Colorful music performances, gold plated awards and a room full of buzzed musicians and paper employees made for a wild night at the 20^th annual SF Weekly Music Awards. The night alternated between recognizing the best of the best in the Bay Area's music scene and making use of Ruby Skye's huge dance floor.

Host Alex Koll, comedian and local air guitar champion, started out the night with liquor jokes and references to his Biblical hairstyle, noting the difficulty of being a "comedian at the music show." Presenters took over the stage, including performer, Wallpaper, who announced the "nomineezes" and then winners for the Soul/R&B/Funk category. An impromptu drummer hopped up on stage to pound out a drum roll, while still on his cell phone. "Best Club Night" winner, Sweater Funk, took the stage with their entire posse, and attempted to play a ringtone as part of their acceptance speech. Unfortunately the song was fuzzy beyond recognition.

Amber Schadewald

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Consider this the final reminder. Tonight we party with all the nominees, announce all the winners, and get entertained by Wallpaper., Loco Bloco, Lazer Sword, and comedian Alex Koll at SF Weekly's annual music awards ceremony at Ruby Skye. Doors are at 7:30 p.m., and the awards start at 8 p.m.

Please note that Geary St. is closed between Stockton and Taylor streets because Obama's in town (we've added him to the list, plus 1). Ruby Skye is at 420 Mason at Geary, so avoid that block of Geary if you can.

See you tonight. And tune back in tomorrow for a list of the winners and all the evening's highlights.

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Tomorrow's the big night. SF Weekly's 2009 Music Award winners will be announced at a blowout party at Ruby Skye.

We'll have a host--Alex Koll--who's a combination air guitar champ/comedian. We'll have performances by acts that mix their hip-hop with funk, dubstep, and live drums (Wallpaper., Loco Bloco, and Lazer Sword). And we'll have colorful personalities from the local music community to help us present our fine little music awards trophies. The public is welcome to join in the fun, too.

Today we're running down the nominees in the metal/psych/punk category. Check out tracks by:

Ty Segall--"Universal Momma"

Hunx and His Punx--"Cruising"

Triclops!--"Freedom Tickler"

The Fresh & Onlys--"Invisible Forces"

​It's gettin' down to it. One more day to vote for your favorite Bay Area acts in this year's music awards. And two more days until we announce the winners at a big ol' party at Ruby Skye (with, as we've mentioned before, performances by Wallpaper., Loco Bloco, and Lazer Sword) on Thursday.

Today we're highlighting tunes by the Indie Rock/Pop nominees, one of many competitive categories. Check out some of the finest popsmiths this region has to offer below:

The Downer Party's "Being a Teenager is Free Palestine"

Girls' "Hellhole Ratrace"

The Morning Benders's acoustic demo of "Hand Me Downs"

Sleepy Sun's "New Age"

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Only a couple days left until our annual Music Awards party at Ruby Skye on Thursday, Oct. 15, and we're pretty damn excited. As we've mentioned a few times on All Shook Down, the big event is being held to celebrate 40 nominees in 10 different categories, but the night will also include live performances by one of last year's winners, Wallpaper. (who graced our cover last month), as well as Loco Bloco, and a DJ set by Lazer Sword. (Tickets are here).

Today we're featuring music by nominees in the soul/funk/R&B category.  Check it out.

"Georgia Peach" by Joe Bagale

"Soul Tub" by California Honeydrops

"These Words" by Kev Choice Ensemble

"Do You Believe in Love" by Jennifer Johns

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Less than a week to go before SF Weekly announces the winners for this year's Music Awards.

If you haven't voted yet, you can do so here. We'll celebrate the winners, as well as all the nominees, at a big party at Ruby Skye on Thursday, Oct. 15, with performances by Wallpaper., Lazer Sword, and Loco Bloco. (Tickets here).

For now, here's a sampler of music from the nominees in the International category:

Baba Ken and the Afro-Groove Connexion's "Deep Down Beat"

Santero's "Oba"

Sila and the Afrofunk Experience's "Black President"

Rupa & the April Fishes' "une americaine a paris"

​Once again we're spotlighting tunes by this year's nominees for SF Weekly's annual music awards. The full ballot can be viewed and voted upon here and the winners will be announced at our big party at Ruby Skye on Thursday, Oct. 15, with performances by Wallpaper., Loco Bloco, and Lazer Sword. (The party is $20 and open to the public)

Today we're highlighting acts in the Electronic/DJ category.

