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Steven Van Zandt's Wicked Cool Records Receives Multiple Nominations For Independent Music Awards

originally published: 04/14/2020

Wicked Cool Records has received an extraordinary amount of nominations for the upcoming 18th annual Independent Music Awards (IMAs). The world renowned garage rock label leads this year’s nominations with nods across all 19 music and video categories, with legendary label founder Stevie Van Zandt honored with a “Music Producer: Rock” nomination, recognizing his work on Richard and the Young Lions’ acclaimed RICHARD AND THE YOUNG LIONS: VOLUME 2.

“I am very proud of our artists evolving with every release and helping illuminate this suddenly very dark world,” says Van Zandt. “Label Managers Dennis Mortensen and Louis Arzonico do a fantastic job keeping the quality consistently high and I am thankful to Richard Gottehrer and everyone at the Orchard for the great job they do. We are grateful to the Independent Music Awards for acknowledging our work.”

Wicked Cool recording artist Jesse Malin was among the IMAs’ most honored artists, scoring wide-ranging nominations for an array of releases, including “Album: Americana,” honoring his acclaimed SUNSET KIDS, “Song: Americana,” for “Room 13 (Feat. Lucinda Williams),” and a “Song: Indie/Alt. Rock” nod for “Strangers & Thieves (Feat. Billie Joe Armstrong).” Furthermore, Lucinda Williams & Tom Overby (Producers) and Geoff Sanoff & Michael Iurato (Executive Producers) received a “Music Producer: Roots/Country” nomination for SUNSET KIDS.

The Coolies received an “EP: Rock” nod for UH OH! IT’S… THE COOLIES, while the late Kim Shattuck shares a “Music Producer: Rock” nomination with the band for their co-production work on the EP. In addition, Louis Arzonico earned a “Design: Album Packaging” nod for his contribution to UH OH! IT’S… THE COOLIES. 

The Dollyrots received an “Album: Indie/Alt. Rock” nomination for DAYDREAM EXPLOSION as well as a “Song: Rock/Hard Rock” nod for “Everything.” The band also share a “Music Producer: Rock” nomination with John Fields, honoring their work on DAYDREAM EXPLOSION.




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In addition to Van Zandt’s aforementioned “Music Producer: Rock” nomination, Richard and the Young Lions earned an “Album: Rock/Hard Rock” nomination for RICHARD AND THE YOUNG LIONS: VOLUME 2.

Ryan Hamilton and The Harlequin Ghosts picked up a “Album: Indie/Alt. Rock” nomination for THIS IS THE SOUND as well as a “Song: Indie/Alt. Rock” nod for the album’s title track, “This Is the Sound.”

Palmyra Delran and the Doppel Gang’s COME SPY WITH ME earned an “Album: Indie/Alt. Rock” nomination, with Fred Lammers receiving a “Design Album Art/Photography” nod for his work on the LP.

Additional “Song: Rock/Hard Rock” nominations include Soraia’s “Evergreen“ and Wyldlife’s “Neon Nightmare.” 

Last, but certainly not least, the Jellybricks earned a “Short Form Video: Concept/Experimental” nomination for “Brooklyn.”

As if all that wasn’t enough, an assortment of Wicked Cool’s nominated releases were named among the IMAs’ Vox Pop selection, allowing registered IMA Fans to vote for their favorite song and video projects. Voting runs through Thursday, April 23rd – to register, please visit fans.independentmusicawards.com

Now in its 18th year, the Independent Music Awards, produced by Music Resource Group, honors the exceptional work of indie creatives from around the globe. The planet’s most diverse music awards program honors artistry and daring rather than streams and social reach, and celebrates everything that makes indie music authentic and unique.




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Originally scheduled for June in New York City, the 18th annual Independent Music Awards ceremony will proceed as an online showcase for this year’s top-ranked artists and music projects. Further details and a new announcement schedule will be released in the days ahead. For complete details, please visit independentmusicawards.com



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