Mitski, Caroline Polachek, Killer Mike and Sufjan Stevens Receive Praise at 2024 A2IM Libera Awards

Thania Garcia

11 June 2024 at 1:06 pm·3-min read

Mitski’s “The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We (Dead Oceans)” was crowned record of the year at the 2024 Libera Awards on Monday night. The 13th iteration of the show, presented by A2IM (The American Association of Independent Music, Inc.), took place at Gotham Hall in New York City.

Previous record of the year winners include Japanese Breakfast, Arctic Monkeys, Bon Iver, Arcade Fire, Alabama Shakes, the War on Drugs, Big Thief, Phoebe Bridgers and the 2023 winner, Wet Leg. The American Association of Independent Music, better known as A2IM, is a not-for-profit trade association that represents independent music recording owners.

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Caroline Polachek’s “Desire, I Want To Turn Into You (Perpetual Novice)” was named the best self-released record of 2024, and also took home the award for best alternative rock record. American indie rock musician Blondshell was the breakthrough artist winner, and rock group Idles won best music video for their vibrant song “Dancer.”

Additional honorees include Killer Mike, who won best hip-hop/rap record for his Grammy-winning “Michael,” and Sufjan Stevens, who won best folk record for “Javelin.” See the complete list below.

A2IM’s annual A2IM Indie Week conference begins Tuesday, and runs through June 13 at the InterContinental New York Times Square.

2024 Libera Awards Winners List:

Record of the Year
Mitski – The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We (Dead Oceans)

Breakthrough Artist presented by Virgin Music Group
Blondshell (Partisan Records)

Music Video of the Year
IDLES – “Dancer” (Partisan Records)

Self-Released Record of the Year
Caroline Polachek – Desire, I Want To Turn Into You (Perpetual Novice)

Label of the Year (5 or fewer employees)
True Panther

Label of the Year (6-14 employees)
Light in the Attic

Label of the Year (15 or more employees)
Partisan Records

Independent Champion presented by Merlin
Bandcamp

Distributor of the Year
Redeye Worldwide

Publisher of the Year
Secretly Publishing

Best Alternative Rock Record
Caroline Polachek – Desire, I Want To Turn Into You (Perpetual Novice)

Best American Roots Record
MJ Lenderman – “Rudolph” (ANTI)

Best Blues Record
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram – Live In London (Alligator Records)

Best Classical Record
Hauschka – Philanthropy (City Slang)

Best Country Record
Margo Price – Strays (Loma Vista Recordings)

Best Dance Record
Romy – Mid Air (Young)

Best Electronic Record
Yaeji – With A Hammer (XL Recordings)

Best Folk Record
Sufjan Stevens – Javelin (Asthmatic Kitty Records)

Best Global Record presented by Redeye Worldwide
WITCH – Zango (Desert Daze Sound)

Best Heavy Record
Model/Actriz – Dogsbody (True Panther)

Best Hip-Hop/Rap Record
Killer Mike – MICHAEL (Loma Vista Recordings)

Best Jazz Record
John Carroll Kirby – Blowout (Stones Throw Records)

Best Latin Record
Helado Negro – “LFO (Lupe Finds Oliveros)” (4AD)

Best Outlier Record
L’Rain – I Killed Your Dog (Mexican Summer)

Best Pop Record
Samia – Honey (Grand Jury Music)

Best Punk Record
Mannequin Pussy – “I Got Heaven” (Epitaph)

Best R&B Record
Sampha – Lahai (Young)

Best Record From Games and Interactive Media
HEALTH – “HATEFUL” (Loma Vista Recordings)

Best Reissue
De La Soul – 3 Feet High & Rising (AOI Records/Chrysalis Records)

Best Remix
Sudan Archives, ODESZA – “Selfish Soul (ODESZA Remix)” (Stones Throw under exclusive license to Foreign Family Collective/Ninja Tune)

Best Rock Record
Blondshell – Blondshell (Partisan Records)

Best Short-Form Video
IDLES – “Grace” Teaser (Partisan Records)

Best Singer-Songwriter Record
Angel Olsen – Forever Means (Jagjaguwar)

Best Soul/Funk Record
Betty Davis – Crashin’ From Passion (Light in the Attic)

Best Spiritual Record
Blind Boys of Alabama – Echoes of the South (Single Lock Records)

Best Sync Usage
Refused – “New Noise” in The Bear (Season 2) (Epitaph)

Creative Packaging
De La Soul – 3 Feet High & Rising (AOI Records/Chrysalis Records)

Marketing Genius
De La Soul – De La Soul Catalog Release (AOI Records/Chrysalis Records)

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