SAY Award 2020 - the shortlist

During this crazy year, where there have been no gigs since March, music fans have had way more time than usual to go back through their record collection and to add to it by discovering new music.

Tim Burgess has helped shine a light on the art of the album, with over 500 listening parties to date! And over the last few nights he has held parties for all of the shortlisted albums for the 2020 Scottish Album of the Year Award, with the winner set to be announced tonight (Thursday 29/10).

With everything going on in the world, I think the SAY Award 2020 is the most important year for the award yet. It really does give us all a night to reflect on our creative and talented nation and appreciate the music, the art, the nights out and the friendships that often come through a shared love of music.

It's worth taking a moment to think of the artists, bands and labels across Scotland who are still getting music out into the world during current restrictions. Those that are still creating - thank you.

And my thoughts go out to venues, staff, promoters, sound engineers and all the crews that help to put on incredible events throughout Scotland; from stadium shows and festivals, through to modern venues like the Hydro and all the incredible small venues across the land. Your work alongside bands and artists brings so much joy to so many people and I can't wait to get out to gigs again. Imagine the atmosphere at those first shows where we can go wild! 

I can't begin to imagine how difficult things are for you, take care.

So the SAY Award 2020!

Over 300 albums were nominated for the award and the 10 remaining have a chance to win an incredible £20,000! 

That kind of money can make a huge difference to bands and artists; established or new. And speaking of new, I should highlight that eight debut albums make up the shortlist this year! 

The 10 shortlisted albums in the running are;

Blanck Mass - Animated Violence Mild

Bossy Love - Me + U

Callum Easter - Here Or Nowhere

Cloth - Cloth

Comfort - Not Passing

Declan Welsh & The Decadent West - Cheaply Bought, Expensively Sold

Erland Cooper - Sule Skerry

The Ninth Wave - Infancy

NOVA - RE-UP

SHHE - SHHE

Personally, I've really fallen for the Erland Cooper album and bought it on vinyl at the weekend. It's a truly beautiful and emotive album. And I'm also very fond of the Callum Easter album and wish I had followed up on recommendations from people to check it out much earlier than I did. It's got a real charm and warm feel to it and I love the variety throughout.

The eponymous debut album by Cloth has won many fans and their #timstwitterlisteningparty last night was very enjoyable and insightful. I think it might be the favourite to win.

I've enjoyed attending a number of SAY Award ceremonies over the years. This time people from all over the world can attend! Simply subscribe to The SAY Award YouTube channel.

The ceremony will begin at 7pm tomorrow night - Thursday 29th October.

Previous winner include; Auntie Flo w/ Radio Highlife, Young Fathers w/ Cocoa Sugar, Sacred Paws w/ Strike A Match, Anna Meredith w/ Varmints, Kathryn Joseph w/ Bones You Have Thrown Me And Blood I've Spilled, Young Fathers w/ Tape Two, RM Hubbert w/ Thirteen Lost & Found and the inaugural winner back in 2012 was Bill Wells & Aidan Moffat w/ Everything's Getting Older.

Read on for a little bit about the shortlisted albums for 2020.

Good luck to all and well done for making the shortlist.

