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