July 13, 2010

By By Howell Llewellyn, Madrid

Delorean (Mushroom Pillow) took the Spanish artist of the year award at the Independent Music Awards held by indie label association UFI in Madrid.

La Bien Querida (Elefant Records) lifted two prizes - best album of the year for "Romancero" and best new artist.

Hip-hop label BOA Music was voted best label, while its artist SFDK won the best hip-hop album award for "Siempre Fuertes 2." The best graphic design award went to Ivius for the album cover of "La Caja" by BOA artist Tote King.

Song of the year was "Erasmus Borrachas" by Francisco Nixon (Nuevos Medios), while best international artist was the xx from the U.K.

Mexico was the guest country this year, and Mexican artist of the year was Instituto Mexicano del Sonido (El Vulcan in Spain). Best pop album was won by Sunday Drivers with "The End of Maiden Trip" (Mushroom Pillow), while best rock album was "The Neighbourhood" by Tokyo Sex Destruction (B-Core).

The best Spanish music festival award was given to Monkey Week, while Artica Booking Agency won best concert promoter award. The best concert hall award was won by Barcelona's Apolo venue.

Fifty thousand people voted for the awards, says UFI president Mark Kitcatt. The July 12 awards presentation was followed by an open-air party.

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