ABOUT THE SHORTLIST Blanck Mass - ‘Animated Violence Mild’ Animated Violence Mild was written throughout 2018/2019 at Blanck Mass’ studio outside of Edinburgh. These eight tracks are the diary of a year of work steeped in honing craft, self-discovery, and grief - the latter of which reared its head at the final hurdle of producing this record and created a whole separate narrative: grief, both for what I have lost personally, but also in a global sense, for what we as a species have lost and handed over to our blood-sucking counterpart, consumerism, only to be ravaged by it. Bossy Love - ‘Me + U’ Glasgow-based, enigmatic, alt-pop duo Bossy Love - comprising Scottish producer, songwriter and drummer John Baillie Jnr (Dananananakroyd / BABE), and Indonesian/Australian vocalist and songwriter Amandah Wilkinson (Operator Please), released their highly-anticipated, debut, 12-track album, ME + U in November, amidst a storm of critical acclaim. Further developing their style for emotionally candid and confessional, yet anthemic, IDGAF lyrics, atop propulsive, rich, pop production, ME + U was selected by The Guardian in their list of Best Albums 2019, before highlighting Bossy Love a second time; in their list of Amazing Musicians To Watch Out For In 2020: “Me + U is the stuff fantasies are made of… best Scottish pop act since Chvrches.” Callum Easter - ‘Here or Nowhere’ Callum Easter’s dark poetic vision find its most compelling form yet on Here Or Nowhere – a sparse, stark, deeply personal and by turns hopeful, menacing and despairing clutch of intuitively retro-futuristic songs united, as he explains, by “a feeling that the world is fucked up and a belief that people can fix it together.” It’s entirely written, performed, recorded and even mastered by the artist himself between his flat and his studio, save for backing vocals from Sisters Jacqui and Pauline Cuff (Soho/Leith Congregational Choir), as captured by Tim London. Cloth - ‘Cloth’ Recorded at Scottish indie mainstay Chem 19 with engineer Derek O’Neill (King Creosote, The Phantom Band), Cloth is the self-titled debut album by the acclaimed Glasgow-based three-piece. At once hauntingly sparse and sonically grandiose, Cloth weaves a gentle spell over its 10 carefully crafted tracks. Minimal, chiming guitars, punctuated by deep electronic grooves, set a lush backdrop for Rachael Swinton’s soaring voice, as she recounts tales of lost friendships (‘Curiosity Door’) and melancholic reverie (‘Brooklyn’). The album artwork for Cloth was designed by Glasgow-based artist Jamie Johnson. Comfort - ‘Not Passing’ NOT PASSING All standards are falsehoods I am no less a woman than a cis-gendered runway model Prejudices are not opinions There is no debate Let them think i look like a man Let them think I am mentally deluded I am cultivating in the cracks of their disgust I have nothing to live for but myself My womanhood needs no permission This record is for the people who don't make it Who don't feel safe enough to live it Who will be Who are We deserve our beauty And the world will catch up to us Declan Welsh & The Decadent West - ‘Cheaply Bought, Expensively Sold’ Recorded at 7west and produced by Glasgow staple Chris Marshall, the album affirms the message that politics are always personal. They’re tethered to our every day and whether it’s through music, social media or conversations with friends, this need for collective comfort and camaraderie is more important than ever. As opener and single ‘No Fun’ cheekily asks in a London accent, who even listens to guitar music anymore? For Welsh and The Decadent West, it’s a need to create messages of solidarity to those that feel lost and unheard, providing an insatiable, refreshing contrast to the squawking suppressors. Erland Cooper - ‘Sule Skerry’ ‘Sule Skerry’ is the second album in a triptych by the contemporary composer and multi-instrumentalist Erland Cooper. Described by MOJO as “Sonic postcards from Cooper’s native Orkney”, the series examines the air, sea and land, as celebrated by Orcadian poet George Mackay Brown. Sule Skerry is bookmarked by Cooper’s solo debut, Solan Goose (an album of the year at 6Music, The Quietus, Music OMH and more) and by 2020’s Hether Blether. On Sule Skerry Erland Cooper takes inspiration from the sea, describing the album as “a nautical map, something to refer back to when you get lost at sea”. The Ninth Wave - ‘Infancy’ From explorations of self-torment and paranoia (“This Broken Design”) to not being accepted by society (“Flower Into Wounds”) and the overwhelming fatigue of living in a superficial culture(“Half Pure”), “Infancy” is, at its core, a mirror of the darkest facets of living in modern society. The Ninth Wave’s uncompromising message is delivered in a gargantuan, electrifying sonic style that can’t fully be likened to anyone who’s come before them. NOVA - ‘RE-UP’  «Re-Up» exists to replenish the underground and remind them what Nova is really about. DIY written all over the album’s DNA, Nova offers her unfiltered truth on crime, clubs, afters and getting money and self-growth. Bassy trap sits side by side with lo-fi hip hop and heavy grime features beats by $1000 Wallet, Inkke and Kami-O, AJM, T.Morgan & Evil M, all local producers based in Scotland, complemented with imagery of drunken street fights, a twisted game of Monopoly and sniper staring down the viewfinder. SHHE - ‘SHHE’ SHHE’s self-titled debut album is a sparse, evocative and atmospheric journey of introspection and exploration of identity that demonstrates her ability to capture movement, change and the light and darkness that haunt the human condition. It was impacted by her time in Iceland, where she began work on a project that explores the connection between sound, landscape and sleep. The album is an encapsulation of Shaw’s breath-taking gift for wrapping carefully constructed electronic soundscapes around delicate yet self-assured vocals and lilting melodies. SHHE has found herself on the precipice of unlimited creativity and she’s ready to dive in head first.

SAY Award 2019 - Auntie Flo

Radio Highlife by Auntie Flo

On Friday night Auntie Flo's Radio Highlife album won the coveted Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award at a glittering ceremony in Edinburgh's Assembly Rooms.

The artist benefited from the exposure the award generates and also walked away with a cheque for £20,000. A sum of money that makes a huge difference to artists.

I say walked away, but Auntie Flo was actually on stage in the Isle of Skye, playing a festival he had been booked for long before making the longlist and eventually the shortlist. Check the moment he found out he won the award.

