The alt-rock/pop band took home three awards at Marshall’s Franke Center on Saturday, including video of the year, but a half-dozen other bands and videographers won honors, too.
Video Stars: Some of the winners at Saturday’s Michigan Music Video Awards in Marshall. (Courtesy Photo/Franke Center)
SCROLL DOWN FOR WINNERS’ LIST AND TO WATCH THE WINNING VIDEOS
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Grand Rapids alt-rock/pop band Phabies celebrated three wins Saturday during the 2024 Michigan Music Video Awards staged at Marshall’s Franke Center for the Arts, including the coveted “Video of the Year” honors for its impressive “Pink Christmas Tree.”
The video also won awards for best alternative video and best cinematography. The Phabies video was directed by A. Riley, with Jordan Skutar as director of photography.
Laura Hobson of Phabies said band members were “very surprised” by the awards and that Riley, Skutar and drone operator Ryan Humm should be “really proud of this win.”
“We had a ton of fun making ‘Pink Christmas Tree,’ but had no idea we would be awarded. It does feel nice for hard work to be recognized, trophy or not, and we left feeling very inspired by all the other artists,” Hobson said.
“Taking a vision that’s inside your head and attempting to recreate it is hard. I’ve been a visual artist for as long as I’ve been a musician and we really went all in on the set building and costuming for this video.”
Detroit’s Nadim Azzam was a two-time winner on Saturday, collecting awards for best rap/hip hop video and the audience choice award for “The Come Up.”
Kalamazoo’s Basic Comfort and Detroit-area artists Louie Lee, Fangs and Twang and Icarus Fell also won awards, with Romeo Keyser named best emerging filmmaker.
For the first time, The Franke Center also presented the Tom Franke Excellence Award for exceptional achievement in music video production, awarded this year to the Downriver Detroit Student Film Consortium.
‘Pink Christmas Tree’: A scene from the video of the year.
Hosted by The Franke Center, the 2024 edition of Michigan Music Video Awards also boasted performances by a diverse set of artists from across the state: Grand Rapids rock band Jack Droppers & The Best Intentions, and Detroit artists Michelle Held, (indie-folk) Louie Lee (country hop and roll) and Nadim Azzam (rapper/songwriter).
“We really love showcasing the diversity of Michigan’s musical talent and it makes for a really awesome night of entertainment,” said Jacob Gates, executive director of The Franke Center, noting that about 100 videos were submitted for this year’s competition.
“We … were really pleased once again with the number and quality of the submissions. There are some fantastic music videos being made in Michigan, and we’re proud to provide a place where they can be showcased and recognized for their excellent work.”
As for Phabies, the big winner of the night, a new album and another video are in the works.
“I’m always scheming new videos and trying to create ways to wear fun wigs and costumes. We need to find a ballerina for our next one, so if that’s you, reach out,” Hobson said.
“We’re currently on the road heading to Sabbath Recording in Cincinnati to finish up our second full-length album, ‘The Curse Of Caring.'”
THE WINNING VIDEOS
Saturday Performer: Jack Droppers & The Best Intentions on stage at The Franke Center. (Courtesy Photo)
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