The music industry shape-shifts at the speed of light. New ideologies, new methods and new markets appear and cease in the blink of an eye, and for the modern artist to keep up with its vast rigamarole, cognisance in their own brand—musically and otherwise—holds the key. Master Peace and George Riley are two creative who excel in just this, finding their pocket and thriving within it.

Both indie-renaissance man Peace and avant-R&B trailblazer Riley have been nominated at one of the year’s most cherished music ceremonies, the AIM Independent Awards. With a focus on celebrating the artists who stand tall against the status quo and push the vitality of independence, the awards—set to take place tomorrow night (Thursday 17th October) at the iconic Roundhouse—are a staple of UK music lineage, and this year see the likes of Sampha, CASISDEAD, and Jorja Smith all procuring multiple nods.

Peace and Riley are in esteemed company among the nomination lists, and with good reason. The former’s plaudit comes in the Best Independent Video category for “I Might Be Fake”, with the gloriously chaotic dog race-set visual directed by Freddie Cattaneo an entertaining augmentation of the singer’s anthemic debut album cut. Riley’s nomination, on the other hand, is for Best Independent EP/Mixtape. “Un/limited Love”. Her latest infectious body of work sees the talent explore crevices of her sonic sensibilities, vocal prowess and lyrical approach to new depth—a concise and colourful collection of atmospheric and groovy numbers.

Ahead of the awards, Wonderland caught up with Peace and Riley to discuss their nominations, and the importance of being independent.

Watch the video for “I Might Be Fake”…

Congratulations on your nomination for Best Independent Video at AIM Awards 2024! How does it feel to be celebrated in such a manner?  
It feels insane! Never thought I’d be nominated two years in a row! Quite amazing and surprising all at the same time.

How did you work with the wider team to portray the meaning of the song through a visual lens? 
Me and my director Freddie really sat down and fleshed out the ideas to a point that we actually went to the location before the shoot day and looked at the culture of that way of living and watched how people behaved and acted so we could execute our vision. We didn’t want to be too on the nose with the video and we wanted something that portrayed British life and that was in line with the album.

If you had to pick a winner in the category apart from yourself, who are you going for?
I would pick Mitski! What a great video 

To you, what is the importance of being an independent artist in the modern industry? 
That everything you do is off your own back and when the wins like this come, it makes your job feel so much more rewarding. You feel valued. 

What is one piece of advice you’d give to an aspiring artist attempting to breakthrough independently? 
The less you have, the more you can create …

Listen to “Un/limited Love”…

Read the exclusive interview…

Congratulations on your nomination for Best Independent EP/Mixtape at AIM Awards 2024! How does it feel to be celebrated in such a manner? 
I almost never listen or think about work I’ve made after it’s been released so I’m really grateful to be forced to celebrate it lol thank you so much!

What are the main influences that shaped “Un/limited Love”?
Autonomy was huge. The opportunity to see my vision and my ideas through to the end. For the first time truly getting to call all the shots. And thematically, having autonomy over my body, sexuality and thoughts. I’m a romantic at heart and I hope it ends on an uplifting note; accepting oneself as a pathway to letting love in, in whatever form that may take.

How does the project reflect the growth of your sound and your character? 
Personally, this was a very important work for me to make. Up until this point I hadn’t thought so much about “my sound” maybe to my detriment. But with this I wanted something that represented me. It’s an expression of my true wants and desires.

To you, what is the importance of being an independent artist in the modern industry? 
Everyone can be a star no matter how niche. Weird and wonderful is back in. And thanks to the internet we all have an opportunity to find our people. 

What is one piece of advice you’d give to an aspiring artist attempting to breakthrough independently? 
Sounds counterproductive but there’s more to life than music so don’t lose your head in its pursuit. Be interested and curious about life. Don’t limit yourself. Musicians can be deeply insecure egomaniacs so make sure you find other friends to balance it out because you can’t do it alone. You need a support network of people you can laugh and love and lean on and bounce off. And also get out there and live because you’re gonna need something to write about!