MUSIC NEWS Scotland

#SaveOurScottishVenues

Kerri Watt, Seil Lien, Declan Welsh, The Jellyman’s Daughter and Bow Anderson are added to the line-up for the #SaveOurScottishVenues virtual festival taking place on Friday 19 June.

The full line-up of Scottish musicians supporting Scotland’s grassroots music venues is: KT Tunstall, The Xcerts, Hunter & the Bear, Wet Wet Wet, Be Charlotte, Fatherson, Luke La Volpe, Hue & Cry, Honeyblood, Anchor Lane, Kerri Watt, Seil Lien, Declan Welsh, The Jellyman’s Daughter and Bow Anderson.

Taking place across 3 ‘stages’, hosted by Vic Galloway and streamed on livefrom.events, the festival will be raising money to support Scotland’s vital grassroots music venues facing closure due to Covid-19.

Tickets on sale now from …..

http://www.universe.com/events/save-our-scottish-venues-tickets-edinburgh-307Q9X

Ticket prices:
£5 – to watch the festival live, in real-time, on Friday 19th June at 8pm
£8 – to watch the Friday night show as it happens and then return to watch any of the footage from Saturday 20th at 10am until Sunday 21st June at 10pm.

The weekend will start on Thursday 18th June at 8pm with a free-to-view performance by Fran Healy. Filmed on a hillside overlooking Los Angeles, this special acoustic performance will be streamed on Facebook @ http://www.facebook.com/musicvenuetrust/

Viewers will be able to donate to the Scottish national fundraiser page @ http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/saveourvenuesscotland or to venue’s individual fundraising pages.

The Scottish grassroots music venues that will benefit from ticket sales and donations include:

Audio, Glasgow – https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/saveaudioglasgow

Bannermans, Edinburgh – https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/bannermansliveedinburgh

Henry’s Cellar Bar, Edinburgh – https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/savehcb

Ivory Blacks, Glasgow – https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/ivorys-saveourvenues

Leith Depot, Edinburgh – https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/leith-depot

Lemon Tree, Aberdeen https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/lemontreeaberdeen

Mac Arts, Galashiels – https://crowdfunder.co.uk/savemacarts

PJ Molloys, Dunfermline – https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/pjmolloys

Slay, Glasgow – https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/saveslayglasgow

Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh – https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/sneaks-saveourvenues

Summerhall, Edinburgh – https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/savesummerhall

Temple Falkirk, Falkirk – https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/savetemplefalkirk

The Bongo Club, Edinburgh – https://www.facebook.com/TheBongoClubEdinburgh/

The Bungalow, Paisley- https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/df729995740b5a49eaf16da54206118c

The Glad Cafe, Glasgow- https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/saveourvenuesglad

The Tooth & Claw, Inverness – https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/thetoothandclaw

The View, Oban – https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/savetheviewoban

Speaking about the festival, Bathgate musician Luke la Volpe said “It’s absolutely vital that we support grassroots venues at the moment, because let’s face it, life’s shit without gigs. They’ve all had the rug pulled from under them by this whole terrible situation and the longer it goes on the harder it is for them to survive with no money coming in. The team at Music Venue Trust is working incredibly hard to support them and I’m really happy to be part of Save Our Scottish Venues alongside all these legends. Every single successful musician has been given a hand up by grassroots venues putting them on in front of people who love discovering new music. It’s time to give them a hand in return so every single venue can make it through this incredibly tough period and get the doors open again as soon as possible.”

The #saveourvenues campaign was initiated by Music Venue Trust in response to the continued economic threat to over 500 grassroots music venues throughout the UK. As a result of donations from music fans, music industry companies and other organisations, alongside important interventions from public bodies such as The London Mayor’s Office, Creative Wales and Arts Council England 207 grassroots music venues are now protected from imminent closure. However, even as the lockdown eases, the future of these venues remains bleak with only 3% of venues able to open under the proposed two metre distancing rules.

