Skrillex is surprised about his 5 Grammy nods

NEW YORK — Many people were surprised when the name Skrillex was announced in the best new artist category, along with the likes of Nicki Minaj and The Band Perry, during this week's televised Grammy nominations special.

Count Skrillex as one of them.

A day after earning a whopping five nominations in total, the 23-year-old dance and dub-step producer is still taking it all in.

"It just hasn't really hit me yet," he said in a phone interview from Manchester, United Kingdom on Thursday. "I wouldn't have thought I would come this far in so many ways."

Skrillex scored the third-most nominations, matching Lil Wayne. Kanye West leads with seven nods; Adele, the Foo Fighters and Bruno Mars scored six each.

The Los Angeles-based Skrillex, born Sonny Moore, may be best known for "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites" (he's also a producer on Korn's new album, "The Path of Totality," out next week).

Skrillex hasn't had much success on the Billboard charts -- he's more of an underground artist. He'll have some tough competition in the best new artist category: Besides facing The Band Perry and Minaj, who were both nominated for Grammys earlier this year and have dominated their respective fields and at other awards shows, he'll compete with Bon Iver, a critical darling, and J. Cole, who had a No.1 album and is the protege of Jay-Z.

Skrillex is nominated for best dance recording for "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites," and also nominated for best dance/electronica album for his EP, which shares the same name. In 2010, Lady Gaga earned those trophies, and Rihanna's "Only Girl (In the World)" was the winner of best dance recording earlier this year.

Skrillex will have to battle Toronto's Deadmau5, Robyn and David Guetta, acts who come from a similar background to his.

"I feel very proud of where I come from," Skrillex said of being in the electronic music scene, a genre that has exploded on Top 40 radio in recent years. "I do feel like I represent something and I'm a part of something and it's an honour to be there."

Skrillex, who is also nominated for best remixed recording (non-classical) and best short form music video, says he hopes his Grammy love will give more attention to the dance music genre.

"I just hope it opens more doors for next year, not only Grammy nominations, but just everything in general," he said.

The Grammys will be held Feb. 12 in Los Angeles.

David Guetta to Headline Ultra Fest, Skrillex Added to Bamboozle Lineup

Festival season seems to be shaping up for 2012! Not only was the lineup for Ultra Fest announced, but Bamboozle festival turns 10 this year, and they’re celebrating with one of the most eclectic lineups you’ll be able to hear for the price of a ticket in 2012. So far, the lineup includes Bon Jovi, Foo Fighters, Blink-182, and the recently added Skrillex.

The festival, which takes place May 18-20 in Asbury Park, N.J., will also host performances from Mac Miller and Incubus, among others.

Skrillex is keeping busy on the festival circuit this year — he’ll also be popping up at the Ultra Fest in Miami, Fla., which is slated to take place March 23-25. He joins an impressive slate of performers that already includes headliners David Guetta, Tiesto, Kraftwerk, and Justice.

If you plan on attending both festivals, you’d better start budgeting now. Purchasing a three-day pass for the Ultra Fest from the official site will run you $299.95, while the Bamboozle is charging $190 for their pass (plus $26 in fees). If you’re finding it difficult to choose between the two, just know that — for better or worse — your chances of hearing ‘You Give Love a Bad Name’ are much, much higher at Bamboozle.

In the meantime, Skrillex fans can enjoy his latest EP, ‘Bangarang,’ released Dece. 23, while Guetta is still promoting his most recent album, the top 5 U.S. hit ‘Nothing but the Beat.’

Skrillex is just killin’ it

Lots of usual suspects popped up on the just-released roster of Grammy nominations — Adele, Bruno Mars, Nicki Minaj, the Foo Fighters.

But who, folks might wonder, was the wild-maned artist who calls himself Skrillex, who logged no less that five coveted nominations?

First, the 23-year-old born Sonny Moore in Los Angeles was a band member (in From First To Last), then a top-flight producer (he just finished working on the upcoming Korn album). Now, he’s a solo artist, as well, with his recent “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites” nabbing a Grammy nod for Best Dance/Electronica Album.

