AGNES OBEL SCOOPS IMPALA EUROPEAN INDEPENDENT ALBUM OF THE YEAR AWARD WITH CITIZEN OF GLASS
Danish singer-songwriter Agnes Obel is the winner of this year’s IMPALA European Independent album of the year award with her album Citizen of Glass. She succeeds artists such as Caribou, José Gonzalez, Adele or The xx.
25 ARTISTS UP FOR BEST INDEPENDENT ALBUM OF THE YEAR IN EUROPE
IMPALA has now revealed its shortlist of nominees for the seventh edition of the IMPALA Album of the Year Award. Once again the selection underlines the diversity and quality of independent labels from all over Europe. 25 albums are nominated and nineteen countries are represented this year.
IMPALA WELCOMES EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT CALL FOR A COHERENT EU STRATEGY FOR CULTURE
The European Parliament adopted today a report calling on the European Commission to develop a “comprehensive, coherent and long-term industrial policy framework for the cultural and creative sectors”.
“PLUS 1 – REFUGEES WELCOME!” RECEIVES IMPALA OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARD
Since October 2015, the “Plus 1 – Refugees welcome!” campaign has been collecting donations in Berlin’s nightlife for aid projects for refugees. In recognition of the initiative and as an encouragement for similar campaigns in Europe, IMPALA Executive Chairwoman Helen Smith presented the campaign with the Outstanding Contribution Award 2016 in Berlin yesterday. This is only the second time a project has won this award after Label Love (UK) in 2011.
TOWARDS A FAIR AND COMPETITIVE LICENSING MARKET: IMPALA COMMENTS ON EC COPYRIGHT PROPOSAL
IMPALA shares its views on the EC’s proposal for a new Directive on copyright, published today. Part of a wider strategy to reinforce Europe’s digital market, this proposal covers a range of sectors, including music where independent companies are at the forefront.
IMPALA SLAMS EU’S DECISION TO CLEAR SONY’S BUYOUT OF SONY/ATV
Today the European Commission has decided to clear Sony’s buyout of the late Michael Jackson estate’s shares in Sony/ATV.
This decision follows a preliminary investigation during which the Commission examined the views of customers and competitors.
THIS AUTUMN WILL BE CRITICAL FOR THE CREATIVE & CULTURAL SECTORS IN EUROPE
After a busy period for the cultural and creative sectors, we’re looking forward to the summer break. Yet we’re well aware that some people in Brussels will still be hard at work, putting the final touches to the Commission’s plans for its second package of copyright-related proposals.
FURTHER CONCERNS OVER “TRANSFORMATIVE” SONY/SONYATV TRANSACTION RAISED IN BRUSSELS
As the European Commission reaches a key stage in its investigation into Sony’s buy out of the Michael Jackson estate’s shares in Sony/ATV, independent music companies renew their call for a tough stance to be taken.
THIS MONTH’S FIVEUNDERFIFTEEN BECOMES SIXUNDERFIFTEEN
This is the final edition of the FIVEUNDERFIFTEEN campaign showcasing top labels 15 years young or younger. Since the beginning of the campaign in March, each month five European young labels are featured in The Independent Echo but this month’s selection is unique because it includes an additional label from the United States.
ARTISTS CALL ON THE EU TO FIX THE VALUE GAP
Over 1,000 artists (update: new signatories have been added, the list now numbers almost 1,300 artists) have written to EU President Juncker asking him to close what is known as the “value gap” (see letter and list of artists here). Artists across the world are increasingly vocal about YouTube and other platforms “siphoning value”.