Media Release: Scottish Album of the Year Award – longlist announced

THE Scottish Music Industry Association [SMIA] is delighted to announce the longlist of 20 albums for the 2013 Scottish Album of the Year Award.

The albums on the list represent a dazzling range of genres and musical styles highlighting, once again, the extraordinary depth of talent being produced in Scotland.

Open to Scottish artists who released albums in 2012, the longlist is the product of a rigorous and thorough nomination process, with submissions received by 100 specially-invited nominators from the Scottish and UK music industries as well as elsewhere in the arts and media. See Format & Eligibility Guidelines for more details.

A four-week promotion of the longlist will follow, allowing the public to stream every one of the twenty longlisted titles. The promotion concludes with a 24 hour public vote on Monday 27th May when the public can choose their favourite from the list. The album with the most public votes will secure an automatic place on The SAY Award Shortlist of ten, with the other nine titles being chosen by an independent panel of judges – see notes for editors for full list of judges.

The SAY Award Longlist is: (in alphabetical order)

Admiral Fallow Tree Bursts In Snow

Auntie Flo Future Rhythm Machine

Calvin Harris 18 Months

Dam Mantle Brothers Fowl

Django Django Django Django

Duncan Chisholm Affric

Emeli Sandé Our Version of Events

Errors Have Some Faith In Magic

Human Don’t Be Angry Human Don’t Be Angry

Karine Polwart Traces

Konrad Wiszniewski & Euan Stevenson New Focus

Lau Race The Loser

Meursault Something For The Weakened

Miaoux Miaoux Light of the North

Paul Buchanan Mid Air

PAWS Cokefloat

RM Hubbert Thirteen Lost & Found

Stanley Odd Reject

The Twilight Sad No One Can Ever Know

The Unwinding Hours Afterlives

Artists’ quotes:

“We’re delighted to have made the long list for this year’s SAY award with Tree Bursts In Snow. It is particularly pleasing given that the votes for this stage of the award have been collected from a great number of people within the arts in Scotland and further afield. There were some tremendous Scottish records out last year and we are thankful to be given the nod alongside them.” Admiral Fallow

“I attended the awards last year and thought they were a big success. Very honoured to be part of the nominations and great to see this level of support for Scottish music.” Auntie Flo

“It’s a nice surprise to be recognised as part of Scotland’s dynamic and spirited musical community in this way. It’s great that so many independent artists are being supported in a longlist that could only begin to draw attention to the mass of ideas being bounced around within these far-reaching musical zones. Thanks for your support.” Dam Mantle

“It is the ultimate aim while creating an album, that the end result be embraced and enjoyed positively. For Affric to be included in the long list for an award which strives to focus attention on the Scottish music scene and in particular, on the fact that it has become one of the most vibrant, influential and well respected in the world – is fantastic. This award gives huge opportunity to musicians from all genres and in particular to independent labels such as my own.” Duncan Chisholm

“It feels great to be nominated for this award. it’s really unexpected but a great surprise. We’re up against some healthy competition but that’s the positive thing about it because it means that the music scene in Scotland is thriving. From hip hop to folk to rock to dance music scotland is producing great talent and it’s an honour to be part of an award showcasing that talent.” Django Django

“We’re really pleased to be part of the longlist. There were some great records released last year and the SAY award gives us another opportunity to celebrate all of them.” Errors

“I am frankly shocked at being nominated. There’s a lot of good new, innovative and enjoyable music coming out of Scotland right now so I’m fortunate to have been accidentally lumped in with all of that. I’m especially pleased the nomination’s for Human Don’t Be Angry, as it’s an album that’s very dear to me and which I feel is the highlight of my musical career so far. Besides, when I don’t win it’ll be my alter-ego that’s lost, not me.” Malcolm Middleton

“I followed last years SAY Awards and bought two new albums from two great bands I’d never heard of before – Conquering Animal Sounds and Happy Particles. For musicians like me, I think any opportunity that might get folk curious about music that’s new to their own ears deserves a wee cheer. The trick is to remember that we don’t make music to compete with each other, or for awards or accolades. But it’s brilliant to get a wee punt.” Karine Polwart

“Delighted to be nominated for the SAY Award. It’s a real boost to learn that our music is being recognised, valued and appreciated in our own country.” Konrad Wiszniewski and Euan Stevenson

“Lau are absolutely delighted to be nominated for the 2013 SAY award. Last year’s list contained many of our favourite albums of 2012. It’s an exciting time for Scottish music and we’re chuffed to be part of it.” Lau

“We’re really pleased to be counted among such great artists at this years SAY award, it means a lot.” – Neil Pennycook of Meursault