The moment @Auntie_Flo found out he won the #SAYaward 2019 while closing the tower at #SkyeLive! 🍾 pic.twitter.com/J4s7famRAY

— Skye Live Festival (@SkyeLiveFest) September 6, 2019

The Assembly Rooms was an absolutely perfect choice of venue; central for transport, historic, classy, looking incredible and really adding to the sense of occasion. Creative Scotland's Alan Morrison spoke passionately about the difference the award was making, the importance of the album as an artistic statement and body of work and how proud he was that Creative Scotland had supported 40% of the artists that made it to the longlist of 20.

The drinks flowed courtesy of sponsors Harviestoun Brewery as artists, journalists and the hard working people behind the scenes in the music industry mingled and debated who they thought should be the winner.

My favourite was rather obvious and after my sister Carla's album Impossible Stuff I was rooting for the Andrew Wasylyk and Free Love albums, also appreciating Kathryn Joseph's incredible talents. I have to say I was nowhere close to predicting Auntie Flo as the winner.

Brian d'Souza, AKA Auntie Flo

However, through my sister making the shortlist, I was closer to the SAY Award than ever before. So I have a newfound admiration for the effort that goes into the award, the confidence it gives to artists longlisted and shortlisted through recognition and the benefit it brings to them through promotion. And on top of that there is the incredible £20,000 prize, I knew how life changing that would be for my sister! But I think it would be pretty life changing for a lot of the artists on the shortlist, if not all of them.

It's not easy to fund and sustain art, so well done to the SAY Award and the SMIA (Scottish Music Industry Association) for creating such an incredible prize fund for the winner and also for the others on the shortlist who each received £1,000.

My playlist with a song from each of the shortlisted albums

As the drinks reception closed we were called to the main hall, although there were regular excursions to the bar! I was in the bar when Young Fathers walked in, looking super cool, it was like the room stopped to see them, they were stylish and in the zone.

Young Fathers announced the SAY Award 2019 winner

The tension and excitement was building. Vic Galloway and Nicola Meighan were excellent as hosts, bouncing off each other and introducing music on stage (Heir of the Cursed was particularly mesmerising)  and also the shortlisted artists to make speeches.

I was super proud of my sister as she used this opportunity to thank many people who have supported her in making, releasing and promoting the album. It was great that she took Lloyd from Olive Grove Records up on stage with her to highlight his energy, work and support, stating; 'the Scottish music scene is a brighter place for having Lloyd from Olive Grove in it'.

I think I had something in my eye.

Carla J Easton with Lloyd from Olive Grove Records

Kathryn Joseph echo'd the thoughts of quite a few people I spoke with when she said that she was surprised The Twilight Sad's album had not made the shortlist. The short and longlists did highlight the development of Kathryn's and the Sad's label; Rock Action records, the label is really coming on and the biggest compliment I can pay the good folk there is that it is no longer referred to as Mogwai's label.

I was involved in a bit of a Twilight Sad debate at the bar. My friend Kat loves them but I just can't get into them at all - fair play to the band for the progress they are making, their development has been astonishing. Also fair play to the judges for going with what they like, not what the masses like (Chvrches) or what large sections of the media enjoy - The Sad.

The beauty of the SAY Award is that it does provoke debate and at the end of the day it is all a matter of taste. I think Nicola Meighan said to the room 'we all know that music and art is not a competition' .What some love, others will hate, what some think is amazing, others will think it is shite but occasionally people will hold their hands up and appreciate something, even if they don't like it.

It was fantastic to see all of the shortlisted artists sharing chat and jokes with each other as they waited to go up and collect their shortlist award.

The SAY Award shortlisted artists in attendance

Auntie Flo did seem to be a surprise winner for the majority of the room though. There was an audible gasp when it was announced by Young Fathers.

That said, Radio Highlife more than deserved to be in contention and perhaps its importance as a record (like many albums released before it) will only become known years down the line. Certainly, if you can imagine a 2039 documentary looking back at the state of the world in 2019 and you see Auntie Flo winning the SAY Award it is a very positive statement for our country and the creation and support of art within it.

Brian d'Souza on winning the SAY Award

I hope Radio Highlife continues to earmark Scotland as a place of openness, diversity and compassion in a time when all the above seems to be getting questioned.

On purely musical grounds, it means a lot - I've always tried to do something different, say something unique and sound true to myself with my productions, so it's hugely satisfying that this approach has led to recognition in this way.

The songs and sounds that make up Radio Highlife have been the literal soundtrack to my life as a DJ over the past 7-years - every tune loaded with layers of personal memories that make it an extra special album for me.

The announcement actually happened towards the end of my set. I noticed my phone going a little crazy and then when the organisers showed up with a bottle of champagne, I knew I must have won! I celebrated by playing one of my all-time favourite tunes (Laurent Garnier - Man With The Red Face) and serving champagne to the crowd who were none the wiser. They probably thought I do that every set! 

