2008 PLUG INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS ANNOUNCE PATTON OSWALT TO HOST AND NOMINEES JOSE GONZALEZ AND ST. VINCENT TO PERFORM

Press Release Content:
DT: JANUARY 11, 2008

FR: ALEXANDRA GREENBERG/SHAZILA MOHAMMED

The line-up for the PLUG INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS–founded to highlight outstanding accomplishments within the independent music community–is now taking shape with initial confirmed performers Jose Gonzalez and St. Vincent.  Presented in association with The Bowery Presents, the awards will be held at Terminal 5 in New York City Thursday, March 6 and comedian Patton Oswalt has signed on to host this year’s show.

In addition to lending his voice to the lead character of the 2007 hit animated film Ratatouille, host Patton Oswalt is known for his work with his comedy troupe The Comedians of Comedy, who have performed at indie-music clubs across the country, as well as major U.S. music festivals known for showcasing up-and-coming talent including SXSW, Coachella and Bonnaroo. In 2007, Oswalt also released his second comedy album Werewolves and Lollipops (Sub Pop) which was nominated for a PLUG Award in the Album Art/Packaging category.

Sweden-born singer-songwriter Jose Gonzalez released his second album In Our Nature (Mute) in 2007 and is nominated for three awards–“Male Artist of the Year,” “Americana Album of the Year” and “Music Video of the Year.” Gonzalez has appeared on The Late Show with Conan O’Brien and Jimmy Kimmel Live in support of the album and he recently partnered with Reverb to “green” his upcoming tour, which kicks off on February 29 in Miami.

St. Vincent–also know as Annie Clark–released her debut album Marry Me (Beggars Banquet) to critical acclaim last year. Known initially for her work as the guitarist for The Polyphonic Spree and Sufjan Steven's touring band, her debut album sees the singer-multi-instrumentalist combining guitar, bass, horns, strings and digital keyboards into a unique musical experience. St Vincent is nominated for three PLUG Awards as well–“New Artist of the Year,” “Female Artist of the Year” and “Music Video of the Year.”

PLUG is also excited to announce their partnership with The Bowery Presents–New York City’s largest independent concert promoter. With a core business based around great music, The Bowery Presents’ mission is to bring the best bands to the NY metropolitan area and to provide the best concert experience for fans and artists, along with reasonable ticket prices. Promoting shows at New York’s leading venues for independent music including Bowery Ballroom, Mercury Lounge, Terminal 5 and Music Hall Of Williamsburg, as well as concerts at other venues including Madison Square Garden, Keyspan Park and Randall’s Island, The Bowery Presents embodies the independent and creative spirit of the PLUG AWARDS.

Voting for the 2008 PLUG AWARDS is open to fans everywhere online at www.plugawards.com and will continue until February 8, 2008. The nominees for the year’s best independent music, video, label, festival, radio stations, record store and more were announced November 15 and were selected by the PLUG Advisory Board (AKA PLUG Cartel)–key tastemakers recognized by the music community as those who fight most to raise the voice independent artists and releases in every medium of the business. Battles, Of Montreal, Justice, Arcade Fire, The National, Spoon, Band Of Horses and El-P–in addition to Jose Gonzalez and St. Vincent–are among artists who have received multiple nominations.

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 PATTON OSWALT TO HOST AND NOMINEES JOSE GONZALEZ AND ST. VINCENT TO PERFORM AT AWARDS CEREMONY AND SHOW MARCH 6 IN NEW YORK CITY