Skrillex, Band Perry, Bruno Mars Reveal Dream Grammy Collaborators

Skrillex

Last night’s Grammy nominations announcements brought both the expected (Adele, Kanye and Lady Gaga) and the unexpected (Bon Iver and Mumford & Sons getting nods in both the Record and Song Of The Year categories). But perhaps no moment brought about more of a holy shit response than 23-year-old Dubstep favorite Skrillex breaking into the prestigious Best New Artist category alongside the likes of Nicki Minaj and country success story The Band Perry.

Skrillex’s nomination, the first in that category for a dance artist, was hailed by L.A. DJ Jason Bentley as “A historic event for electronic music,” on his Twitter. Count Skrillex (real name Sonny Moore) among those blown away. Talking to Rolling Stone this morning he said, “It’s now just starting to hit me.”

But even as he’s starting to digest his five nominations, it still sems unreal to him. “I didn’t even think it was ever possible for any nomination, maybe Dubstep Music Awards, which happened this year in London. But I didn’t think I would have any nominations for anything like Grammys,” said Moore.

Moore’s surprise was totally justified, but 2011 performer Bruno Mars told press backstage he wasn’t so shocked by his six nods this

Bruno Mars

years. Asked if he was expecting anything like this he quipped, “Uh yeah. What do you think I’m doing this for, fun?”

Getting more serious though, he said he was very happy with “Grenade” being in both the Record and Song Of The Year categories. “It feels incredible” he said, saying of the track, “That’s the song we worked the hardest on. That’s our trophy right there.”

Mars performed on the telecast this past year and with his six nominations, he seems likely to be asked to play again this year. The Grammys are, of course, famed for their duets. If he could pick his dream partner, who would it be? “Prince for sure,” he said, adding, “If he’s listening, my number is 1-800-Grenade.”

Skrillex picked a perhaps more obvious choice. “It would be cool to do something with the Doors because I just did a track with them,” he told us, referring to his work with them on the upcoming ReGeneration film.

The Band Perry

Skrillex’s fellow Best New Artist nominees The Band Perry tipped their hand last night to their perfect Grammy pairing when they threw a snippet of Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin'” into their performance on the Nominations special. “We’ve always been in love with Tom Petty. He’s a huge influence of ours, just his songwriting sensibility,” Kimberly Perry told Rolling Stone.

The group has been doing the song since the summer, but they have yet to hear from Petty on their version. They hope that will change having now done it on national TV. “our fingers are crossed anytime that we play that live that someone who knows him or is a friend of someone will pass the word along,” Reid Perry says. “I guess you figured us out,” Kimberly said laughing. “We simply played ‘Free Fallin” to try and get a response from Tom Petty.”