The Independent Music Awards, presented by U.S.-based Musical Resource Group, announced this year’s winners on the program’s official website April 28, with seven artists from Taiwan earning top spots out of over a thousand submissions from 73 countries.
Coming in first for best song in the metal/hardcore category was homegrown band FUTURE AFTER A SECOND with its single “Invert” from the album “OFiN.” The four-man group from Taipei City explores Taiwan’s international status and political issues through technically complex compositions featuring heavy distortion and powerful riffs.
Award-winning albums included “Symphojazz” by renowned jazz fusion band Skyline in the category of best live performance and the “Fantastic Creatures” original soundtrack by Ian Chen for best film, TV or game score.
Taiwan was also represented in the design category, with Li Jheng-han, Chen Hsin-hung and Tai Hsiao-yin taking first in album packaging. The trio crafted the artwork for Emerge House Band’s “Time,” juxtaposing dark elements of Taiwan’s past with symbols of its bright future on the album’s cover.
Other design awards went to Ye Fong-yau, who won best artist concert photo for his shot of Japanese punk band Brahman performing at 2019’s Fireball Festival held in the northern city of Taoyuan, and Tsai Hsien-chen, who earned best music promo poster for Amazing Show’s “The Great Paradisiacal Mountain” concert.
A-Flight tied for first in animation/stop-motion short form video with the audio for a film promoting the 2019 Golden Bell Awards, the nation’s foremost broadcasting honors, sharing the award with Brian Shankar Adler’s jazz music video “Mantra.”
The IMAs have been celebrating accomplished indie music projects since the program was established in 2000. A panel of experienced musicians and industry experts selects winners for top albums, songs, EPs, music producers, designs, and short and long form videos. (TYT-E)
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