

The independent record sector accounts for some of the world’s most exciting and diverse music, and is responsible for over three quarters of new releases and a quarter of the world market. Independents invest in new musical genres and break exciting new trends, continually pushing the boundaries of popular culture through innovation, experimentation and calculated risk-taking.

In the US, independent-signed artists received a total of over 80 nominations for this year’s prestigious Grammy Awards, while UK independents received the coveted Mercury Music Prize on four occasions between 2003 and 2008.

Independent-signed artists include: Arcade Fire, Paul McCartney, The Eagles, Nickelback, Arctic Monkeys, Bjork, Thom Yorke, Nine Inch Nails, The White Stripes, Fleet Foxes, Vampire Weekend, The Shins, Plain White T’s, Tom Waits, Adele, Tim McGraw, Carla Bruni, Franz Ferdinand, Rascal Flatts, Slipknot, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Editors, M.I.A., Sufjan Stevens, Fler, LeAnn Rimes, Tiësto, Taylor Swift, The Rasmus, Jose Gonzalez, The Strokes, Jay Sean, Basement Jaxx, Charlotte Gainsbourg, The Raconteurs, Super Furry Animals, Pixies, Antony & The Johnsons, Jarvis Cocker, Nitin Sawhney, Enter Shikari, Pigeon Detectives, The Go! Team, Royksopp, Roots Manuva, Coldcut, Dave Clarke, Matthew Herbert, Soulwax/2 Many DJs, Tiga, Laurent Garnier, Vitalic, The Prodigy and Underworld.

About AIM
AIM is a not-for-profit trade body established in 1999 to represent the UK independent music industry. Now in its 10th year, AIM acts for over 90% of the independent market, with over 800 members from small start-ups to the largest and most respected independents in the world. AIM promotes this exciting and diverse sector globally, leveraging the sector’s power as a fifth major to enable its members to grow, grasp new opportunities and break into new markets. AIM oversees an independent sector whose artists have claimed four Mercury Music Prizes in a row (2003 - 2006) and earned two thirds of all nominations between 2005 and 2008. Artists signed to UK Independents also scooped a quarter of all available prizes at the 2008 Brit Awards, with an independentsigned act grabbing “Best British Group” for the fourth year running. This confirms the sector’s undoubted lead in A&R. The independent sector regularly accounts for 30% of all UK artist album awards (silver, gold, platinum/multi-platinum). In 2008, independent albums made up over half of the fifty “best albums of the year” according to the UK music press, and independents claimed five of the top ten releases.

Artists signed to AIM member labels include: Adele, Amadou & Miriam, Arctic Monkeys, Basement Jaxx, Battles, Bjork, Bloc Party, Bon Iver, Coldcut, Enter Shikari, Franz Ferdinand, Infadels, Jack Penate, Jarvis Cocker, Jay Sean, Jose Gonzalez, Justice, Katie Melua, M.I.A., Maximo Park, Mr. Scruff, Nitin Sawnhey, Radiohead, Reverend And The Makers, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Roots Manuva, Royksopp, Seasick Steve, Sufjan Stevens, Super Furry Animals, The Cribs, The Futureheads, The Prodigy, The Raconteurs, The Strokes, The White Stripes,
Vampire Weekend and thousands of others.
www.musicindie.com

About WIN
The World Independent Network is a global forum whose members are the independent record sector trade bodies around the world. It was launched in 2006 in response to business, creative and market access issues faced by the world’s independent communities. For independent music companies and their national trade associations worldwide, WIN is a collective voice. It also acts as an advocate, instigator and facilitator for its continually growing membership.
www.worldwideindependentnetwork.com

About the ICA
“The ICA is home to the best new art and culture from Britain and around the world. A meeting point for exploration between artists and audiences, the ICA examines the questions that shape our culture, society and individual lives. We believe in creative adventure. In art as inspiration. Ultimately the ICA is not so much a place as a principle. A belief in the new. An enduring faith in the creativity of tomorrow.” Ekow Eshun

The Institute of Contemporary Arts was established in 1947 by a collective of artists, poets and writers to showcase and champion contemporary culture across a wide range of art forms. Since its establishment, it has been at the centre of many of the most significant artistic and cultural developments in the past 60 years. It has also introduced numerous artists, performers, writers and other cultural figures to a wider audience, both nationally and internationally. Today, the ICA consists of two galleries, two cinemas, a theatre, a bookshop, a
bar and café and private function rooms. Its programme covers visual arts, music, cinema, talks and educational events. It provides a forum for the creative industries, providing networking opportunities and a range of organised events. The ICA Bookshop offers a wide range of books, magazines, DVDs and other merchandise both in-store and on line. The ICA’s facilities, including two magnificent function rooms, are also available for private hire and events.

The ICA operates different tiers of membership. ICA members are entitled to a number of special benefits, including discounts on events and at the bookshop and advance booking facilities.
www.ica.org
ICA /12 Carlton House Terrace / London / W1Y 5AH / Box office: +44 (0)20 7930 3647