Grammy nominees with Seattle connections

The Seattle music scene drew more than its share of Grammy nominations this year. Here's a breakdown of the talented locals.

Chris Cornell, best song written for motion picture, television or other visual media: He's known best as frontman for grunge band Soundgarden and later the rock band Audioslave, but now Cornell can count another achievement. The Seattleite is nominated for "You Know My Name," used in the James Bond film "Casino Royale." Cornell wrote the song with Grammy award-winning British composer David Arnold.

Cornell released his second solo album, "Carry On," last June. It peaked at No. 17 on the Billboard 200 chart (www.chriscornell.com).

Stephen Stubbs, best opera recording: Seattleite Stubbs is nominated for his work "Lully: Thésée." He shares it with Eastman School of Music Professor Paul O'Dette, tenor Howard Crook, soprano Ellen Hargis, mezzo-soprano Laura Pudwell, bass Harry van der Kamp and producer Renate Wolter-Seevers. Stubbs is on the faculty of the Seattle Academy of Baroque Opera.

This season, he is a guest conductor with Vancouver's Pacific Baroque Orchestra, Solamente Naturali of Bratislava and the Holland Baroque Society. In 2009, Stubbs will debut his own opera company, Pacific Operaworks in Seattle (www.seattleacademyofbaroqueopera.org/faculty.html).

James Ehnes, best instrumental soloist(s) performance (with orchestra): Associate artistic director of the Seattle Chamber Music Society, Ehnes was nominated for his recording of violin concertos by Barber, Korngold and Walton with conductor/composer Bramwell Tovey and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

Ehnes has been performing with the Seattle Chamber Music Society's summer festival for the last 13 years. The violinist is currently on tour in Spain and Berlin (www.jamesehnes.com).

The Shins, best alternative music album: The indie rock band shot to fame with Zach Braff's movie "Garden State" when Natalie Portman's character proclaimed their music as life-changing.

Started in 1997 in Albuquerque, N.M., the band was signed in 2000 to Seattle indie label Sub Pop Records.

Their 2007 Grammy nominated album, "Wincing The Night Away," debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart and is nominated for a Grammy. Their album producer, Joe Chiccarelli, is also nominated for producer of the year, nonclassical category (www.myspace.com/theshins).

Flight of the Conchords, best comedy album: The New Zealand musical comedy duo is best known for its awkward yet dry humor. They've earned a dedicated following with their geeky but cool songs about robots decimating humankind, semi-beautiful ladies and David Bowie.

The two — Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie — are signed to Seattle's Sub Pop Records and star in their own HBO show. Their Grammy nominated EP, "The Distant Future," was released last August, and a full-length recording is set to come out April 22 (www.myspace.com/conchords).

Eddie Vedder, best song written for motion picture, television or other visual media: Pearl Jam frontman Vedder was nominated for the song "Guaranteed," from the movie "Into the Wild." Directed by Sean Penn, the film is about student/seeker Christopher McCandless, who hitchhikes to Alaska to find the meaning of life.

Like his previous music, Vedder's work for the film is hauntingly beautiful. There are wordless howls and chants. And the soundtrack is a bit of a debut solo album of sorts, featuring Vedder and only a few guests (www.intothewild.com).

Craig Thompson, best recording package: Portland graphic novelist Thompson was nominated for his artwork on Menomena's album "Friend and Foe," on the Seattle indie label Barsuk Records.

Thompson is best known for his 2003 award winning graphic novel, "Blankets," a coming-of-age memoir about losing faith and falling in love. During a "Blankets" CD tour, he met Portland indie-rock band Menomena, and collaborated with them on their album. And when Menomena toured Europe, Thompson drew onstage. He is now working on a book he describes as an Arabian night's tale, set to come out in a few years (www.dootdootgarden.com).

Don Clark, best recording package: Seattle artist Clark was nominated for his work on alterative rock band the Fold's album, "Secrets Keep You Sick," for Seattle rock label Tooth & Nail Records.

This is the third nomination in a row for Best Recording Package for Clark's firm. Called Invisible Creature, the Queen Anne firm focuses on the music industry, designing album packaging and gig posters.

Clark also plays guitar in his own heavy-metal band, Demon Hunter (invisiblecreature.com).

Tucker Martine, best engineered album, nonclassical: Former Seattle resident Martine was nominated as engineer of "Floratone," a collaborative music project involving drummer Matt Chamberlain, guitarist Bill Frisell and producer Lee Townsend.

Martine now lives in Portland but works in Seattle. The producer has worked with the likes of the Decemberists, Jesse Sykes and Sufjan Stevens. Martine also recently worked with Death Cab for Cutie guitarist Chris Walla on his solo album, "Field Manual," and "The Lucky Ones," the upcoming record by Seattle punk band Mudhoney(www.mountanalog.com).

Eric Tingstad, best new age album: Burien native and fingerstyle guitarist Tingstad is already a Grammy winner, for his 2003 album with oboist Nancy Rumbel called "Acoustic Garden."

This time he is nominated for his piece "Southwest," described as "ambient Americana," with twinges of country and a New Age sound (erictingstad.com).

Marian Liu: 206-464-3825 or mliu@seattletimes.com