PLUG Independent Music Awards set for March

It's no secret that the mainstream awards season is a tightly-scripted straightaway leading from Dullsville to instant catatonia. No, sorry, not even Jon Stewart can save the old behemoth. It will continue to lurch along the red carpet toward oblivion. We should all accept this.

Much as the bands that they celebrate, the PLUG Independent Music Awards provide a refreshing alternative to the hypestorm that surrounds your average Hollywood extravaganza. Since 2001, the awards have celebrated artists like the TV on the Radio, Band of Horses and Sufjan Stevens, as well as media outlets like Pitchforkmedia.com, Brooklyn Vegan and some rag called Paste.

The details on PLUG '08 are as precious as they are few right now: the annual awards ceremony and concert are set for March 6 somewhere in New York City. The festival's news release also mentions a PLUG City Highlights tour leading up to the big event, hitting Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago and Brooklyn. No hosts or performers have been named, and the list of nominees doesn't arrive until Nov. 13. So sit tight, folks. We'll keep you up to date on all of the fun, even if the amazingly talented and good-looking members of the selections committee don't nominate our humble little publication.

Related links:
PLUGAwards.com
Stereogum: 2007 PLUG Awards winners
YouTube: J Dilla - 2007 PLUG Awards Artist of the Year

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