Skrillex also got a nom for Best Music Video (“First of the Year (Equinox)”), and he now owns the honor of being the first electronic musician to ever be nominated for Best New Artist.

Chalk it up to his insane work schedule, perhaps — over the past year, Skrillex has also: released two EPs, played over 300 performances, collaborated with Kaskade, made the cover of Spin Magazine, and even launched his own “Watership Down”-inspired label OWSLA, and signed hot new artists like Bristol’s dubstep maestro Koan Sound, singer Alvin Risk, and San Francisco’s own M Machine.

The guy should be throwing one helluva crazy New Year’s party!

Bamboozle Adds More Artists

The Bamboozle Festival has unveiled 3 artists performing and UTG is excited to bring them to you right here! Incubus, Skrillex and Mac Miller have all been confirmed to grace the stages from May 18 through the 20 at Asbury Park, NJ.

Are you excited for the newly announced talent?! Please let us know by commenting past the jump.

Announced headliners and other bands performing will be:

blink-182, Bon Jovi, Foo Fighters, Jimmy Eat World, Bayside, fun., The Used, We Came As Romans and Pauly D.

Scene & Heard: Grammy grab

What do local lads Cut Copy have in common with multi-million selling acts Foo Fighters, Kanye West, Radiohead and Lady Gaga? The answer? They’re all nominees at next year’s Grammy Awards.

The Melbourne electro outfit celebrated its 10th anniversary this year, and has been nominated in the Best Dance/Electronica Album category for its third album Zonoscope – released to rave reviews in February.

The band will battle David Guetta, Deadmau5, Robyn and Skrillex for the award at the annual ceremony, to be held on Los Angeles on February 12.

They may be at long odds to win, but if they do, they will join an exclusive list of Australian Grammy-winning acts that includes Kylie Minogue, Keith Urban and Wolfmother.

Having scored a prime timeslot at Meredith last weekend (sandwiched between Icehouse and Grinderman), Cut Copy will take a break over summer. So plenty of time to work on that acceptance speech, then.

Slamming nationally

Last February, more than 20,000 Melburnians took to the city streets in support of live music – and to save Collingwood’s iconic Tote Hotel. Next year the event, known as SLAM (Save Live Australia’s Music), will go national.

February 23 will be a nationwide celebration of live music. Venues and musicians are being encouraged to curate ‘‘national SLAM Day’’ gigs.

Music lovers can become fans of the event on Facebook and keep up to date with the latest news and, closer to the date, comprehensive gig listings. Visit facebook.com/SLAMrally

W ith a bullet

If you’re on to a good thing, why change it? Melbourne blues-rock troubadour Jordie Lane had such a good time in the US recording his second album Blood Thinner (which hit stores in July) that he’s decided to take his latest batch of songs back to the States and try it again with album number three.

Before he leaves the country, Lane will play a farewell show at the East Brunswick Club on February 12. Tickets are on sale now. Visit eastbrunswickclub.com

Mu st see

Future of the Left
Fresh from a set at Meredith, Welsh four-piece Future of the Left (pictured) brings its high octane live show to the Corner tomorrow. The band will preview tracks from its third album, The Plot Against Common Sense, due out early next year.

D: Friday
V: Corner Hotel
$: $44 plus booking fee

Harmony
The self-titled debut album by local band Harmony – the latest project by ex-Nation Blue singer Tom Lyngcoln – is set to top plenty of ‘‘best of 2011’’ lists. Intense and atmospheric, the six-piece will launch new single Heartache on Saturday.

D: Saturday
V: Phoenix Public House
$: $10 plus booking fee

The Rechords
Haven’t heard Melbourne trio the Rechords? Think a little bit hillbilly, a little bit R&B and a little bit western swing – and you’re halfway there. Having only formed in mid-2009, the band has been turning heads for all the right reasons.
D: Sunday
V: Northcote Social Club
$: $12 at the door