And so many of the kinds of labels you get stuck with don't really tell the story; Progressive, Art Rock, Noise Music, Downtown - it ends up being a struggle to stay out of debates that other people are having around you.

The prize was establiFred Frithd in 2005 in honour of experimental vocalist Demetrio Stratos of the Italian group Area who died in 1979. Frith was also a member of Art Bears Massacre and Skeleton Crew. Currently Frith is Professor of Composition in the Music Department at Mills College in Oakland California.