It was almost poetic to be in one of the most beautiful places in Scotland and doing what I love doing the most when I found out the news.

Auntie Flo's Radio Highlife is the 8th winner of the SAY Award, joining the eclectic, eccentric and electric list of;

Everything's Getting Older - Bill Wells and Aidan Moffat

Thirteen Lost and Found - RM Hubbert

Tape Two - Young Fathers

Bones You Have Thrown Me And Blood I Have Spilled - Kathryn Joseph

Varmints - Anna Meredith

Strike A Match - Sacred Paws

Cocoa Sugar - Young Fathers

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SAY Award 2019 shortlist - artists feelings and tastes

THE SCOTTISH ALBUM OF THE YEAR SHORTLIST HAVE THEIR SAY ON BEING INCLUDED ON THE 2019 LIST…

Speaking about being included on this year’s Shortlist of 10 outstanding albums, Aidan Moffat and RM Hubbert: “We're very happy to find ourselves on this year's SAY Shortlist – in just a few years it's become an essential celebration of Scotland's huge and diverse musical output, and we're looking forward to discovering a few new names too.”  Andrew Wasylyk said: “To have snuck on to the Shortlist alongside such brilliant records is a deep privilege and an honour. I'm looking forward to saluting these wonderful Scottish artists and their work." Auntie Flo said: “Radio Highlife is a result of seven years of musical collaborations and sonic adventures with dozens of amazing people I've had the fortune to meet on my travels as a DJ. It is great that the album has been recognised for this year’s SAY Shortlist.”  C Duncan said: “I feel very honoured to be in the Shortlist for The SAY Award given the calibre of the other nominees. It is such an eclectic list that really shows how diverse the musical scene in Scotland is.” Carla J Easton said: “I feel like I'm dreaming. 'Impossible Stuff' is the album I have always wanted to make and simultaneously the album that almost never happened. The journey it continues to take me on surprises me each and every day.” Fergus McCreadie said: “It’s truly an honour to be included on such a prestigious list. The Scottish Jazz scene is coming to be a force to be reckoned with, and to be representing that scene (especially amongst some really incredible albums) is such a pleasure.” Free Love said: “We're both really honoured to be on this year's Shortlist with ‘Luxury Hits’. A lot of love, sweat and hard work went into the making of it.  For a country that punches so high above its belt in musical output, we're very proud to be considered for this award.” Karine Polwart (with Steven Polwart & Inge Thomson) said: “The SAY Award has brought so much new music to my ears over the past eight years. But for me, the key breakthrough has been Kathryn Joseph.  ‘Bones You Have Thrown Me And Blood I’ve Spilled’ is emotionally devastating, visceral stuff, as is ‘From When I Wake The Want Is’. She’s a legend. And her ascendance on the Scottish music scene - her rawness, her vulnerability, and her sheer human loveliness - is evidence enough of the value of the award.” Kathryn Joseph said: “I am very, very proud to be on the Shortlist this year and everyone else on it is amazing and beautiful. I cannot wait to wrestle so many great humans that I love and we are a very lucky land to have such a great and generous music award that everyone can be part of.”  Mastersystem said: “The most important thing about being nominated is the fact we are there as a result of a public vote. That recognition means more than anything. Thank you.”

THE SAY AWARD SHORTLIST CURATE A LIST OF THEIR TREASURED SCOTTISH ALBUMS

Andrew Wasylyk’s most influential Scottish albums included Michael Marra’s‘Posted Sober’, The Delgados’ ‘The Great Eastern’, Trashcan Sinatras‘Weightlifting’ and Boards of Canada’s ‘Geogaddi’. Andrew also chose The Beta Band’s ‘The Three EP’s’, saying: “In 1998 I was on the cusp of leaving school. These E.P.’s seemed to echo that period of change - brimming with possibility and excitement. They always had wonderful artwork too. I’ve still got my ‘Flower Press Issue 2’ fanzine.”   Carla J Easton picked from a huge range of Scottish albums, to create her top five including Lungleg’s ‘Maid To Minx’, V-Twin ‘The Blues Is A Minefield’ and is the second Shortlisted artist to choose The Beta Band’s ‘The   Three   EP’s’.   Carla   also   chose Teenage Fanclub’s ‘Songs From Northern Britain’ saying: “Teenage Fanclub remind me of my big brother. He played their albums constantly when I was growing up and the songs would bleed through my walls (our house is legit made from straw!). It showcases all three songwriters perfectly. I’m in the Fanclub ‘Fanclub’ on Facebook and someone posted about the three styles of writing in a way that – for me – sums it up perfectly. Norman – I love you let’s get out the city, Gerry – I love you let's go to outer space, Raymond – I love you please-don’t-ever-f*****g-leave-me.”   C Duncan spoke about his love for Cocteau Twins ‘Heaven or Las Vegas’ saying “For me, this is one of the most melodically beautiful albums ever written.” C Duncan also picked Billy Mackenzie - 'Beyond The Sun’ commenting, “This album is sublimely enigmatic and unusual.”

