2008 Woodie Awards
mtvU's Woodie Awards, (not) just another awards show
Katie Tarney
Issue date: 10/17/06 Section: Arts & Entertainment
For the third year in a row, mtvU is gearing up for its version of an awards show - the Woodie Awards, a show created by and for college students to celebrate the music they listen to. Kim, an mtvU VJ explains "the Woodie awards celebrate great music before it hits mainstream. It's not about going gold, and it's not about going platinum, it's about going wood. The Woodies are the show where you get to see the artists that you love take the stage, grab the mic, and hopefully take home an award."
In a press conference with Forrest from hellogoodbye, Will from Cartel, Feist, mtvU VJ Kim, and the head of programming, Ross Martin, band members were more than happy to share their excitement about being nominated for a Woodie. Feist shared that "college aged people are hungry for soundtracks to their kisses… [And] I like to get in on the memory-making moments." Forrest replied in a tongue in cheek manner that "[being nominated for a Woodie] means a lot to me because people in college can drive and stay out as late as they want, so to be accepted into their fold is exciting."
Several bands, including The Killers, Death Cab for Cutie, and Taking Back Sunday have gained popularity through airplay on mtvU and winning Woodies, and it seems as though the VJs and programming directors alike hope to launch the careers of other great bands through their media outlet.
Despite mtvU's good intentions, many fans seem concerned that when their bands gain too much popularity and become over-exposed they 'sell out' or lose their edge, and it was interesting to see how these artists, that may be on the verge of breaking out, felt about this concern. Will from Cartel expressed that "...any artist who doesn't have some sort of disdain for success wants to sell as many records as possible…The balance between too much and longevity is crucial. All we can do is write records we're proud of and hope that people like them as much as we do, continue to purchase them and come to our shows. There is no too far in 'selling out' unless you change yourself or your music."
In a press conference with Forrest from hellogoodbye, Will from Cartel, Feist, mtvU VJ Kim, and the head of programming, Ross Martin, band members were more than happy to share their excitement about being nominated for a Woodie. Feist shared that "college aged people are hungry for soundtracks to their kisses… [And] I like to get in on the memory-making moments." Forrest replied in a tongue in cheek manner that "[being nominated for a Woodie] means a lot to me because people in college can drive and stay out as late as they want, so to be accepted into their fold is exciting."
Several bands, including The Killers, Death Cab for Cutie, and Taking Back Sunday have gained popularity through airplay on mtvU and winning Woodies, and it seems as though the VJs and programming directors alike hope to launch the careers of other great bands through their media outlet.
Despite mtvU's good intentions, many fans seem concerned that when their bands gain too much popularity and become over-exposed they 'sell out' or lose their edge, and it was interesting to see how these artists, that may be on the verge of breaking out, felt about this concern. Will from Cartel expressed that "...any artist who doesn't have some sort of disdain for success wants to sell as many records as possible…The balance between too much and longevity is crucial. All we can do is write records we're proud of and hope that people like them as much as we do, continue to purchase them and come to our shows. There is no too far in 'selling out' unless you change yourself or your music."
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