April Smith takes home an Independent Music Award

Winners of the eighth annual Independent Music Awards were announced Thursday (Jan. 15), and Toms River-bred singer/songwriter April Smith found herself in the winner's circle, alongside artists such as Martin Sexton, Dengue Fever and Jeff Healey.

Smith was awarded in the category of best pop/rock song for her track "Colors," a live version of which was released in 2008 on her "Live from the Penthouse EP." The EP was also nominated for an IMA in the category of best live album.

In an interview with Metromix Jersey Shore last year, Smith discussed "Colors" and addressed speculation that the bouncy song was about U.S. troops overseas.

"You know what's funny? It's not (about the troops), actually. If you listen to the lyrics, it never says anything about fighting or about coming back from battle or whatever," Smith said. "It's (about) someone far away, but I guess it's got that feel, kind of like an old-timey feel, but it's also like the perfect song for somebody who's far away, somebody who's overseas and it just sort of fell into this whole thing.

"I know some people who are overseas fighting and they're like, ‘This song is the best,' it's so different from every other song that they send to the troops because it's not like a ballad or a sad, sappy kind of song. It's so upbeat and hopeful, and I guess their favorite thing about it is it's a feel-good song and it's definitely not your average ‘salute to the troops' kind of song, but it definitely works in that respect. ... I'm happy that they're liking it and hopefully they'll get to come home to it one day."

According to a news release, the IMAs support artists and releases traditionally underserved by mass media and big box retailers with yearlong marketing, distribution and performance initiatives. A judging panel which included former Jackson resident Zakk Wylde, Peter Gabriel, Roger Daltrey, Keith Urban and Butch Walker determined this year's winners.

"Anyone who follows the music industry knows that the most exciting and diverse new music is being created by independent artists," said IMA Director Martin Folkman in the news release. "IMA winners and finalists truly represent the range of today's vibrant indie scene and include artists who previously recorded for major labels, artists currently on indie labels and self-released talent in a wide spectrum of genres from contemporary classical to heavy metal and everything in between."

Smith's live schedule includes a show next Wednesday (Jan. 21) at the Goldhawk in Hoboken as a part of the first installment of the northern edition of singer/songwriter Rick Barry's "A Night in Progress" series. Also set to perform are Barry, Val Emmich, Chris Batten and the Fave.