Photos and Recollections by f.trainer
I’m not sure where to start. Is it with the vicious headache that i have at five in the morning? Or is it with the moment that I missed the train by five seconds on the way into the city.
Never mind. The next train was only two minutes behind and it was an easy transfer to the unexceptional C train at Jay street that brought me to Columbus Circle. After a long walk i was at Terminal 5 where they ushered me in with little fanfare. Terminal 5 was much bigger than i had expected and i couldn’t help but wonder what kind of debauchery passed as the norm here in ’93.
Arcade Fire – Neon Bible
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Justice
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
St. Vincent
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Andrew Bird
INDIE ROCK ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Animal Collective – Strawberry Jam
AMERICANA ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Iron & Wine – The Shepherd’s Dog
METAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
The Dillinger Escape Plan – Ire Works
HIP-HOP ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Aesop Rock – None Shall Pass
PUNK ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Gogol Bordello – Super Taranta!
ELECTRONIC/DANCE ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Justice – †
DJ ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Hot Chip – DJ Kicks
AVANT ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Liars – Liars
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Radiohead
SONG OF THE YEAR
The National – “Fake Empire”
LIVE ACT OF THE YEAR
Arcade Fire
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Battles – “Atlas”
ALBUM ART PACKAGING OF THE YEAR
Menomena – Friend And Foe
RECORD LABEL OF THE YEAR
Merge
LIVE MUSIC VENUE OF THE YEAR
Bowery Ballroom
MUSIC FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR
Coachella
Pitchfork Media
MUSIC BLOG OF THE YEAR
Stereogum
MAGAZINE OF THE YEAR
Paste
ONLINE RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR
KCRW
RECORD STORE OF THE YEAR
Other Music
ZINE OF THE YEAR
Wax Poetics
ONLINE RECORD STORE OF THE YEAR
iTunes
COLLEGE/NON-COMM RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR
KEXP
SPECIALTY SHOW OF THE YEAR
Sirius: Left Of Center – Blog Radio
They gave me bunch of passes, I only had to sign a waiver that i wouldn’t cause any trouble.
St. Vincent was the first performer, I think I’m in love.
Brief recap: People win awards. I get a text saying that the national are at my local bar. Should I ditch?
Not yet. There are still free drinks here at this giant weirdo space.
Dizzee Rascal performs.
Hosted by Patton Oswald, the awards moved pretty quickly.
Justice wins and Jose Gonzalez plays.
Spot some friends, they’re with Nina Barnes who suposed to accept the award if Of Montreal win — it’s pretty difficult to keep score with crowds and no one is quite sure who is winning.
Nick Cave is spotted grooming his mustache. He reminds me of a fictional band in a David Lynch movie. But everybody, except the people i talk to, loves him.
The show is over by 11sharp and everyone is escorted out pretty quickly. Outside a flask is passed and i put up a couple of polaroids.
Despite the crowds being pushed from the front of the venue it was still pretty easy to catch a downtown cab.
In the shadow of the Port Authority, Holland Bar is is open. Four buds / 12 bucks. There’s an old man passed out on a keg.
He was passed out on that keg in front of the jukebox and megatouch for the entire time we were there. He woke up a couple of time when people sat on his lap to pose for pictures but didn’t seem to mind too much.
Two hours later we head back to bk, to hang out with The National. They won some award and i want to touch it for some strange reason.
What are they doing at the local I wonder as the cab bombs down the west side. Through a tunnel and we’re home. The plug award is pointy, but nicely weighted. I’m glad these guys won. They certainly deserve it.
It’s nice to see that people make art and are happy.
