Alternative Folk Awards Again 2013

Subject: Alternative Folk Awards Again
From: Acorn4
Date: 15 Mar 13 - 05:50 AM

Some interesting choices here:-



Spiral Earth Awards

Subject: RE: Alternative Folk Awards Again
From: IanC
Date: 15 Mar 13 - 06:24 AM

At last!

For some years, I set up an "Alternative Mudcat Awards". It was quite jokey but intended to highlight the need for a more grassroots approach to recognising and promoting music that had actually achieved something.

This isn't particularly grassroots, I think, but it's a much better approach and could lead to something a bit more down-to-earth.

:-)
Ian

Subject: RE: Alternative Folk Awards Again
From: GUEST,Gail
Date: 15 Mar 13 - 02:11 PM

Spiral Earth Awards have existed for a few years now and are definitely more grass roots than the BBC awards, not least because anyone can vote for them online.
Looking at the latest list of winners, I find I'm quite heartened at some of the names there (and that some other ones aren't, for a change).

Subject: RE: Alternative Folk Awards Again
From: Spleen Cringe
Date: 15 Mar 13 - 06:25 PM

On some levels, though, it's an award for who can spam the most on Facebook, Twitter etc to get the most votes. It nominates some different people to the other awards, but from thereon it's a bit of a bunfight.

Subject: RE: Alternative Folk Awards Again
From: matt milton
Date: 16 Mar 13 - 09:40 AM

Yes, agreed – I think if Spiral Earth voted among its own contributors and produced the awards that way it'd be more edifying.

And then, crucially, backed the awards up with features/interviews about/with the artists, saying why it was they were nominated, why they won, what really did it for them this year etc. Otherwise it's just info-free names floating in space.

You can always have a single public-vote award for an overall best act...

Subject: RE: Alternative Folk Awards Again
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Mar 13 - 07:27 PM

I think if Spiral Earth voted among its own contributors and produced the awards that way it'd be more edifying. And then, crucially, backed the awards up with features/interviews about/with the artists

Isn't that what Froots does? They have a massive panel, and most of the artists who place seem to be featured or reviewed in their pages at some time. They even publish lists of how everybody voted. These public online voted popularity contests are bound to favour those who are good at social networking, mailing list collection and encouraging multiple voting, while the initial shortlists often seem to be the views of little self appointed cliques.

Subject: RE: Alternative Folk Awards Again
From: My guru always said
Date: 17 Mar 13 - 05:44 AM

IanC - lovely to see you here again, we've missed your 'Mudcat Alternative Awards'!!

Subject: RE: Alternative Folk Awards Again
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 17 Mar 13 - 06:10 AM

Well I've got the Hat Fitz & Cara CD and I've seen Patsy Matheson this year. Does that mean I'm becoming trendy after all these years? Still no award for best solo washboard...

RtS