Billy Bragg will be this year’s recipient of the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Music’ award, sponsored by eMusic, at this year’s AIM Independent Music Awards.
It is 30 years since his debut mini-album Life’s A Riot became an unlikely Top 30 hit, and Billy Bragg remains one of the unique figures at the forefront of British independent music.
From Don’t Try This At Home, Sexuality, New England and most recently Handyman Blues, to Between The Wars, There Is Power In A Union and Never Buy The Sun, Billy has always combined his beliefs with a healthy dose of pop. Remaining one of our most consistently outspoken artists, he has sailed a truly independent path, regardless of prevailing musical trends.
This year he released his 12th studio album Tooth and Nail, recorded in just five days it was a return to the spontaneous recording and production style of his first albums. Alongside his prolific recording career, Billy has been a tireless campaigner on a range of issues, not least the rights of fellow musicians and artists as an outspoken member of the Featured Artist Coalition.
Billy said, ‘I was inspired by punk rock, not just by the music but by the DIY ethos that drove the scene. Over the years I’ve held onto that spirit by working with labels whose commitment to independence has offered me greater control of my output. Therefore, to be recognised by AIM as an artist who has made an outstanding contribution to music is a great honour.’
Chairman of AIM, Alison Wenham heralded the Award recipient, “Billy is bottled independent spirit. His ethos, his work ethic, his constant campaigning towards a better deal for musicians the world over – not forgetting a catalogue of great music – earns him AIM’s coveted 2013 Outstanding Contribution to Music.”
Billy will receive the award, alongside Pioneer Award winner Geoff Travis and other award recipients at The Brewery in Clerkenwell on September 3rd. Tickets for the awards ceremony are on sale now from
