What does it take to gain Woodie status?
Bands will compete at the 2009 mtvU Woodie Awards, a showcase of performers made popular on college campuses. Performers will include Asher Roth, Death Cab for Cutie, Matt and Kim, The Dead Weather and 3OH!3 this year.
The awards show, now in its sixth year, aired live Wednesday at the Roseland Ballroom and will air on MTV on Dec. 4 at 10 p.m. EST. The Avenue participated in a college conference call on Nov. 10 with artists who are nominated for the award.
“We think it’s a way for us to call our artists that are having a huge impact in college campuses and respond to the attention that the artists are getting from the college audience,” said Eric Conte, the executive producer of the Woodie Awards, during the conference call.
Conte also said he sees college audiences as a “crystal ball as far as music prediction.”
Bands such as Fall Out Boy and The Academy Is have been nominated for Woodies in years past, on their way to larger crowds and more recognition. Newer musicians note the Woodies as a landmark on their music careers.
“It’s really been a journey,” said Asher Roth, known on college campuses for his song “I Love College.” “Being nominated for Woodie of the Year—it’s really kind of remarkable to see and step back and watch it all happen.”
Some of the artists say putting on a better live show has helped them gain a solid college fan base.
“We try to adjust the show and make it a little bit more epic for a bigger crowd and have fun in different ways,” said Nathaniel Motte of 3OH!3, nominated for Best Performing Woodie.
Other artists attribute their stunning and relatable videos to their success on college campuses.
“It’s more about everybody, you know?” said Roth, who noted the importance of relating to all crowds on campus with his music.
“I think it forces you to think a little harder,” said Matt Johnson, of Matt and Kim, who said he had to beg his bandmate, Kim Schifino, to appear naked with him in Times Square to shoot a music video for their song “Lessons Learned.” The video is nominated for Best Video Woodie this year.
The video is relevant to college students who are generally “more open to doing wild things” at that time of their lives, according to Johnson, who refers to American colleges as “communities of taste.”
Matt and Kim will likely be performing a clothed version of “Lessons Learned” at the Woodies. Other performers include The Dead Weather, also up for Best Video Woodie, and Death Cab For Cutie.
Death Cab For Cutie is scheduled to perform “Meet Me on the Equinox” at the Woodies, which appears on the “New Moon” soundtrack. The Dead Weather has not released which song they will perform.
However, the Woodies are not meant to be a “march to the mainstream,” Conte said.
Still, Conte said he doesn’t think artists should limit themselves just to stay out of the limelight.
“[The artists] want to continue making music for themselves,” he said. “As long as there’s an appreciation going back and forth, I think that’s what the ultimate goal is for someone.”
Even artists who have gained mainstream recognition see the Woodies as an easier alternative to winning the music industry’s more prestigious awards.
“Tony Bennett wins Grammys,” said Chris Walla, guitarist for Death Cab For Cutie. “It just doesn’t seem like it’s our job to win Grammys.”
