The spirit and success of independent music is stronger and louder than ever. Hundreds of artists, who don’t fit in with the ever-narrowing radio formats, are none-the-less breaking through to a hungry public and winning the support of fans, media and tastemakers across the nation. These artists will be honoured at the Canadian Music Week Festival (CMW) with the public presentation of the 2nd Annual Canadian Independent Music Awards Show, simply titled “The Indies”.

"The Indies" will be the official kick off event at CMW 2002, which runs from February 27th to March 3rd, 2002. The Opening Night Event and Awards will be held at the Steamwhistle Breweries' Roundhouse (255 Bremer Blvd.) on Wednesday, February 27 at 9PM.

The nomination selection process has been expanded this year to include a submission process for independent artists and labels. Applications and criteria outlines will be made available at www.cmw.net by November 15, 2001. These submissions will be reviewed by special genre committees comprised of individuals from all areas of the Canadian music scene, who will select the final nominees. Along with these official judges, the general public will be invited to participate by placing their votes at www.cmw.net, where pics, bios and streamed music will also be available. New this year, the Indies will include two non-performing categories: Children's and Classical music.

As with the inaugural celebration, the awards ceremony will be interspersed with live performances by selected nominees. The event will be webcast by the Iceberg.com and organizers are hoping to secure television coverage.

1st ANNUALCANADIAN INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS WINNERS

SUPER INDIE ALBUM OF THE YEAR AWARD
Serial Joe: Serial Joe

ALTERNATIVE ROCK ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Mike O'Neill: What Happens Next (Perimeter Records)

BLUES ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Michael Pickett: Conversation With the Blues (Wooden Teeth Records)

COUNTRY ALBUM OF THE YEAR
The Poverty Plainsmen: There's No Lookin' Back (Poverty Records)

DANCE ALBUM OF THE YEAR
11:30: 11:30 (Aquarius)

ELECTRONICA ALBUM OF THE YEARS
Jaffa: Elevator (Nude Recordings)

FOLK/ROOTS ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Zubot & Dawson: Tractor Parts (Black Hen)

FRANCOPHONE ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Yvon Kreve: L'accent Grave (Disc Mont-Real)

JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Metalwood: "3" (Maximum Music)

METAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Scratching Post: This Time it's Personal (Beastmaster Music)

POP ALBUM OF THE YEAR
The Immigrants: Out On A Limb (Awkward Music)

URBAN ALBUM OF THE YEAR
DJ Serious: Dim Sum (Sound King)

WORLD ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Puentes Brothers: Morumba Cubana (Alma/Festival)