Fergus McCreadie selected his favourite Scottish albums and included Konrad Wiszniewski ; Euan Stevenson’s 2013 SAY Longlisted album ‘New Focus’, saying: “I grew up with this album (the pianist Euan Stevenson was my teacher, so that’s maybe why!) It’s extremely eloquent and well arranged.”Fergus also chose Tom Gibbs’ ‘Fear of Flying’ and Tommy Smith’s ‘Beasts of Scotland’. Free Love chose a bunch of great records including Ivor Cutler ‘Jammy Smears’, Mogwai ‘EP + 6’ Arab Strap ‘Philophobia’, Errors ‘Have Some Faith In Magic’ plus Cocteau Twins ‘Heaven or Las Vegas’. Speaking about ‘Philophobia’ by Arab Strap, Lewis from Free Love said: “This album was my introduction to Arab Strap when I was about 14 and to me it was punk without all the hackneyed tropes. It was recognisable and real, bold and provocative, but also personal and emotional.” Of the Cocteau Twins’ record, Suzie said: “There's something otherworldly about the chorus riddled guitars and Liz Fraser's somersaulting, often unintelligible vocals that take us on a soft focus journey to a pop dream world.”

Karine Polwart with Steven Polwart & Inge Thomson also picked The Cocteau Twins ‘Heaven or Las Vegas’ saying: “I went to school in Denny and local heroes The Cocteau Twins were living proof that gorgeousness was possible. Heaven or Las Vegas is by far my favourite of their albums. Every member of that band was a creative genius, but Liz Fraser’s voice, her broken, bonkers lyrics and melodic idiosyncrasy are transcendent. To me that band sound like Grangemouth at night, all neon lights and steel and futuristic spires. And nothing will make me dance round my living room like Iceblink Luck.”  Additionally, Karine Polwart chose Dick Gaughan ‘Handful of Earth’ commenting: “The subsequent Scottish pop of the 90s pretty much passed me by, because I was obsessed with song archives and late night folk sessions at the time. The key to the door was Leith legend Dick Gaughan’s classic album Handful of Earth. It’s a soulful master class in how to make centuries old songs sound as fresh as the day they were born. And it reminds me of my grandfather.” And finally, Karine Polwart picked Martyn Bennet ‘Grit’ saying: “I was sound checking with a trad song project called Scottish Women when Margaret Bennett first let the mighty Traveller singer Sheila Stewart hear herself sampled on Move, the opening track of her son Martyn Bennett’s 2003 album Grit. It was an amazing collective moment. None of us had heard anything quite like it. That album, how it combines trad archive recordings, beats and classical orchestration skills, transformed what Scottish folk music could mean, and do. It was a total game changer.”

Kathryn Joseph chose A Mote of Dust’s self-titled album, crediting the album with helping her to create her own masterpiece, saying: “Hearing this record played live and how much it affected me is why ‘From When I Wake The Want Is’ exists because it broke my brain open. The way music can make you feel the truth of things is amazing.”  She also chose The Twilight Sad’s ‘It Won/t Be Like This All The Time’, commenting: “This record and these humans is/are perfect and I am broken hearted that it isn’t on the Shortlist this year because it deserves to be. They are the soundtrack to me getting to go and tour America for the first time and if I could spend my life listening to them play all of these songs every night for the rest of my life, I would die happy. The noise they make is beauty and the way they make it feels important to all of us humans trying to be ok. There is no one better live.” For her final record, Kathryn Joseph selected Mogwai’s ‘Les Revenants’ adding: “This is maybe my most listened to record – it is perfect beauty.”  Winners of this year’s public vote, Mastersystem selected two classic Scottish albums as their favourites, choosing Idlewild’s ‘100 Broken Windows’ with Grant Hutchison saying: “This album made me want to be in a band because of its raw, raucous sound and simplicity and unashamed rough edges.”Mastersystem also chose one of Scotland’s biggest bands, and their good friends, The Twilight Sad’s ‘Fourteen Autumns And Fifteen Winters’ as their second choice, with Grant saying the album “changed my life and is the best example ever of powerful ear splitting noise and beautiful emotional vulnerability.”

You can listen to the curated list of treasured Scottish albums via The SAY Award Playlist here.  The winner of Scotland’s national music prize, The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award 2019, will be revealed tomorrow (Friday 6 September) as the ceremony moves to Edinburgh for the very first time, at The Assembly Rooms. An audience of artists, esteemed industry figureheads and engaged music fans from all over the UK will gather at the final award ceremony in a stunning celebration of Scotland’s flourishing music scene, with emerging Scottish acts LYLO, Heir of the Cursed, Cucina Povera and Man of Moon showcasing at the event. Presented by co-hosts Vic Galloway and Nicola Meighan, the night will end in style by announcing the winner of the prestigious award, as well as the lucrative £20,000 prize.

