Pitchfork

When we look back on the state of indie rock in 2006, it's going to appear very dreamy, jangly, and fuzzy--at least according to the PLUG Awards. The annual event honoring the previous year's best in independent music has announced the nominations for PLUG 2007, and Seattle's Band of Horses and Los Angeles' Silversun Pickups lead the charge with seven nods each. They will compete for honors such as Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year with the likes of Beirut, Belle and Sebastian, Cat Power, Girl Talk, Grizzly Bear, J Dilla, Joanna Newsom, Neko Case, the Hold Steady, and the Knife.

PLUG also celebrates the best in various genres (hip-hop, metal, Americana, punk, electronic/dance, etc.), extra-musical aspects such as music videos, album packaging, record labels, and concert venues, as well as many media categories, including Record Store of the Year, Radio Station of the Year, Magazine of the Year, and Music Website of the Year (ahem).

The PLUG nominations have been chosen by a group of artists, journalists, label employees, and other music industry insiders (including, yes, myself and several other Pitchfork staffers). The winners, however, are chosen by YOU. Anyone can vote, from today through January 26, 2007, at the PLUG website. The PLUG Awards Ceremony will take place at NYC's Irving Plaza on February 10, 2007.

As previously reported, the PLUG organization is building excitement for the big day by hosting the PLUG City Highlights Tour, taking place in cities across North America in the months leading up to February 10. Events have already taken place in Miami, Austin, and Toronto, with plans for shindigs in Brooklyn, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Detroit, Brooklyn, and Portland, OR, in the works. In fact, the Brooklyn event will occur this Friday, November 17, at the Syrup Room, featuring performances by local bands the Harlem Shakes, Takka Takka, Dragons of Zynth, and Illinois.

So get to voting! But please, for the love of god, stay away from Silversun Pickups.