“There are over 60 Scottish members of the Music Venues Alliance, each of which is essential to the music ecosystem as social, economic and cultural hubs within their communities. The love that artists have for these spaces and the people who run them is clear from everyone stepping forward to help raise money to support venues through the crisis. Please enjoy these events and donate what you can to help.” Beverley Whitrick, Strategic Director, Music Venue Trust.

For more information on the #saveourvenues and #saveourscottishvenues campaign please visit: http://www.saveourvenues.co.uk

• Thank you to the Scottish Music Centre for sponsoring our ‘Latest News’ blog ….. find out about their work @ http://www.scottishmusiccentre.com/

The Musicians’ Union (MU) is highlighting its concerns that the musicians engaged to perform in this year’s stage band at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (REMT) were not remunerated for their work.

The MU, having liaised with the members involved, entered into dialogue with the REMT organisers during the summer, advising them that asking the musicians to work for free was unacceptable.

Despite encouraging early talks, the organisers have not engaged fully with the MU, deferring any decision about this to a Committee meeting scheduled for October, months after the Tattoo is closed for 2019.

Caroline Sewell, Scotland and Northern Ireland Regional Organiser for the MU said:

“The Tattoo is a hugely significant cultural spectacle, respected throughout the world and with understandably high-end production values, which sells hundreds of thousands of tickets during the month of August.

“The idea that the organisers are not able to pay musicians for providing their professional services is unfathomable, both to MU members and the wider cultural community who have been very vocal on the matter. The expectation for musicians to perform for no remuneration at an event of this magnitude is hugely damaging and sets a very dangerous precedent.”

Dave Webster, MU National Organiser – Live Performance, said:

“It is very disappointing that a company such as the REMT has not worked more proactively with us to reach a solution for this year’s event. In light of the Company’s apparent financial standing, we find it hard to comprehend their stance on this issue.”

http://www.theMU.org

• Thank you to the Scottish Music Centre for sponsoring our ‘Latest News’ blog ….. find out about their work @ http://www.scottishmusiccentre.com/

The ten Shortlisted albums for the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award were revealed this evening (Thursday 15 June) at a special BBC Music Day programming of the BBC Radio Scotland Quay Sessions.

The selected albums continue to confirm Scotland as a nation with incredible cultural importance, especially within music.

Last year’s SAY Award winner Anna Meredith visited the town of Paisley, host to this year’s SAY Award ceremony earlier today where she was greeted with a giant SAY Award logo outside Paisley Gilmour Street Station.

The SAY Award 2017 Shortlist is as follows (in alphabetical order):

C Duncan The Midnight Sun

Ela Orleans Circles Of Upper And Lower Hell

Honeyblood Babes Never Die

Konx-om-Pax Caramel

Meursault I Will Kill Again

Mogwai Atomic

Pictish Trail Future Echoes [Public Vote Winner]

Rachel Newton Here’s My Heart Come Take It

RM Hubbert Telling The Trees

Sacred Paws Strike A Match

The public can listen to and learn more about each album on The SAY Award Shortlist by visiting http://www.sayaward.com

2016 SAY winner Anna Meredith pictured today (15/06) in Paisley

Beginning in March, the process has taken almost 300 public submissions, to 20 Longlisted records, chosen by a panel of 100 impartial nominators, to the Shortlist of 10 albums; one of which was chosen by the public through a 72-hour online vote and the other 9 chosen by an independent panel of judges. This year’s shortlisted artists have each won £1,000, provided by long-term award partner Creative Scotland.  In addition to this, each artist will be awarded with an exclusively designed trophy created by the winner of The SAY Design Commission, Lisa Crockard.

The 72-hour voting window, which closed at midnight on Wednesday, saw Pictish Trail being voted on to the shortlist by the public.