The SAY Award Shortlist, in alphabetical order – Aidan Moffat and RM Hubbert – Here Lies The Body Andrew Wasylyk – The Paralian Auntie Flo – Radio Highlife C Duncan – Health Carla J. Easton – Impossible Stuff Fergus McCreadie Trio – Turas Free Love – Luxury Hits Karine Polwart with Steven Polwart & Inge Thomson – Laws of Motion Kathryn Joseph – From When I Wake The Want Is Mastersystem – Dance Music Developed by the Scottish Music Industry Association, 2019’s campaign is delivered in partnership with Creative Scotland, City of Edinburgh Council, YouTube Music, Harviestoun Brewery, Ticketmaster New Music, PPL, Sweetdram, The Queen’s Hall and charity partner Help Musicians Scotland.

Now in its eighth year, previous winners of The SAY Award include Young Fathers ‘Cocoa Sugar’ (2018), Sacred Paws ‘Strike A Match’ (2017), Anna Meredith ‘Varmints’ (2016), Kathryn Joseph ‘Bones You Have Thrown Me And Blood I’ve Spilled’ (2015), Young Fathers ‘Tape Two’ (2014), RM Hubbert ‘Thirteen Lost & Found’ (2013) and the inaugural winner Bill Wells and Aidan Moffat ‘Everything’s Getting Older’ (2012). Follow The SAY Award’s 2019 journey on Twitter @SAYaward, Instagram @sayaward and Facebook @SAYaward

The SAY Award longlist to shortlist

The Scottish Album Of The Year Award has been such a welcome addition to the Scottish music scene, celebrating, valuing and highlighting the incredible talent and love our nation has for music.

Over 300 eligible nominations were received for the 2019 SAY Award and 100 judges each had 5 votes to produce the longlist of 20 albums listed below. Read on for full info about the cut to the shortlist.

Prior to the longlist being announced I tweeted 5 albums that I would have voted for if I was a judge. 4 of them have made the longlist! Sadly L Space's Kipple Arcadia didn't.

So I'm personally rooting for the following;

Carla J Easton - Impossible Stuff;  This is a huge step forwards from my sister’s work with TeenCanteen and Ette (as much as I love both those albums), a real coming of age as a songwriter and performer. Packed with hooks, melodies, honest, clever and playful lyrics. This is the album Carla has always wanted to make. Don't just take my word -The Skinny review

Andrew Wasylyk - The Paralian; I had Andrew's last album down as a potential winner in 2018 and it didn't even make the longlist! His show at the Mackintosh Church in Glasgow last summer supporting The Pastels was sublime. A real talent with an incredible ear for music. Don't just take my word - The Skinny review

Free Love - Luxury Hits; progressing all the time on their own path, playing life affirming live shows, it was through the SAY Award that I first discovered Free Love when they were known as Happy Meals. Brilliant experimental pop. Don't just take my word - The Skinny review

Edwyn Collins - Badbea; full of energy, ideas and soul. I love Edwyn Collins, he is a national treasure, an incredible songwriter and performer. I look forward to his show at the QMU later this month. Don't just take my word on it - The Guardian review

Unlike the more celebrated Mercury Music Prize, there is no listing fee or cost to participate and the general public can 'Have their SAY' and cast a vote to influence which albums will proceed to the shortlist.

The SAY Award public vote is open from midnight on Monday 12th August until midnight on 14th August. The longlisted album with the most votes will automatically gain a place on the shortlist, as well as a guaranteed minimum prize of £1,000, It also means that this album will be in with a chance to be hailed as Scottish Album Of The Year 2019 with the winning artist receiving a £20,000 prize.

To vote - head to www.sayward.com from Monday 12th August. Anyone who votes is automatically entered into a ballot to win a pair of tickets to the exclusive invite-only SAY Award ceremony, which this year takes place at the Assembly Rooms in the heart of Edinburgh on Friday 6th September.

