The Independent Music Awards (IMAs) is an international program that honors top-ranked independent artists and releases in over 50 album, song, music video and design categories. Created in 1999 by Music Resource Group, publisher of the popular industry contact database The Musician’s Atlas/AtlasOnline, the IMAs also connect artists to new revenue opportunities and fans through marketing, sales, and promotional opportunities.

IMA categories include: Excellence in song, album, music video, packaging, album art, concert photo, publicity photo, band and record label website, merchandising and college record label release.

Who can win? Honors are awarded to indie artists who broaden the definition of commercial music and represent the diversity of the global indie music scene.

Artists previously on major labels, as well as notable indie label and self-released talent from around the globe have submitted their best work to the IMAs.

Previous judges include: Zooey Deschanel & M. Ward (She & Him), Norah Jones, Peter Gabriel, Aimee Mann, Snoop Dogg, Dan Auerbach & Patrick Carney (The Black Keys), Mark Hoppus (Blink 182), Ricky Skaggs, Melissa Etheridge, DJ Spooky, The Apples in stereo, Ken Jordan (The Crystal Method), Butch Walker, Lee Ritenour, Jesse Malin, Anthony DeCurtis (Rolling Stone), Tom Beujour (Revolver Magazine), Kevin Lyman (Vans Warped Tour), Evan Schlansky (American Songwriter), Melinda Newman (Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Associated Press, etc.), Tommy Merrill (The Rockwood Music Hall), Celina Denkins (Whiskey a Go-Go), and many more influential artists and key industry decision-makers.

Past IMA Winners & Nominees include: Spinnerette, Cursive, …And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead, Holly Golightly & The Brokeoffs, Ra-Ra Riot, The Cliks, Vienna Teng, The Flatlanders, fun., State Radio, Phil Roy, The Apples in stereo, Koko Taylor, Speech, Lacuna Coil, Jamie Lidell, The Trews, Joan As Police Woman, The Dollyrots, Sugarcult, Girlyman, Chris Whitley, Mary Gauthier, Richard Julian, Eleni Mandel, Miguel Migs, The Mooney Suzuki, Sweet Honey in The Rock, God Forbid, Bitter:Sweet, Dan Bern, and more.

There are more than 70 ways to earn IMA honors. Check out all The 11th IMA categories by clicking here.

Tell us what you think: Will you submit your music to the IMAs?

The SongCast Crew