So today was pretty fun times as we got announced as one of the final five nominees in the industry AIM awards for the best ‘small’ label In the UK. Quite an honour, as we’ve been matched up with the behemoth of Xtra Mile (Frank Turner, Future of the Left and The Xcerts presumably made their application look pretty hot), those strapping gentlemen from Pink Mist – and Black Butter and Brainfeeder who are pretty massive deals in their respective spheres.
I’m not sure if we’ll win, but I have sent the judges the JoFo sticker album, GFT watch and various other paraphernalia – so even if we don’t pick up the coveted funny robot award thing, at least I know they’ll be looking handsome of wrist and getting right back onside with Panini 
It is a bit weird. Alcopop! never begun with the intention of getting involved with awards or trying to show off to the wider industry/cool people like you who actually buy records/ downloads and support indie artists – but when the chance came along to get involved, it was something we just couldn’t turn down. I mean, first off, the AIM chaps seem cracking… A genuinely good bunch with indie music at heart – and secondly, I think there’s free booze involved!
More than that though, it does seem that all music awards ever are aimed at the industry elite (which is understandable I guess. What well-meaning televisual audience would sit down to watch a bunch of indie kids get drunk and talk about T-Shirt sizes – A bearded editor once rated an animated discussion between Kev, Raz Thrash Hits and I on that very subject the worst conversation he’d ever witnessed.. He was probably right!) – but there’s very little love for people who haven’t sold tens of thousands of units, or are being hyped to fuck by big grinding PR machines.
Now I know I’m focussing on the ‘more niche’ end of these awards – there’s some serious household (and well worthy) names involved elsewhere in the nominations (Adele/The Prodigy/ Frank Turner/ 4AD).. But it’s great to see they’ve done their homework and picked out some people who really are championing independent music. Katie P from Kerrang (thank you for many features), Olli Dutton the Helen Love loving radio plugger who did so well for Stagecoach – and Truck Festival to name but a few.
So yeah, in a nutshell, we’re pretty stoked to be nominated for the AIM awards, and to put said nutshell in a bigger nutshell (and on a serious note) it’s pretty much all down to the awesome people (YOU!) who buy our releases, get involved with our shows and generally keep the label alive – as well as all of the incredible bands who let us put out their records. It’s always been a key thing for us to remember that no one owes us anything, or should feel obliged to listen to the stuff we put out (I hate it when people have a go at their friends on twitter for not buying records/ supporting them) – so it just makes it more awesome everytime you do!
So I guess that this is really just a strong time to reflect on what’s happened, and basically say a massive thank you to all of you for sticking with us. Next time I see you, the Hooch is on me yeh xx
Lv Jack pOp