The winner of the public vote will join nine other shortlisted titles chosen by the SAY Award judging panel who will be selecting from;

The SAY Award Longlist for 2019 is: 1. Aidan Moffat and RM Hubbert – Here Lies The Body 2. Aidan O’Rourke – 365: Vol. 1 3. Andrew Wasylyk – The Paralian 4. Auntie Flo – Radio Highlife 5. Brìghde Chaimbeul – The Reeling 6. C Duncan – Health 7. Carla J. Easton – Impossible Stuff 8. CHVRCHES – Love Is Dead 9. Edwyn Collins – Badbea 10. Fatherson – Sum Of All Your Parts 11. Fergus McCreadie Trio – Turas 12. Free Love – Luxury Hits 13. Graham Costello’s Strata– Obelisk 14. Karine Polwart with Steven Polwart and Inge Thomson– Laws of Motion 15. Kathryn Joseph – From When I Wake The Want Is 16. Kinnaris Quintet – Free One 17. Mastersystem – Dance Music 18. Niteworks – Air Fàir an Là 19. Sean Shibe – softLOUD 20. The Twilight Sad – It Won/t Be Like This All The Time

The 72-hour public vote opens on 12 August, closing on 14 August before the Shortlist is announced on 15 August as part of a special BBC Radio Scotlandshow from 21:00. Developed by the Scottish Music Industry Association, 2019’s campaign is delivered in partnership with Creative Scotland, City of Edinburgh Council, YouTube Music, Harviestoun Brewery, Ticketmaster New Music, PPL, Sweetdram, The Queen’s Hall and charity partner Help Musicians Scotland.

Previous winners of The SAY Award include Young Fathers ‘Cocoa Sugar’ (2018), Sacred Paws ‘Strike A Match’ (2017), Anna Meredith ‘Varmints’ (2016), Kathryn Joseph ‘Bones You Have Thrown Me And Blood I’ve Spilled’ (2015), Young Fathers ‘Tape Two’ (2014), RM Hubbert ‘Thirteen Lost & Found’ (2013) and the inaugural winner Bill Wells and Aidan Moffat ‘Everything’s Getting Older’ (2012). Follow The SAY Award’s 2019 journey on Twitter @SAYaward, Instagram@sayaward and Facebook @SAYaward

SAY Award 2018 launch

The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award launched this week as labels, bands, bloggers, journalists, fans, record shops and venues were encouraged to nominate Scottish albums released between 1st April 2017 and 31st March 2018. Full criteria for nominees can be found HERE

The list of nominees is building steadily and submissions are open until 31st May. The (always) lengthy list is then whittled down to a longlist of 20 and then that subsequently becomes  shortlist of 10, one of which comes from a public vote.

I love the SAY Award which really shines a light on the diversity and quality of music our small country regularly produces. I love browsing the nominees and trying to predict who might make the longlist, who will go on to the shortlist and who is in with a shout of winning.

Nominations have only just opened and there are some big hitters - Franz Ferdinand are the largest band on there buoyed by a new line-up including blog fave Miaoux Miaoux; Mogwai's remarkably consistent output of albums ensures they are in the running (have they been in the nominees every year?); then we have Roddy Woomble, previous winners Young Fathers,  Karine Polwart is another artist that is prolific and on the rise, as is Blue Rose Code and we have veterans Hue and Cry.

Conflats by Out Lines, the collaboration between Kathryn Joseph and James Graham from Twilight Sad won many friends upon release, although I have to be honest and say that I just couldn't get into it. I do expect it to fair well though.

It's good to see Ryan Joseph Burns (formerly of blog faves Seventeenth Century) on with his album Absence that I really need to check out. The SAY Award is a good reminder - I still need to check out Any Joy by Pronto Mama and Body Prt Fly Invisible Hero - great title and I'm listening to the opening track as I type.

I recently blogged about the Broken Records album and really hope that progresses to the longlist.
And then I've been digging in and have been enjoying The Great Albatross album Asleep in the Kaatskills which has a great feel to it and brilliant playing. It's kind of country, rock n roll and euphoric indie in the vein of Arcade Fire at times.

Themes for Buildings and Spaces by Andrew Wasylyk is really beautiful and I'd mark that as an early contender for the shortlist and a potential winner. It's very different and it stands out. The vivid song titles like Under High Blue Skies and Come the Autumn are matched by cinematic, dreamy, melancholic instrumentals. I really enjoyed listening to it and will definitely revisit.

Solan Goose by Erland Cooper is an album I checked out after hearing a track on Radio Scotland. A real headphone album, it is another beautifully dreamy album that you can get lost in. Definitely in with a shout of progressing to the next stage and beyond.

Kiss and Tell by Babe is another album I've enjoyed on first listen. A Jimmy Somerville-esque falsetto soars over electronic bleeps, beats and grooves. While No Lusicous Life by Golden Teacher is far out super cool grooves and electronica. It sounds extremely different from anything else I've checked out so far and stands out.

Starin' At The Freaks by December 91 is a title that grabbed me. They sound like they are in their own little world which is something I always like in a band.

 Friends with good taste have encouraged me to keep listening to Post Era by Lylo as the rewards grow with every one.

Speaking of titles, my sister emailed me to say she had nominated an album she discovered via Bandcamp called You Could Not Have Given The Slightest Of F**ks by Jonny Shitbag and the Smokes! It had been released on a tiny Paris based cassette label. It is brilliantly raw punk pop.

