MGMT Snags Grammy Nominations

, by Gianna Palmer, Blargus Co-Editor

Ben Goldwasser ’05 and Andrew VanWyngarden ’05, otherwise known as MGMT, were nominated for Grammys in two categories.  Most notably, the duo will compete for Grammys in the category of Best New Artist, against Silversun Pickups and the Ting Tings, R&B singer Keri Hilson, and country-rockers the Zac Brown Band for Best New Artist.  They will also vie for an award in the Best Pop Performance By a Duo or Group with Vocals category for their oft-played song, “Kids.” In this category they will be competing against the songs “I Gotta Feeling” by Black-Eyed Peas, “We Weren’t Born to Follow” by Bon Jovi, “Never Say Never” by The Fray, and “Sara Smile” by Daryl Hall & John Oates.

Congratulations to some of Wesleyan’s most notable alums.

About gpalmer

Gianna Palmer is a senior English and Sociology major from Eugene, Oregon. At Wesleyan, Gianna has written for the Argus and Wesleying, and tutored through the Writing Workshop. Outside of Wesleyan, Gianna has interned/written for Preservation Magazine in Washington, D.C. and the New York Daily News. Besides heading up the Blargus, Gianna is keeping busy her senior year by doling out funds as a member of the Student Budget Committee, dancing in student-choreographed pieces and scoping out the class of 2014 as a senior interviewer in the Admissions Office.
  • Andrew

    I hope I’m not too biased. But I don’t like the Ting Tings or the Silversun Pickups. I think MGMT is the best crossover from indie obscurity to pop stardom between those three rock acts. I don’t know anything about Hilson or the Zac Brown Band. But just from radio playtime, hype, and a number of (likely meaningless) lists in various publications, I think MGMT is a shoe-in for Best New Artist.

  • Benjamin

    I like the two singles ‘time to pretend’ and ‘kids’ by MGMT but was disappointed seeing them live whereas The Ting Tings were awesome live (Lollapalooza, Terminal 5 NYC) . There’s something real about their energy and their album is full of original ideas. So many albums I buy have just one or two tracks worth having. ‘We Started Nothing’ has at least 5 killers. I also like the fact that they not only write but produce their own sound. They’re very unique and for that they should win.

  • Joanne

    Damn, my two fav bands are going head to head…. The Ting Tings had their album out in ’08 and are newer whereas my other love MGMT had their album out before that in ’07. (Silversun Pickups had a hit in 2007 with “Lazy Eye” so they shouldn’t be in this). The Ting Tings for best new Artist and MGMT for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals. Perfection!

  • shutup i’m not giving you my real name idiots

    funny… first two posters names are ben and andrew

  • the real ben

    didn’t write the first one

    silversun should win

  • The real real Ben

    I hope MGMT wins

  • joanne

    funny… first three postsers are ben, andrew, AND JOANNE (: ie. my name. but that’s not me. i think this friendship is meant to be guys.

Twitter