They’ve been around for less than a decade, but the Independent Music Awards always seem to get a few famous judges to help draw attention to the contest. For this year’s events, Tom Waits and his songwriting partner/wife Kathleen Brennan are returning as judges, as well as one of the most random groups of music stars you could come up with.
She & Him (Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward) start off the list on the contest’s website, which includes Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz, Blink 182’s Mark Hoppus, Hanson, Korn’s Brian “Head” Welch, The Black Keys, Aimee Mann, and others.
I’m not really sure how big of a splash winning an Independent Music Award will make these days, but they do have open submissions and getting Tom Waits to listen to your stuff is a pretty good opportunity in my book.