Since starting to work on the AIM Independent Music Awards a couple of years ago, it hasn't escaped my attention that every time a list of music award nominees is published, a large-scale debate and healthy amount of criticism and cynicism inevitably follows. I suspect this is because of the subjective nature of music; the concept of judging it is arguably flawed.
Nothing really prepares you for the moment you enter the Olympic Stadium for the first time. Being 15 feet away from an ecstatic audience jumping off the door ledge of my van and throwing my moves to Madness, Blur, Pet Shop Boys and One Direction circling on trucks behind me was immense - and yes, I did get carried away in the moment, who wouldn't!?
We could feel that Camden was different than anything we knew in California. Southern California was hot and bright, the Santa Anna winds dried out your skin and messed up your hair. I was using SPF 50 and had my hair cut like Justine from Elastica. I didn't fit in to say the least. But when I was in Camden I felt like I finally fit in.