Check out these bangers:

"1-2-3-Go" by Hottub

Lazer Sword's remix of Lyrtta's "You Got Nothing"

"Get Your Whistle Wet (DJ Sep & Jason Short Dub Mix feat. DJ Collage)" by Mochipet

And Tenderlions's "Back to Cali" remix

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We're really excited about next week's big music awards blowout. On Thursday, Oct. 15 we're hosting a party (open to the public) to celebrate 40 nominees in 10 different categories--basically the best musicians and DJs this city has to offer--at Ruby Skye.

During the evening, we'll announce all the winners, and have live entertainment from recent cover-story subject Wallpaper., as well as performances by Loco Bloco and Lazer Sword (tickets are $20).

In the days leading up to the party, we'll highlight music by nominees from the various categories. First up: Rap/Hip-Hop.

Check out:

"Hooligan Rock!" by Alexander Spit

"In the City featuring Jesse Boykins III"  by 40Love

"Take to the King" by Themselves

"All Over Me" by The Jacka

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The Bay Area music scene's crazy with talent, and we've been working hard as of late to narrow that massive creative pool down to 40 acts worthy of jumping on this year's Music Awards Ballot.

So after much research by own own staff, and much polling of respected members of the music industry, we've arrived at the top four acts in ten categories. (Note: We tried to avoid nominating acts that have won in previous years).

Rap/Hip-Hop: Alexander Spit; Themselves; 40Love; The Jacka

Electronic/DJ: Mochipet; Lazer Sword; Tenderlions; Hottub

International: Baba Ken and the Afro-Groove Connexion: Rupa & the April Fishes; Sila and the Afrofunk Experience; Santero

Soul/R&B/Funk: Joe Bagale; Kev Choice; Jennifer Johns; The California Honeydrops

Indie Rock/Pop: Girls: The Morning Benders; The Downer Party; Sleepy Sun

Metal/Psych/Punk: Ty Segall; Hunx and His Punx; Triclops!; The Fresh & Onlys

Jazz/Blues: Adam Theis; Spaceheater; Wayne Wallace; Gaucho

Experimental, Etc.: Tussle; Barn Owl; Weasel Walter; The Alps

Alt-Country/Folk/Singer-Songwriter: Joe Goldmark & The Seducers; Emily Jane White; Goh Nakamura; Two Sheds

Club Night: Tormenta Tropical; Sweater Funk; El Superrritmo; [kontrol.sf]

Cast your vote between now and Wednesday, October 14 here. Winners will be announced on Thursday, October 15 at the big Music Awards bash at Ruby Skye.

After parting ways with fellow SF Weekly Music Awards nominees Tussle, Alexis Georgopoulos took the name Arp and traded in the groove for ambiance. The transition proved favorable as evident in the release of In Light, a collection of swirling minimalism that garnered high critical praise. Arp's musical sensibilities are clearly still intact if not far more subdued -- the subtle electronic sounds of buzzing synthesizers and delicate computer manipulation break south of Tussle's ultra-danceable drum and bass a la Liquid Liquid, but remains just as engaging.

Arp's offering has drawn comparisons to the minimalist compositions of Brian Eno, Philip Glass, and, of course, Kraftwerk. Aside from In Light, Arp has contributed his brilliance to fellow SFers the Alps, and is set to open for electronic luminary Four Tet in New York this winter.

Alexis Georgopoulos' atmospheric sound as Arp makes him a strong nominee for a 2008 SF Weekly Music Award. Please cast your vote, but hurry, the deadline is today. --Oscar Pascual

Rupa Marya would like to heal you. Aside from fronting Rupa & the April Fishes, Marya is also a practicing physician, but you don't need a prescription to enjoy the soothing blend of worldly sounds from the SF outfit. Rupa's music has no borders, instead embracing a gamut of global influences ranging from cumbia, Brazilian jazz, French chanson, and traditional folk, to name a few. It's no wonder this year's release of Extraordinary Rendition broke the top ten in Soundscan's world music sales.

