This year’s AIM Independent Music Awards 2013 have announced that they’ll be honouring Geoff Travis, the founder of the Rough Trade label, with their Pioneer Award, following previous recipients Daniel Miller and Laurence Bell.
After opening his first Rough Trade shop in Ladbroke Grove, London in 1976, Travis went on to set up Rough Trade Records, signing The Smiths, The Fall and Cabaret Voltaire among others. Financial difficulties called a halt to proceedings in the following decade, though Travis, along with Jeanette Lee, formerly of Public Image Ltd., re-animated the label in 1999, signing The Strokes, Antony & The Johnsons and Quietus favourites British Sea Power in the process and setting up two further shops in London and one in New York.
Says Travis of the award: "There is not much that betters having respect from your peers. So thank you AIM!"
The awards ceremony will be held on September 3 at The Brewery in Clerkenwell, London, with tQ’s Luke Turner once again taking up position on the judging panel.
One of Travis’ first signings to Rough Trade, Scritti Politti, will be playing a set for AIM, with support from Butcher Boy and Trapped Mice, on July 4 at the 229 on Great Portland Street – get hold of tickets here.
