True Alternative Artists Score at The Grammys

True alternative music is not typically the most recognized subset of music at mainstream awards shows like The Grammys. That’s okay, because the purpose of alternative music is usually not recognition from the industry. Even though that may be the case with many artists we play on RSU Radio, it is always great to validate our love for these bands with some national recognition.

Artists like Arcade Fire, Courtney Barnett, and Gnarls Barkley have walked away with big, and sometimes surprising nights at the annual awards show. This year may not have provided any surprises in the biggest categories, but plenty of alternative artists were nominated and honored throughout the night. Unsurprisingly, David Bowie walked away with four awards associated with his final album Blackstar. Sturgill Simpson may not have picked up Album of the Year, but A Sailor’s Guide to Earth did walk away with Country Album of the Year in a time when pop country is much more commercially successful.

We are proud to play everyone from the latest local bands to Grammy winners who have that true alternative sound and spirit. Here are the RSU Radio artists who made an impact at The 59th Annual Grammy Awards.

David Bowie – Best Alternative Album, Best Rock Song, Best Recording Package, and Best Engineered Album winner

Sturgill Simpson – Country Album of Year winner and Album of Year nominee

Cage the Elephant – Best Rock Album winner

William Bell – Best Americana Album winner

Bob Moses – Best Dance Recording nominee

Sofie Tukker – Best Dance Recording nominee

Tycho – Best Dance/Electronic Album nominee

Baroness – Best Metal Performance nominee

Radiohead – Best Alternative Music Album nominee, Best Rock Song nominee for “Burn the Witch”

Bon Iver – Best Alternative Music Album nominee

William Bell – Best Traditional R & B Album nominee

Avett Brothers – Best American Roots Performance, Best Americana Album nominee

Jack White ‘City Lights’ – Best American Roots Song nominee

Luther Dickinson – Best Traditional Blues album nominee

The Record Company – Best Contemporary Blues album nominee

Parquet Courts – Best Recording Package nominee

Bon Iver – Best Recording Package nominee

Andrew Bird – Best Engineered Album nominee

Leon Bridges – Best Music Video nominee for “River”

Jamie XX – Best music video nominee for “Gosh”

Ok Go – Best music video nominee for “Upside Down and Inside Out”