With lyrics written in French, Hindi, Spanish, and English, Rupa & the April Fishes' live act is all over the globe as well. After heading out on a North American tour this month to finish out the year, the band crosses the pond in March 2009 for a European tour in the spring. Of course, Rupa wouldn't leave her hometown out of the mix, as the band plays this month at Yoshi's, followed by a two-night residency at the Brava Theatre in Dec.

If you enjoy Rupa & the April Fishes' multicultural sound, then cast your vote and help them take home one of this year's SF Weekly Music Awards. Do it soon, the deadline is this Wednesday, Oct. 15. --Oscar Pascual

It's hard not to recognize the musical similarities between Berkeley's The Morning Benders and 60's pop acts like the Beatles and Beach Boys, though others tie them to the contemporary sounds of the Shins. The band formed as front man Christopher Chu's solo project in 2005. To record his songs, Chu used a microphone and a laptop and released the EP "Loose Change" in 2006. He then invited several of his UC Berkeley classmates to join the band, which expanded to include bassist Timothy Or, drummer Julian Harmon and guitarist/organist Joseph Ferrell. The group released a 2007 EP called "Boarded Doors."

After the positive response to their EP, the band set out to record a full length album. They released "Talking Through Tin Cans" last May. Chu produced, engineered and mixed much of the album. The Benders signed to +1 Records which boasts a roster including the Kooks, Editors and Two Gallants. They play music that's enjoyable to listen to with smart lyrics; for instance, the song "Crosseyed" was written about the difficulties of monogamy in response to the relationship between characters Brenda and Nate in HBO's "Six Feet Under." Their interview with Daytrotter explores their insightful crafting of the lyrics and beats of their songs. Though the best thing about this band must really be the cover of the Cardigan's "Lovefool" on their Myspace page.

Like the Morning Benders? Then vote for them in the Indie Rock/Pop category of the SF Weekly Music Awards. Your deadline is Wednesday. --Melissa Baron

Mushroom's eclectic stylings could have landed them in any other category, but their ongoing exploration of sound makes them a shoe-in for one of 2008's best experimental acts. Their 1997 debut single, "The Reeperbahn," came with the influence of 70s krautrock like Neu! and Kraftwerk. Fast-forward a few years and their Analog Hi-Fi Surprise release took a turn down a funkier avenue, highlighted by psychedelic jazz inflections sporting Booker T-style organs and electronic beats. Now taking a totally different path, the band's next project is a reworking of an unreleased rock opera written by the Who's Pete Townshend that Mushroom plan on performing live in early 2009.

Mushroom's all-encompassing sound has attracted a slew of notable musicians to play alongside the Oakland band. Through the years, Mushroom's roster of guests has seen the likes of John Birdsong of Beck fame, Tom Waits' sideman Ralph Carney, and legendary Blue Note recording artist Eddie Gale.

If you're a fan of Mushroom's ever-evolving genre melds, cast your vote and help them take home an SF Weekly Music Award. --Oscar Pascual

Jazz prodigy Devin Hoff hails from Colorado but has been a San Francisco staple since the early '90s. Hoff tames the grooves with his bass guitar and double bass, and writes his own lyrics to boot. He jams with his self-titled group, the Devin Hoff Platform, on top of being a member of the Nels Cline Singers, Good for Cows and Plays Monk. His versatility has made him much sought after collaboration artist and his bass lines have supported everything from jazz to punk.

Hoff's new music is a twist between folk and jazz, and he hits many a daydream-inducing note. A very involved community member, he belongs to the Prisoners Literature Project, the Kate Sharpley Library, and the AK Press. In other news, it looks like he’s headed to Europe for a mini tour with Good for Cows this month. He’ll be back in November playing with the aforementioned Nels Cline Singers.

If you like Hoff, be sure to vote for him in the Jazz/Blues category of the SF Weekly Music Awards. --Jackie Lopez

San Francisco's Girls are a duo composed of JR White and Christopher Owens (of Holy Shit fame). Their only album out so far, charmingly named "Lust for Life," arrived last March on True Panther Sounds. In a time when overcomplicated, artsy and painfully unique music receives all the critical acclaim it's nice to have a band like Girls. They may not play anything revolutionary, but they're one of the most enjoyable and classically appealing bands around.

