Nielson's 12 Breakthough Indie Artists

Earlier this week Tom Silverman shared his analysis of Nielson Soundscan numbers that showed that only 14 indie and indie label artists (now reduced to 12) had sold 10,000 albums in 2008 for the first time.  These are 12 albums out of 105,575 new album releases that year. Tom will release 2009 figures at the New Music Seminar in LA on February 2nd. (Hypebot has 2 for 1 tickets.)

Critics of the analysis point out the limits of using only Nielson numbers to measure a breakthrough.A quick look at the list shows other flaws including Bon Iver who had sold more than 10K unter other monikers and STS9 who I'm sure have sold more than 10,000 copies of previous releases on the road to its large and loyal fan base.

BON IVER

• Record Label: Jagjaguwar (US/CAN)
• Album: For Emma Forever Ago  103,112

TMI BOYZ

• Record Label: TMI Entertainment
• Album: Grindin’ For a Purpose  29,119

CAS HALEY

• Record Label: CaptainHooks/ Big Karma
• Album: Cas Haley  22,580

DUKE SPIRIT

• Record Label: SHANGRILA
• Album: Neptune   19,403

EYES SET TO KILL

• Record Label: BreakSilence
• Album: Reach  16,133

PROZAK

• Record Label: Strange Music/DeadMan
• Album: Tales From the Sick 14,929

SLIGH*CHRIS

• Record Label: Brash Music
• Album: Running Back To You  14,785

REBEL SOULJAHZ

• Record Label: GO Aloha Entertainment
• Album: Nothing To Hide  14,262

BLIND PILOT

• Record Label: Expunged Records,
• Album: 3 Rounds & A Sound   11,281

MORNING BENDERS

• Record Label: +1 Records
• Album: Talking Through Tin Cans  11,201

STS9

• Record Label:  1320 Records
• Album: PEACEBLASTER    10,601

TRIP LEE

• Record Label: Reach Records
• Album:20-20  10,003