Grammy schmammy.  In reality, the indie world doesn’t care as much as most of the music business about the yearly Great Grammy Circus, viewing them more as a self-serving and back-slapping exercise by the major labels.  Though that doesn’t stop a wry, mocking grin appearing when a number of independent acts end up being nominated in some of the major categories.  And even more so, like the 2011 awards, when a certain set of Canadians stole away with the Album of the Year prize, prompting more than one ‘Who is Arcade Fire?’ comment.  And while it may be a long shot, with the Adele juggernaut holding pole position, who knows if next year we might be hearing a chorus of ‘Who is Bon Iver?’  In fact, those rumblings have already begun, with Justin Vernon et al smashing the party with four nominations, including Song of the Year and Record of the Year (no, we don’t really know what the difference is either…) and Best New Artist. Mind you, considering the album almost topped the charts the week of release, proving that independent doesn’t necessarily imply marginal any more, there could be seen an element of logic to the nominations.  So kudos to Jagjaguwar, who likely stumbled into their gate-crashing, and also a tip of the cap to Glassnote, a label so ubiquitous with their success and sales levels that you almost forget they’re an independent, for clutching a couple of nominations for Mumford and Sons.  Further afield in those infinitely less sexy categories, Best Folk Album was littered with indies, including Sub Pop’s Fleet Foxes, for their sophomore album Helplessness Blues, along with The Civil Wars, Gillian Welch (Acony) and Steve Earle (New West). Wilco’s latest through dBpm/Anti popped up in the Best Rock Album finalists, and of course there were the Best Alternative Album ratings, that garnered a nominations for My Morning Jacket’s Circuital, along with the latest from Radiohead and the omnipresent Bon Iver… In other news, it seems a few weeks back we somehow we missed the fact ATO Records won the derby to sign hotly-tipped southerners Alabama Shakes.  For a label that was rumored to be winding down not all that long ago, they seem to have been busier of late, also signing the highly rated singer songwriter Caitlin Rose over the summer.  Both artists look to have their debut releases for the label due in the first half of 2012.  And another album due in the early part of next year that had the internet all abuzz this week, is the new solo record from former Screaming Trees singer Mark Lanegan.  After what has seemed like years in limbo, involved with various collaborations (Isobel Campbell, Soulsavers, etc) and appearing as a guest vocalist on a slew of other records (Queens of the Stone Age, etc), the info about Blues Funeral, due through 4AD on February 6, was news for rejoicing.  In typical Lanegan fashion, the first track released as a free download from the album is entitled “The Gravediggers Song”.