Their instrumentals are simple, yet well-played and their vocals are absolutely beautiful. They make songs about love: falling in love, losing love, loving life. Their songs are romantic and reminiscent of the 60s. Plus, there are hand claps! And tambourines! In my mind they're a modern version of the Beach Boys living in San Francisco and serenading me in my bedroom with sweet and sad pop songs every night. Girls conjure up images of hand-holding and slow dancing and sitting in the car after a really terrible fight feeling angsty. With girls, every day feels like summertime.

If you like the guys in Girls, be sure to vote for them in the Indie Pop/Rock category of this year's SF Weekly Music Awards.--Melissa Baron

Tussle formed in 2001 to provide some much needed avant garde electronica to the Bay Area. Abandoning conventional dance music, they embraced Jamaican dub and No Wave to create an artistic opportunity for people to boogie. Their music embraces heavy beats and funky melodies making it simultaneously easy to listen to but very complex. With shows characterized by freestyling and jamming, they represent an electronic band drifting from the overhyped DJ supergroups like Justice and Girl Talk. Plus, with four people in the band and DJs in addition to instrumentalists, the group is fascinating to watch perform live.

The band is currently composed of two of the original members, Jonathan Holland on drums and electronics and Nathan Burazer on electronics. Joining them is Warren Huegel on drums and Tomonori Yasuda on bass an electronics. Their newest album, "Cream Cuts," came out in late August. They worked with producer Thom Monahan, famous in the music world for working with Devendra Banhart, Joanna Newsom and Silver Jews. Last year the band toured with YACHT and Hot Chip. Embracing intimate sounds and experimental rhythems, Cream Cuts is their best release yet.

If you're a Tussle fan, be sure to vote for them in the Experimental, etc. category of the SF Weekly Music Awards.

--Melissa Baron

San Francisco's Thee Oh Sees play music reminiscent of good old rock and roll. The vocals harmonize through distorted amps, the lo-fi sound comes through every recording and each song is overwhelmed with reverb. They sound retro, poppy and creepy simultaneously. Raw and unprocessed, it feels honest and old school, straight from the basement to your record player. Some reviewers compare the band with the B-52s, but the band is quick to deny the resemblance.

Thee Oh Sees began with front man John Dwyer, whose career has spanned genres from noise to metal with bands including Coachwhips (aka Roachclips), The Hospitals and Pink and Brown. He wanted an opportunity to release his home recordings and the band took off from there.

Since forming in the late 90's the band (formerly called OCS forOrange County Sound and Orinoka Crash Suit) has released just under 10 albums. The current lineup features Dwyer on vocals and guitar, the whimsical vocals of Brigid Dawson, Petey Dammit on guitar and Mike Shoun on drums.

If you like Thee Oh Sees, be sure to vote for them in the Indie Rock/Pop category of the SF Weekly Music Awards. --Melissa Baron

Emily Jane White ensnares the fickle ear with simple melodies, haunting lyrics, and a willowy whispery voice that lopes gracefully through the speakers. A dark folk singer, she weaves songs of sorrow and the struggles that plague this mortal coil. At times, it's almost as though she's a musical audio book for a gothic novel. Oakland’s Double Negative Records released her album “Dark Undercoat” in 2007; in it are favorites "Wild tigers I have known" and "Dagger" whose solid music box melodies have mesmerized fans and brought them back for more.

Alas, you'll have to catch this San Francisco siren when she returns from her European tour. The lucky lass will be earning in euros through December. But if you like her, be sure to vote for her in the Alt-Country/Folk Singer-Songwriter category of the SF Weekly Music Awards. --Jackie Lopez

The Heavenly States have only been together for six years, but the Oakland indie rockers have a career's worth of accomplishments. Not only have they put out three stellar recordings to date, but they are also known as the first American band to ever play in the African dictatorship of Libya. Ever. An odd choice considering their political stance (watch this video for Osamabin Lozenges), but if liberating a country to the wonder of western Rock 'n Roll isn't enough for a music award nomination, I don't know what is.

