SCOTTISH ALBUM OF THE YEAR SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED

The Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) is delighted to unveil the hotly anticipated shortlist for the inaugural Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award. All ten albums remain in contention for the coveted £20,000 prize.

After 100 music and arts industry figures from across Scotland submitted their nominations for the Scottish Album of the Year, a longlist featuring the 20 highest scoring records was announced on April 12th. That longlist has now been reduced to a shortlist of 10 following the deliberations of a specially invited judging panel. The shortlist features one record voted for by the general public who have been able to listen to all 20 longlisted albums online and via a specially designed SAY Award app. With the voting ‘window’ only open for 24 hours on May 14th, more than 9,000 votes were submitted online and via the app.

The SAY Award is one of the UK’s most exciting and progressive arts prizes with the shortlist reflecting the same stylistic diversity and depth of talent that made the longlist so impressive. The list features a host of acclaimed collaborations including King Creosote and Jon Hopkins and Bill Wells and Aidan Moffat; the dancehall and dub reggae of Mungo’s Hi-Fi alongside the acid-jazz fusion of Tommy Smith; the complex instrumentals of Mogwai and Remember Remember; the breathless techno invention of Rustie and the ethereal ambience of Happy Particles; the A-list straddling angst-rock of public vote winners Twin Atlantic offset by the glacial, micro-electronica of Conquering Animal Sound.

The Scottish Album of the Year Shortlist is (in alphabetical order):

· Bill Wells & Aidan Moffat - Everything’s Getting Older
· Conquering Animal Sound - Kammerspiel
· Happy Particles - Under Sleeping Waves
· King Creosote & Jon Hopkins - Diamond Mine
· Mogwai - Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will
· Mungo’s Hi Fi - Forward Ever
· Remember Remember - The Quickening
· Rustie - Glass Swords
· Tommy Smith - Karma
· Twin Atlantic - Free (public vote winners)

The winning album will be announced at a prestigious ceremony in Glasgow Film City on Tuesday 19th June, earning a grand prize of £20,000. The nine runners-up will each receive £1,000. All ten shortlisted finalists will receive an artwork from the winner of a unique SAY Award art commission which celebrates the enduring links that exist between music and art. The commission, valued at £20,000, will be offered to graduates from Scotland’s four principal art schools with the winning graduate (selected, in this pilot year, from Glasgow’s School of Art) producing ten artworks to be donated as prizes for the shortlisted finalists.

Caroline Parkinson, Director of Creative Development for Creative Scotland, said: “The SAY Award is a fantastic recognition and celebration of Scotland’s rich and diverse musical talent, as this shortlist confirms. We are a nation of music lovers, the award is a brilliant way to connect these music lovers with our talented artists. Even better that the public, in this the Year of Creative Scotland 2012, have had a say in the shortlist.”

Stewart Henderson, Chair, Scottish Music Industry Association, said: “This is a list of Scottish artists that excites, inspires, challenges and entertains, and for that we should all feel enormously proud.”

For the latest Scottish Album of the Year Awards news, check out www.sayaward.com,
www.facebook.com/SAYaward and follow on Twitter @SAYaward

Quotes from Nominated Artists

“Im honoured, humbled and proud to be part of what I hope will become a permanent fixture in Scotlands music scene. Its worked well so far – Ive discovered some great records Id never have heard of otherwise, but it also appears that I know at least half of the shortlist, so whatever the outcome Im pretty much guaranteed a cracking night out.” Aidan Moffat

"Brilliant news that weve made the shortlist - making the longlist was great for us, but to be considered one of the ten best Scottish albums for 2011 is a real honour. Were in great company as well, so looking forward to the final result!" James Scott, Conquering Animal Sound

“Its still mind blowing to us that complete strangers appear to keep the record close to their hearts, its genuinely touching, thank you.” Steven Kane, Happy Particles

"Jon Hopkins and I are proud as punch to end up on the short list for the newest and coolest of prizes, the SAY Award. Of all the awards ‘Diamond Mine’ has been nominated for and subsequently lost, losing this one will smart most." King Creosote

"Its a huge honour for Mogwai to be part of the short list for the first Scottish Album Of The Year award. Were in great company on the list with some truly remarkable records made by some exceptional musicians and song writers. I think the award has highlighted how much great music is produced in Scotland every year and were delighted to be part of it." Stuart Braithwaite, Mogwai

“We are thankful for the support from the massive and promise to spend every penny into developing 360° of the Scottish scene, through promotions, music and video productions, collaborations, bringing visiting artists and touring Scottish talent around the world, proving that you can run a world act without being based in London.” Doug Paine, Mungo’s Hi Fi

"Regardless of who wins, I just hope that the award brings all of these great albums (short and longlisted) into the homes of people across the world who otherwise might not have ever heard of them. This is so surreal, I feel like Susan Boyle”. Graeme Ronald, Remember Remember

"Super happy to be considered for this award, recognition is always nice but this is particularly special as its from my homeland." Rustie

"I am so very honoured and flabbergasted to be considered for the short list. This recognition will go a long way to cradling the miniscule and spontaneous genre I represent. Many congratulations to the SMIA for supporting Scotland with this brave new initiative. I wish everyone great success and many thanks for the vote of confidence." Tommy Smith

"We are extremely honoured to be on the short list of contenders for the inaugural Scottish Album of the Year Award. This is a fantastic platform for Scottish artists who are sometimes overlooked for more UK wide accolades. We hope this award that will grow to rival the UK’s more established awards." Ross McNae, Twin Atlantic

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