A2IM Looks Forward to an Indie-Packed 60th Grammy Awards

As the 60th Grammy Awards approaches, this year's list of nominees features a wide range of well-known and up-and-coming artists. Many of these artists have broken free from the mainstream music machine to present their work via independent labels.

 

Independent artists make up 55% of nominations in all non-producer and non-spoken word categories, with 43 of the 81 categories being a majority of independent nominees. In the Jazz field, independents comprise a whopping 92% of artists nominated, and take home 80% of the nominations in both the American Roots and Composing/Arranging categories. Special congrats to A2IM members Concord Music Group (12 nominations), Mack Avenue (8 nominations), Naxos (7 nominations), Beggars Group (5 nominations), Ninja Tune/Counter Records (4 nominations), and to Big Machine, Compass Records, Eleven Seven Music, Numero Group, and Sub Pop, who are all bringing home 3 nominations this year. You can find the full list of independent nominations here, including even more from A2IM members.

 

A2IM, the advocacy group for independent labels and their artists, is excited to see such a large number of independent artists being recognized by the Recording Academy.

 

"Independent music is doing better than ever with a record global market share of 37.32% according to Billboard. Last year more than two-thirds of Grammy nominations were independent releases. Independent music's authenticity, vitality, and genre diversity ensure its keystone role in the recording industry and American culture. A2IM thanks the Recording Academy and its members for its inclusiveness." says A2IM CEO Richard James Burgess.

 

For years, A2IM's mission has been to take independent music "beyond the gatekeepers," allowing independent artists the same opportunities, media attention, and airplay as the biggest players in the music industry. Through its advocacy efforts, the organization has fought to ensure that independent artists are paid the money they deserve. A2IM has also taken independent music international, promoting artists in places such as Latin America and Asia. In addition to this, A2IM's annual Indie Week gives artists and labels a forum to gain insight into best practices while providing a space to network with those who have experience in traversing the music scene.

 

A2IM currently boasts 511 label members - the highest since its inception - and with its rapidly growing numbers, the organization continues to impact the music scene at the Grammy Awards and beyond.

 

If you're a member of the Recording Academy, A2IM encourages you to vote independent. You can check out the A2IM Independent Voter Guide for final round voting here. Final-Round Voting begins on December 7 at 9:00 AM Pacific Time, and closes on December 21 at 6:00 PM Pacific Time.

Demetri Martin Named as Host of the 33rd Annual NAMM TEC Awards Showcasing the Best In Professional Audio & Sound Production

Former Contributor to “The Daily Show,” Martin to Host Ceremony Held during Global NAMM Show Saturday, January 27
 

Carlsbad, Calif. - December 4, 2017 - The NAMM Foundation has announced stand-up comedian and entertainer extraordinaire Demetri Martin as the host of the prestigious 33^rd Annual NAMM Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards (NAMM TEC Awards), Saturday, January 27, 2018 in Anaheim, CA during The NAMM Show, the global crossroads of the music products, pro audio and sound, and event technology industries. 

The in-demand and unconventional humorist, who is traversing major cities in America on his Let’s Get Awkward tour, will host the show for the first time. Martin is known for his deadpan delivery style and also as an audiophile and multi-instrumentalist who regularly incorporates music into his comedic repertoire, having played everything from the piano to guitar, harmonica, the ever-popular ukulele, and even the electronic keytar at his shows.

Of the awards, Martin offered a humorous quip: “I am looking forward to hosting the NAMM TEC Awards! As a mediocre, amateur musician who knows very little about professional sound and audio production, I feel uniquely unqualified for the gig - it should be fun.”

As a writer, actor, and director, Martin’s career has included many high-profile appearances and collaborations, including his notable early work as a contributor to “The Daily Show” and his own TV series for Comedy Central. He can now be heard as the voice of Ice Bear in Cartoon Network’s “We Bare Bears” and will release his third book this fall called “If It’s Not Funny It’s Art.”

The NAMM TEC Awards are bestowed annually in honor of the many individuals, companies and technical innovations used in sound recordings, films, broadcast television and video games, with nominees announced earlier this year here. On the evening of the awards, the winners in 31 categories of products and projects in the areas of Technical or Creative Achievement will be announced.

See Demetri Martin and winners of the 33^rd NAMM TEC Awards Saturday, January 21. Purchase tickets on site or in advance here for $50 (General Admission) or $175 (VIP). The show begins with a VIP-only reception at 6PM, followed by the awards ceremony at 7PM, held in the Hilton Anaheim Hotel’s Pacific Ballroom.

The TEC Awards are sponsored by Adam Hall GmbH, American Express, Baltic Latvian Universal Electronics, Broadjam Inc., Burl Audio, d&b audiotechnik, D’Angelico Guitars, Earbyte, Eventide, Genelec, Hal Leonard, IMSTA, IsoAcoustics, iZotope, Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear, LLP, L-Acoustics, Marshall Electronics, Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Meyer Sound Laboratories, NewBay Media, PreSonus Audio Electronics, Renkus-Heinz, Shure Incorporated, Slick Systems, Softube, Solid State Logic, Synchrony Financial, Taylor Robinson Music Company, Timeless Communications Corp.,Tracktion Software Group, TX Audio Americas, USPS, Warm Audio Wells Fargo Commercial Distribution Finance, among others.