While most bands could have easily called it a career after that honor, the States didn't simply stop just there. This year marks the release of Delayer, their third album and first since visiting Libya. The new record features Ted Nesseth's lucid lyrics and roaring guitar riffs, Genevieve Gagon's melodic violin and keys, and percussionist Jeremy Gagon and bassist Masanori Christianson's booming rhythms. Their energetic brand of indie pop has earned the group comparisons to Ted Leo, the Hold Steady, and Dinosaur Jr. The Heavenly States also achieved yet another accolade this year by opening for indie rock juggernauts Spoon on their tour dates at the Fillmore.

The Heavenly States' diplomacy and awesome new album have earned them a nod in the SF Weekly Music Awards. If you support the globalization of good old rock music, please cast your vote. --Oscar Pascual

Local rockers Wooden Shjips play a unique brand of psychedelic rock infused with grunge and characterized by long guitar riffs and fuzzy amps. They have a self titled album as well as two 7", one released for Sub Pop and one for Holy Mountain.

Their Holy Mountain release commemorates the "Summer of Love" and bands like Jefferson Airplane (who set the standard the California psychedelic rock that Wooden Shjips continue playing to this day). Each song sounds like it came from a 70's basement where a bunch of kids took a ton of acid, picked up instruments and fucking rocked. The music video for "Dance, California" depicts the scenes that their music brings to mind with retro video clips of people gettin' their groove on.

Wooden Shjips inspired the tripping, partying and dancing that San Francisco is known for. Their lineup consists of Omar Ahsanuddin on drums, Dusty Jermier on bass, Nash Whalen on organ and Erik "Ripley" Johnson on guitar and vocals. Since they hit the scene in 2006, the band has gained critical attention from the likes of Pitchfork, Rolling Stone and the Wire. They also had the distinct honor of playing along rock legends My Bloody Valentine, the Meat Puppets, Built to Spill, Dinosaur Jr. and many more at the ATP Festival earlier this month in New York. The Wooden Shjips continue to prove that they are the reincarnation of the psychedelic grunge that made California famous.

Feelin' the grooves of Wooden Shjips? Vote for them in the Metal/Psych/Punk category of this year's SF Weekly Music Awards.- Melissa Baron

You don't have to live on Oahu to play a mean ukelele. Uni, who reminds us of a punked-up Rainbow Brite crossed with Marilyn Monroe, burst onto the scene with her breezy vocals in 2004 and has developed quite a fan following since. In 2006, her first album, "My Favorite Letter is U" descended from the heavens upon our humble Amoeba stores with their PG-13 lyrics and lighthearted melodies.

The folk-pop darling recently showed off her rock star side with her single “Twinkle Twinkle” and her following is eating up her new sound. A new fan favorite has to be “I’m On My Way,” an uplifting song that definitely fits the free spirit San Franciscan style of living.

Uni has opened for folks like James Brown, Ray Charles, and Jolie Holland. You can find her all around the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and Europe these days. Do see her before she gets ready for her upcoming “You’re Gonna Get Rocked” tour, which is set to take her to Australia and New Zealand in November this year.

Like Uni? Be sure to vote for her in the experimental, etc. category of SF Weekly's Music Awards. --Jackie Lopez

Mistah F.A.B. is a true Bay Area ambassador. A forefather of local-bred "Hyphy" hip-hop, the Oakland emcee has performed alongside fellow local stars like E-40, Too $hort, and Turf Talk, and brought national attention to going dumb and/or stupid with genre-defining bangers like "Super Sic Wit' It," and "Ghost Ride It." The latter single sparked clamor over its video that illustrates the peculiar act of what the Thizz Nation refers to as "ghost riding the whip," as well as using the original music and logo from the film, "Ghostbusters."

Controversy aside, Mistah F.A.B.'s approach to music is consummate. With his upcoming major-label release put on hold by Atlantic, F.A.B. recently made several of his prior albums available for free download, making his lighthearted party rhymes accessible to all. Also a tireless collaborator, F.A.B. has cut tracks with many notable artists like Kanye West, DJ Shadow, and Snoop Dogg. And if all that isn't enough to keep busy, he also hosts his very own local radio show.

Mistah F.A.B.'s prominence in local hip-hop makes him a shoe-in as a nominee for this year's SF Weekly Music Awards. If you'd like to see him win, please cast your vote. --Oscar Pascual