Now in its 17th year, the San Diego Music Awards have become the single most important annual event for local musicians. While most would consider it an honor just to be nominated, the winners can often reap more residual rewards.
At this year’s event, held Sept. 17 at Viejas Concerts in the Park, Ocean Beach based trio The Grams picked up their second trophy in as many years as “Best Americana Group.”
“We are delighted and grateful,” said frontman Chuck Schiele.
Together for just over four years, he acknowledges the thrill of taking the stage before his peers to accept accolades but notes that taking home a trophy isn’t a motivation for The Grams.
“Award or no award, we play. It’s kind of a ‘zen’ thing,” he said. “The music is what we consider when we put the album together. The award is something we take as a kind acknowledgement for our hard work, and we leave it right there.”
He noted the difficulty in defining exactly what Americana is.
“It’s just a label. And actually, we don’t fit any labels. We play in a lot of styles from across the Atlantic, as well as ‘American’ music, Spanish music in 7/8 time, ancient Moroccan themes with weird tunings. And people tell us all the time that we have a Celtic streak.”
Pointing out that the group has spent much of the year dealing with personal family hardships, Schiele considers the win to be extra special.
“It came at a time when the people in The Grams camp needed to feel something good after a really, really hard year,” he said.
The awards event allowed them to let off a little steam.
“We had a drink and then, corny as it may seem, found ourselves dancing together at the afterparty. We behave more like a family than we do a band, actually.”
Punk band The Blood Hollies also won an award the second year in a row when their CD, “Who to Trust, Who To Kill, Who To Love,” took home the prize for “Best Alternative Album.” In addition to bragging rights, drummer Matt Bennett found some additional benefits.
“Winning an award does help the name recognition of the band,” he said. “We are mentioned in print for a week or two, so it’s a good thing.”
Bennett keeps his band’s trophy at home, but is considering turning it into a fashion statement.
“I’m thinking of putting a chain on it and wearing it around my neck,” he said.
Acoustic troubadour Gregory Page has been nominated several times for an SDMA in the past, including once with his ’90s-era gothic rock group, Baba Yaga.
This year he won in the “Best Local Recording” for his album, “Knife in My Chest,” following up on 2006’s win for “Best Acoustic Recording.”
“Being nominated ups my street cred,” he said.
Page has given his awards away.
“I gave them to my mum. She keeps them in her bedroom next to her false teeth,” he said.
Country and Americana group The Coyote Problem has been nominated six times over the years, taking home a total of three awards, including this year’s win for their disc “California” in the “Best Americana Album” category.
“The multiple nominations and awards have a very real impact on the band,” said bandleader Peter Bolland. “When you keep winning like this it gets harder and harder for people to not know your name. Of course, we’re artists first, but brand-name recognition doesn’t hurt.”
He says the awards yield results for the artists who win.
“I’d like to say winning doesn’t matter, but it does,” he said. “People are more likely to give your music a chance if you’ve won an award or been nominated. It’s like radio play or a TV appearance or a great review in the paper. People trust those media outlets to do the initial sifting for them.”
Even more important for Bolland is the effect a win can have on the musicians themselves. “Winning also shoots a heavy dose of confidence into the mainline vein of your band,” he said. “I mean, we knew we were pretty good before, but now we have a heavy brass statuette that says so.”