To be honest, we were pretty unfamiliar with the PLUG Independent Music Awards till we noticed two locals on the ballot: our fave soft-rock band Midlake and our fave local music blogger Gorilla vs. Bear. So, what are the, uh, PIMAs? Well, says on the site, "PLUG is about the independent music community coming together to recognize our own. We're fans from every walk of the music world who gather together each year to celebrate these artists who live and flourish in the margins." We'll just assume that's not as backhanded a compliment as it sounds.
Midlake's up for three awards: Indie Rock Album of the Year (The Trials of Van Occupanther), Song of the Year ("Roscoe") and Music Video of the Year (the astounding "Young Bride"). In the Indie Rock Album category, the band's up against the likes of Belle & Sebastian (The Life Pursuit), Tapes 'N Tapes (The Loon) and vets Yo La Tengo (I Am Not Afraid Of You And I Will Beat Your Ass). The Song of the Year category's a tough one too, featuring contributions from the critically adored likes of Arctic Monkeys ("I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor") and Band Of Horses ("The Funeral"). Ain't no slouches in the video nominations either: Cat Power, Eagles of Death Metal, Wolf Parade and I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness, which I swear I heard the missus say to me as she walked out the door this morning.
GvsB is up for, der, Music Blog of the Year, competing against such essential daily visits as Fluxblog, Largehearted Boy, My Old Kentucky Blog and Stereogum. GvsB's Chris Cantalini's also part of the blogger posse nominated in the Specialty Show Of The Year (Commercial Radio); he's among those hosting and programming SIRIUS Satellite Radio's Blog Radio show. (We're not sure how this qualifies as "commercial radio," but whatever.) So feel free to stuff the ballot box. And while you're doing that, here's a remix of Midlake's "Young Brides," given the moody, Moogy once-over by former Thompson Twin, Psychedelic Furs and Cure keyboardist Roger O'Donnell. Mellow, yo. --Robert Wilonsky