“I’m delighted and amazed to be nominated – there’s so much excellent music in Scotland, it feels very special. Making an album is a long road and this is a pretty great destination” Miaoux Miaoux

“We feel extremely flattered to be included on the list for this years SAY award. The record was written and recorded during some tough times and its aftermath – so far it has guided into happier times. If one handful of folks liked the record I would’ve been happy all the same as 100 people liking it. So to be nominated for this we are very grateful. Thanks.” PAWS

“I’m a little speechless to be honest. It’s a real honour to have Thirteen Lost & Found included in the long list for the Scottish Album of the Year award, especially given how 2012 brought so many brilliant albums out of Scotland.” RM Hubbert

“We are delighted to be included in the longlist for this year’s Scottish Album of the Year Award. The format of the awards is excellent in that it represents the quality and diversity of music being made across the country and provides a platform for this to be heard and celebrated. Every album from last year’s Awards was of such a high calibre and to have Reject considered among the 20 best records to come out of Scotland in 2012 is quite frankly amazing.” Stanley Odd

“In my opinion, Scotland has consistently produced some of the best music in the world and last year was no exception. As a band, we are extremely proud of our third record, ‘No One Can Ever Know’.

“Where we are from is very important to us and the music we make, so this record making the long list for the SAY award is something that means a lot to us. To be acknowledged amongst a group of records made by artists who we look up to and admire makes it extra special.” James Alexander Graham, The Twilight Sad

“It’s lovely to hear we have been included in the longlist and a privilege to be included alongside some of our favourite Scottish bands and musicians. I think it will be an extremely tough job trying to decide a winner due to how many fantastic albums are up for selection. Good luck with that!” Craig B, Unwinding Hours

The SAY Award has been made possible through the support of Creative Scotland and, this year, is delighted to welcome onboard new creative partners Dewar’s, music licensing organisation PPL and Glasgow’s east end urban regeneration organisation, Clyde Gateway. The award will also be strengthened by the joint media partnership of the Sunday Herald and The Scotsman. (see statements below).

Andrew Eaton-Lewis, group arts editor, The Scotsman and Scotland on Sunday, said: ”The Scotsman is delighted to support the SAY Award. Scotland’s independent music scene is thriving, as reflected both in the coverage in the Scotsman and Scotland on Sunday – where the likes of FOUND, Meursault, Conquering Animal Sound, King Creosote and Chvrches regularly share space with artists from beyond Scotland – and our Radar new music blog and monthly Under the Radar new music column, which are dedicated entirely to supporting independent music made in Scotland. We look forward to working with SAY on raising the profile of some fantastic Scottish albums from the past year.”

Richard Walker, editor, Sunday Herald, added: ”At a time when Scottish music is experiencing a creative upsurge the Sunday Herald is delighted to be associated with the SAY award. The range and diversity of the music coming from Scotland is astonishing and the Sunday Herald and its sister paper, The Herald, believe its our job to encourage that creativity and to help bring the best of that music to as wide an audience as possible. The long list acts as an impressive showcase for that music and we look forward to providing coverage of the nominated performers in our print and digital platforms.”

ENDS

For further information, interviews and photographs:

Print | Broadcast Media: contact Wendy Niblock | 07961 814834 | wendy@sayaward.com

Online | Social Media: contact Stacey Walton | 07855 181780 | stacey@sayaward.com

Follow us on Twitter: #sayaward

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

1. Key dates for your diary

Monday 29th April – Sunday 26th May:

Longlist Promotion via SAY Award app and website.

Monday 27th May:

24-hour public vote.

Thursday 30th May (drinks reception at the CCA):

The SAY Award shortlist announcement

The SAY Art Commission winner announcement

Opening of Art Commission Group Show

Thursday 20th June:

Scottish Album of the Year Award ceremony – Barrowland Ballroom.

The SAY award supports the Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy in Scotland charity and will be collecting donations on their behalf at the award ceremony.

2. Judges – full biographies

John Williamson (chair, academic); Douglas Anderson (author/broadcaster/writer); Christopher Brookmyre (author); Stewart Cruickshank (radio producer); Tom Doyle (author/journalist); Douglas Gordon (visual artist); Kate Molleson (journalist); Joe Muggs (journalist/A&R); Jude Rogers (journalist); Tjinder Singh (Cornershop; Ample Play Records); Rebecca Vasmant (DJ/producer); Sue Wilson (journalist).

3. Partner Organisations:

Scottish Music Industry Association www.smia.org.uk

Creative Scotland www.creativescotland.com

Dewar’s Scotch Whisky www.dewars.com

PPL www.ppluk.com

Clyde Gateway www.clydegateway.com

Sunday Herald www.heraldscotland.com

The Scotsman www.scotsman.com

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