I blogged about Siobhan Wilson's album There Are No Saints and it is a real gem, her voice is stunning. I really expect it to progress.

Many indie artists have had a very productive year or so; Spinning Coin with Permo and Martha Ffion with Sunday Best to name but two.

And Last Night From Glasgow has a strong chance of matching (and hopefully beating) last years progression to the longlist with a range of brilliant albums that highlight the superbly eclectic range of music being released - the homemade psychedelic pop from Stephen Solo; the stunning voice, playing, songwriting and feel from Sister John; a mix of electronica, grooves and swagger from Medicine Men, electronic goodness from Sun Rose and young Annie Booth delivering an album that highlights her talent at present and potential for the future on a joint release with Scottish Fiction.

The list of nominations is still growing and I have loads of albums to check out. I hope you enjoy discovering the brilliant music that Scotland produced from April 2017 to the end of March 2018.

Keep up to date with the nominees and listen to them via www.sayaward.com 

2017 Scottish Album of the Year Award - the nominations

 

The chance to nominate an eligible album for Scottish Album of the Year was open throughout March and the list of nominees is quite incredible; truly highlighting the incredible artistic talent that graces and enhances our small nation. Bands and artists from all kinds of genres are there, we have old bands, brand new bands, DIY releases, major label releases and DIY label releases.

Arguably Scotland's biggest band - Biff Clyro is on the list, old timers enjoying a new lease of life Deacon Blue are there, we have Fatherson, Frightened Rabbit, Amy MacDonald, KT Tunstall, Emeli Sande, the exceptional talent that is King Creosote, the mighty Mogwai, the Mary Chain, personal faves Teenage Fanclub, the effervescent Travis, the returning Trashcan Sinatras and the energetic Twin Atlantic.

Scottish indie/DIY labels (and self releases) are well represented by the likes of Randolphs Leap. Hector Bizerk, TeenCanteen, Ette (Bandcamps number 4 album of 2016), Little Kicks, Machines In Heaven, HQFU, Modern Studies, Mt. Doubt, Rick Redbeard, Sacred Paws.....and much, much more. This is a growing scene and one that offers a real treasure trove of talent.

Scottish hip-hop is represented, folk, country, electronica, classical, avant garde.....there is something for everyone, so much to explore and treasures to discover.


Just 20 albums will make the longlist, that is then whittled down to 10 for the shortlist and they go

through to the SAY Award ceremony in Paisley on 28th June.

The SAY Award has been a welcome and exciting addition to the Scottish music calendar since inception; previous winners are Bill Wells and Aidan Moffat (2012), RM Hubbert (2013), Young Fathers (2014), Kathryn Joseph (2015) and Anna Meredith (2016).

The format of nominees, longlist and shortlist maintains interest and builds excitement and anticipation. The 4-month run from the start of March to the end of June offers music fans around the world ample time to explore Scottish artists from all backgrounds.

However, it is impossible (at least for me) to listen to every single album that has been nominated. That is probably why the SAY Award have 100 judges to start with!

Here is a list of some of the albums I've enjoyed, it will be interesting to see how many make it through to the longlist and the shortlist. Could the winner be among them? Those marked with an * are my own top 10/shortlist, but I look forward to discovering albums as things progress towards the ceremony in Paisley on 28th June.

Barrie James O'Neill - Cold Coffee

* Ette - Homemade Lemonade

Fiona Soe Paing - Alien Lullabies

* HiFi Sean - ___Ft

HQFU - HQFU

The Jesus and Mary Chain - Damage and Joy

* King Creosote - Astronaut Meets Appleman

Machines In Heaven - Phenomenology

* Mark W Georgsson - Faces and Places

* Modern Studies - Swell To Great

Mt. Doubt - In Awe Of Nothing

Pictish Trail - Future Echoes

Rick Redbeard - Awake Unto

* Sacred Paws - Strike A Match

* Stephen Solo - Pii

* Teenage Fanclub - Here

* TeenCanteen - Say It All With A Kiss

The Little Kicks - Shake Off Your Troubles

* The Pooches - The Pooches

Trashcan Sinatras - Wild Pendulum

The SAY Award is a prestigious and exciting arts prize produced by the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA), with confirmed partners for 2017 including Paisley for UK City of Culture 2021, Creative Scotland, TicketWeb and PPL. Boasting a lucrative £20,000 prize for the winner and nine runner up prizes of £1,000 each, the award celebrates, promotes and rewards the most outstanding Scottish albums released each year. Respected by artists and valued by the industry, The SAY Award is responsible for a surge in musical discovery and an explosion of impassioned debate on social media. The SMIA is encouraging artists, labels and the general public to submit eligible albums released between 1 April 2016 and 31 March 2017. #SAYAward #SAYeligible17