Johnny Lynch, who goes under the guise of Pictish Trail said; “Wow.  Surprised, confused, humbled and mildly aroused to have won the popular vote for the Scottish Album Of The Year Shortlist.  Thank you to all those that voted for Future Echoes, and to all those who forgot to vote but who would have voted for a different album.  I couldn’t have done it without you. ”

Judges include Stuart Cosgrove (Writer/Broadcaster), Caroline Winn (Glasgow International), Roland Gulliver (Edinburgh International Book Festival), Amy Liptrot (Writer), Claire Gevaux (Help Musicians UK), Tallah Brash (The Skinny), Lauren Martin (Music Journalist), Andy Hannah (Line Of Best Fit), David Scott (University of the West of Scotland), Barry Price (Sub Club), Stephanie McWhinnie (TV Producer), John Williamson [CHAIR] (Glasgow University).

Composer and performer Anna Meredith also joined the show sharing news of her year since winning the coveted SAY Award for her album ‘Varmints’ in 2016.

The SAY Award winner will be announced on June 28th in the elegant surroundings of Paisley Town Hall in support of Paisley’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2021. The winning artist will pick up a £20,000 cash prize also provided by Creative Scotland.

The SAY Award is produced by the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA), in partnership with Paisley for UK City of Culture 2021, Creative Scotland, Black Bottle, TicketWeb and PPL. The award, which was launched in 2012, 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. Previous SAY Award winners are Anna Meredith (2016), Kathryn Joseph (2015), Young Fathers (2014), RM Hubbert (2013) and Bill Wells & Aidan Moffat (2012).

Andy Hannah, SAY Award Judge and Journalist for The Line Of Best Fit said: “It’s clear from previous winners that SAY award and the judges have chosen records which absolutely deserve all the plaudits which came their way before and after. It also brings vital, beautiful pieces of music to a wider audience – which can only be a good thing. As for this year, creating a shortlist isn’t any easy task when there are a number of records to get excited about. For me, it’s an honour to get to champion a handful of albums which have improved my life in the past 12 months.”

Robert Kilpatrick, Projects and Operations Manager, Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA), said: “On behalf of the Scottish Music Industry Association, I’d like to say a huge congratulations to the 10 fantastic albums that have been Shortlisted for this year’s SAY Award. The Shortlist, without doubt highlights the strength and diversity of the recorded output of our country’s artists, and we look forward to celebrating all 10 titles at The SAY Award ceremony later this month, where this year’s winner will be revealed.”

Jean Cameron, project director of Paisley’s bid to be UK City of Culture 2021, said: “Once again, the SAY Award shortlist shows the diversity and quality of Scotland’s music scene and we can’t wait to welcome the acts on the shortlist to Paisley Town Hall later this month for the ceremony itself.

We are delighted to be the SAY Award hosts for another year – not only does it show off Paisley’s unique venues and ability to host, but to have attracted one of the most prestigious dates in Scotland’s musical calendar to the town is a real thumbs-up for Paisley’s growing reputation as one of Scotland’s key cultural destinations.”

Alan Morrison, Head of Music at Creative Scotland, said: “One of the best things about the SAY Award Shortlist is that, year after year, it encourages music fans to take their ears into another territory and listen to something they haven’t heard before. Other awards can only look on in envy as the SAY Award puts traditional harp and flamenco-hued guitar next to thunderous power-pop and soundscape electronica, in the full knowledge that every album here is absolutely worthy of your undivided attention. All of these acts either put their own distinctive stamp on their chosen genre or bend the rules out of shape to create music that’s thrillingly hard to define. Creative Scotland is proud to support a shortlist that’s as uniformly great as this.”

Emma Casey, Global Marketing Manager for Black Bottle, said: “We’re delighted to be an official partner of The SAY Award this year. We’re proud of our roots in Scotland and passionate about doing things differently, so it’s great to celebrate the work of these talented Scottish musicians who have all created their own unique sounds”

Jonathan West, Director of Marketing & Artist Services, TicketWeb, said: “I really didn’t know how the panel were going to get the shortlist down this year. It’s really cool that the public have nominated Pictish Trail. He’s become a real icon of Scottish music over the last decade so it’s beautiful to see there’s still a place in the hearts of music fans for him. Bring on the ceremony, we can’t wait to be back in Paisley!”

