Qing-Yang Xiao, from Taiwan, has won the Best Album Packaging at the 11th Annual Independent Music Awards for his design of Nancy Chen‘s After 75 Years Album.

DESCRIBE YOUR NOMINATED WORK: 57 years ago, Macy’s grandfather left his family behind, boarding a boat in Keelung port in Taiwan heading for Osaka in Japan in pursuit of his dream as a jazz saxophonist, and he died there….75 years later, Macy, disappointed at her career as backup vocalist in Taiwan, decided to follow his grandfather’s footstep. She hopped on a plane, all alone, going to New York to pursuit her dream to make jazz music. Thus born the record After 75 Years. When I heard of this story, I realized this record is not just about music. It is also dream, memory, and passion. It is a journey across time and place, linked by family bond that was translated into 6 letters that travelled through the time and music. The envelops, stamps, papers, boats, pen handwriting, Japanese and Chinese characters, photos, and the last email. All of the proof that told the hidden secrets of the family touched me immensely and let me sink into deep thoughts. The one-year-and-half work was enjoyable, especially because it gave me a chance for the first time to fly from Asia to New York to bask in the soulful jazz music of local jazz bars. Only then did I realize the feeling of Macy’s grandfather when he embarked on that lonely trip chasing after his dream.

Company Of Thieves, JD McPherson, Girl In A Coma, Birdy Nam Nam, Pokey LaFarge And The South City Three, Scott Biram, Spottiswoode & His Enemies, Amy Correia, The Wilders, Michael Torke, The Soul Of John Black, and The LeBoeuf Brothers are among the diverse self-released and independent label talent named today by Music Resource Group (MRG) as the Judge-determined Winners of The 11th Independent Music Awards (The IMAs), the influential international awards program for independent bands and fans.

The Winners in more than 70 Album, Song, Music Video and Design categories winnowed from thousands of submissions from around the globe, were determined by a panel of influential artists and music industry pros including Keith Richards, Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan, Del McCoury, Ozzy Osbourne, Bettye LaVette, Jim Lauderdale, Joshua Redman, Shelby Lynne, Kevin Lyman (Warped Tour), Alan Light (Live From The Artists Den), Jason Olaine (Jazz At Lincoln Center), and Evan Schlansky (American Songwriter).

For the first time in The IMAs 11-year history, Judges declared a tie in 2 Album categories. A Passing Glimpse”, the latest LP from Pharis and Jason Romero, and “Middle Of Everywhere” by Pokey LaFarge And The South City 3 earned top honors for their Americana Albums; and in the Indie/Alt. Rock Album category, the latest Company Of Thieves album “Running From A Gamble” tied for the winning spot with Girl In A Coma’s album “Exits And All The Rest.”

Artists and record labels honored in multiple IMA categories include: Birdy Nam Nam, CeCe Teneal, Smithsonian Folkways Records and Free Dirt Records.

“With winning entries from the United States, Canada, France, Israel, Australia, Mali, Ukraine, Egypt, Norway, Colombia, Taiwan and the UK, this is the most diverse mix of international, independent artists in the program’s history,” said Martin Folkman, Executive Director, The Independent Music Awards. “Whether it’s from break out acts such as JD McPherson, Alexandre Desilets, and The Carper Family, or more established artists like Girl In A Coma, The Wilders, Michael Torke, Company Of Thieves, and Spottiswoode And His Enemies, independently released music delights in taking risks and winning over new fans.”

Details and complete list of Winners, Nominees and Judges available at: www.TheIndependentMusicAwards.com. ‘)}