Originally written by Robert Leedham · 3 September 2014
Arctic Monkeys’ AM hasn’t gone wanting for recognition over past 12 months, and last night it picked up yet another gong as Independent Album of the Year at the AIM Independent Music Awards.
Designed to celebrate the strength of British independent music, the awards ceremony also honoured London Grammar as Independent Breakthrough Of The Year, while Twin Atlantic’s ‘Heart & Soul’ picked up Independent Track Of The Year.
Elsewhere, Domino Records scooped Independent Label of The Year for their work with the likes of Wild Beasts, Blood Orange and Alex Turner’s gang of Black Sabbath fans. Hyperdub, home to Burial and Ikonika, won Best Small Label, and Beggars Group Founder and Chairman Martin Mills was handed the prestigious Pioneer Award.
Mills founded the Beggars Group in 1977 and has gone onto to release albums by Gary Numan, The Cult, Pixies and Radiohead amongst countless others. Mills’ victory was honoured by a special video tribute featuring The National, XL’s Richard Russell and Rough Trade’s Jeanette Lee.
"This means more than anything..." said Mills upon receiving the award.
Cast your eyes below for the full list of AIM Independent Music Awards winners:
Independent Album of The Year: Arctic Monkeys - AM
Independent Breakthrough of The Year: London Grammar
Independent Track of The Year: Twin Atlantic - Heart & Soul
Independent Label of The Year: Domino
Best Small Label: Hyperdub
Best Live Act: Sophie Ellis-Bextor
Hardest Working Band or Artist: Ghetts
Best ‘Difficult’ Second Album: Ben Watt - Hendra
PPL Award For Most Played New Independent Act: London Grammar
Special Catalogue Release of The Year: Various - Purple Snow: Forecasting The Minneapolis Sound
Independent Video of The Year: Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip - You Will See Me
Indie Champion Award: John Doran, The Quietus
Golden Welly Award for Best Independent Festival: Barn on the Farm
Special Recognition Award: Alison Wenham, AIM Chairman and CEO
Outstanding Contribution to Music (sponsored by eMusic): Richie Hawtin
Pioneer Award: Martin Mills, Beggars Group
Innovator Award (sponsored by The Orchard): Steve Goodman aka Kode9 of Hyperdub Records
More information about the Association Of Independent Music can be found on its website.