2008 PLUG INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS ANNOUNCE NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS TO HEADLINE THIS YEAR’S AWARDS SHOW IN NEW YORK ON MARCH 6

Press Release Content:
DT:     FEBRUARY 4, 2008
FR:     ALEXANDRA GREENBERG/SHAZILA MOHAMMED, MSO

The PLUG INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS will be headlined by the legendary NICK CAVE AND THE BAD SEEDS. This year’s show–taking place at Terminal 5 in New York on March 6–will see the esteemed band join previously announced performers St. Vincent and Jose Gonzalez and host Patton Oswalt. PLUG co-founder Gerry Hart says, "Having Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds perform at PLUG has been a dream of ours since Amaechi (Uzoigwe, co-founder) and I started PLUG." Additionally, seminal U.K.-based rapper and Mercury Prize winner DIZZEE RASCAL–whose Maths and English LP is nominated for "Best Hip Hop Album"–has been confirmed to perform.

The PLUG AWARDS were founded to highlight outstanding accomplishments within the independent music community, and has been exemplified by (Australian Recording Industry Hall of Fame inductee) Nick Cave’s rich history and influence upon the music landscape. In addition to performing, Cave will accept the 2008 PLUG Impact Award which honors his influence on the independent music community through his exceptional work and career. Last year’s Impact Award was presented to Stephen Malkmus (Pavement, Silver Jews and solo career).

The appearance by NICK CAVE AND THE BAD SEEDS coincides with the release of the band’s fourteenth studio album Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!, out April 8 on Anti Records. The set has Cave recording most of the songs on organ as opposed to his usual piano; Warren Ellis playing guitar, 12-string lute and electric mandolin; Mick Harvey on guitar; Thomas Wydler on drums and percussion; Martyn Casey on bass; Conway Savage on piano and vocals; Jim Sclavunos on drums, percussion and vocals; and James Johnston on guitar and organ. Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!! follows Cave’s 2007 debut self-titled album with his band Grinderman, who have received PLUG nominations for “Song of the Year” ("No Pussy Blues”) and “Album Art/Packaging of the Year,” and Cave received a nod as “Male Artist of the Year.”

This year’s PLUG AWARDS will have amplified online presence as they partner with DELL. The Dell Lounge (www.DellLounge.com) is supporting the independent spirit by becoming an integral part of the 2008 PLUG INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS and will be simulcasting the awards live via the Dell Lounge site. Dell’s presence at the PLUG AWARDS celebrates the personal computer as the enabler of making, discovering, sharing and influencing music and enhancing entertainment lifestyle.

For those unable to attend the event, pre-registration to watch the live broadcast of the show “Live From The Dell Lounge” is open now. Visit www.delllounge.com/plugawards for details. DellLounge.com will also be releasing three videos leading up to the show featuring past and present nominees and winners and starring comedian Michael Showalter.

“PLUG is incredibly excited about this partnership with Dell Lounge and sees Dell’s expanded commitment to providing fans with rich original content via the Lounge as a significant opportunity for the independent music community in 2008," says Gerry Hart.  "Dell Lounge is clearly showing itself to be a true ally of the independent artist and throughout the year an increasingly relevant destination for discovering emerging talent–a welcome member to the community.”

Adding to the online components of the awards show is PLUG’s expanded involvement with OURSTAGE.COM. As previously announced, for each PLUG voter who registers for the Ourstage.com community, $2 will go to the Grameen Foundation’s unique fight to end poverty (http://www.ourstage.com/go/grameen). Grameen Foundation’s mission is to empower the poorest of the poor to lift themselves out of poverty through its support of microfinance, commonly known as "banking for the poor.” With tiny loans, savings and technology, the foundation helps the poorest of the poor, mostly women, start self-sustaining businesses, to escape poverty. As a borrower’s business grows, so does her self-esteem and her family’s well-being.
 
 “OurStage strives to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the most deserving," shares Ben Campbell, CEO of OurStage, "whether it be helping up-and-coming artists achieve critical success or partnering with indie trendsetters like PLUG in supporting constructive initiatives like the Grameen Foundation's micro-financing campaign in the quest to end one of the greatest evils facing the world today–poverty.”
 
PLUG and OurStage.com have hosted a series of regional contests this season that have allowed local artists a chance to compete for a spot to perform at the New York City PLUG Awards on March 6. The contest is now open nationally and bands around the country are invited to register at http://www.ourstage.com/go/plug08 where they can upload a song and image. Fans can then log on to the site and vote for their favorite artist.  The winner will perform at the PLUG Awards.

Tickets for this year’s show will go on sale to the public this Friday, February 8. As a patron and supporter of the independent music community and as a show of its continuing commitment to fans, Dell Lounge is now making it possible for fans to purchase tickets (originally priced at $25 tickets) for just $10 to see this incredible show. Fans can pick up the discounted tickets via www.delllounge.com/plugawards.

Voting for the 2008 PLUG AWARDS is open to fans everywhere online at www.plugawards.com and will continue until February 15, 2008.

For more information on the PLUG Independent Music Awards, contact:
MSO 818-380-0400
Alexandra Greenberg x223, agreenberg@msopr.com
Shazila Mohammed x238, shazila@msopr.com

Press Release Teaser:
2008 PLUG INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS ANNOUNCE NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS TO HEADLINE THIS YEAR’S AWARDS SHOW IN NEW YORK ON MARCH 6; DIZZEE RASCAL ALSO CONFIRMED TO PERFORM ; TICKETS GO ON SALE THIS WEEK