THE LONGLIST for this year’s Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award has been announced – and Glaswegian artists have made up almost half of the list.
Nine Glasgow-based musicians have been included in the 20-strong longlist and are all hoping to scoop the prestigious prize – now in its tenth year – next month.
Fresh off the King Tut’s stage from his debut TRNSMT appearance, rising star Joesef’s EP Does It Make You Feel Good? has secured a coveted spot on this year’s longlist.
The singer, who hails from the city's East End, said: “I’m proud to say I love these tunes and to be acknowledged by The SAY Award in this way means a lot to me.
“I thought my managers were joking at first, but aye – cheers.”
Glasgow-based rapper Bemz and post-rockers Mogwai – whose tenth studio album As the Love Continues was tipped to scoop this year's Mercury Prize – have also been included in the SAY longlist.
This year’s SAY Award, developed by the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA), aims to celebrate musicians’ creativity during lockdown, as all albums submitted were released during the Covid-19 pandemic.
There were 327 eligible album submissions this year, with the longlist being narrowed down once again to a shortlist of ten records in mid-October.
Other Glaswegian artists who made the cut are singer-songwriter Lizzie Reid and saxophonist Matt Carmichael.
DJ and producer TAAHLIAH, who released her debut EP Angelica earlier this year, has also been listed in the final 20 contenders.
Reflecting on the news, the Glasgow-based musician said: “Angelica was created out of love for myself and the experiences I’ve had in life which have led me to be who I am today.
“For my debut project to be recognised in this way feels wonderfully gratifying.”
The winner of the award will be given a £20,000 cash prize and all nine runners up will receive £1,000 each when the final ceremony is held in Edinburgh next month.
Alongside saxophonist and composer Paul Towndrow and Glasgow trio Kübler-Ross, self-proclaimed ‘gloom pop’ band The Ninth Wave have earned their place in the top 20.
In a statement, The Ninth Wave said: “We were taken aback when our first album was longlisted for The SAY Award last year and when it made the shortlist we were even more excited.
“For the follow up to that album to be longlisted is truly amazing, especially since it includes the first pieces we’ve ever recorded that were completely self-produced.
“Thank you to everyone who’s supported us on our journey and evolution across these releases.”
The judging panel this year includes author Ian Rankin, poet Jackie Kay, actor Daniel Portman, comedian Ashely Storrie and The Charlatans’ frontman Tim Burgess.
A 72-hour public vote to secure one longlisted album’s place in the shortlist will take place from September 27-29.
Robert Kilpatrick, creative projects and communications director at the SMIA, said: “With a massive congratulations to 2021’s longlist also comes a thank you – to the artists and their teams for providing escape, connection and outstanding bodies of work at a time when we’ve never needed them more.”
Alan Morrison, head of music at Creative Scotland, said: “If you need proof that the Scottish music scene is emerging strong and defiant from months of lockdown, then look no further than this year’s SAY Award longlist.”
The SAY Award shortlist will be revealed on October 16 and winners will be announced at the final ceremony in Edinburgh on October 23.
The SAY Award Longlist 2021 in full:
AiiTee – Love Don't Fall
Andrew Wasylyk – Fugitive Light And Themes Of Consolation
Arab Strap – As Days Get Dark
Bemz – Saint of Lost Causes
Biffy Clyro – A Celebration of Endings
Carla J. Easton – WEIRDO
Erland Cooper – Landform (Feat. Marta Salogni)
Fergus McCreadie – Cairn
Jenny Sturgeon – The Living Mountain
Joesef – Does It Make You Feel Good?
Kübler Ross – Kübler Ross
Lizzie Reid – Cubicle
Matt Carmichael – Where Will the River Flow
Mogwai – As The Love Continues
Paul Towndrow – Deepening The River
Rachel Newton – To The Awe
Stanley Odd – STAY ODD
TAAHLIAH – Angelica
The Ninth Wave – Happy Days!
The Snuts – W.L.
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