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”