Peter Leathem, Chief Executive, PPL, said: “For decades, Scotland has been a thriving hotbed of musical talent, nurturing artists as diverse and varied as Orange Juice, Belle & Sebastian and Camera Obscura right through to Biffy Clyro, Chvrches and Young Fathers.  This is why, at PPL, we think it is vitally important to continue our partnership supporting the SAY Awards, an event that recognises and puts on a spotlight on some of the best music coming out of Scotland.”

http://www.sayaward.com

http://www.facebook.com/SAYaward

Thank you to the Scottish Music Centre for sponsoring our ‘Latest News’ blog ….. http://www.scottishmusiccentre.com/

SAY Schedule:

Monday 13 – Wednesday 15 June: Music fans get their say in the 72-hour public vote
Thursday 16 June: The BBC Quay Sessions announces the SAY Award shortlist
Wednesday 29 June: SAY Award winner announced at Paisley Town Hall ceremony

The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award public vote is open from Monday 13 June until midnight on Wednesday 15 June, giving music fans all over the world 72 hours to choose their favourite album from The SAY Award Longlist. The public’s choice will be guaranteed a coveted slot on The SAY Award Shortlist, due to be exclusively revealed as part of a special live edition of BBC Radio Scotland’s The Quay Sessions on Thursday 16 June. Hosted by Vic Galloway, the show will also feature live performances from previous SAY nominees Fatherson and last year’s SAY Award Winner Kathryn Joseph.

The public have been able to stream the 20 longlisted titles in full and for free over the past four weeks at http://www.sayaward.com and can now cast their votes in support of the album they think should make the shortlist of 10. The album with the most votes at midnight on Wednesday will automatically make the list, earning a guaranteed £1,000 and the chance to be hailed Scottish Album of the Year 2016 and earn the £20,000 first prize. The winner of the public vote will join nine other shortlisted titles chosen by The SAY Award’s independent judging panel.

This year’s longlist represents another great blend of Scotland’s emerging and established talent and includes a diverse range of artists from internationally renowned Scottish bands and exceptional ‘artists to watch’ across all genres including hip-hop, classical, rock, electronic, indie, electro-pop and trad/folk, championing household names and exhilarating new discoveries alike.

The incredibly strong longlist lineup includes Primal Scream, FFS, CHVRCHES, Emma Pollock and Steve Mason, who feature alongside Isle of Lewis born trad musician Iain Morrison, Edinburgh-raised composer Anna Meredith, Celtic piper Jarlath Henderson and award-winning baroque ensemble Dunedin Consort, as well as previous winners Young Fathers and a first time nod to Mercury Music Prize 2015 nominee C Duncan.

Produced by The Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA), and now in its fifth year, The SAY Award has grown to become the most prestigious music prize in Scotland. Previous winners include Bill Wells & Aidan Moffat (2012), RM Hubbert (2013), Young Fathers (2014) and last year’s winner Kathryn Joseph who will be performing live as part of The Quay Sessions special on Thursday 16th June.

This year’s prestigious SAY Award ceremony will be held in Paisley Town Hall on Wednesday 29 June – the award’s first time outside of Glasgow in a two year partnership with Renfrewshire Council to support Paisley’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2021. Presented by regular hosts Vic Galloway and Janice Forsyth, the ceremony is attended by the cream of Scotland’s creative industries and will feature live performances by last year’s winner Kathryn Joseph, newcomers Bossy Love and White and the powerful folk ensemble Treacherous Orchestra.

The full SAY Award 2016 longlist is as follows (in alphabetical order): 

Stewart Henderson, Director of The SAY Award said: “The purpose of The SAY Award is to engage with as many music fans as possible, to generate debate and discussion and most importantly, support for the music that we all love. The public vote invites people not only from Scotland but from all over the world to have a say in which longlisted album is their favourite, and by helping to secure a place for that album on our shortlist, they will have materially benefited the artist in question. With the Hyundai Mercury Prize now adopting our public vote/judging panel format, it’s clear that The SAY Award remains ahead of the curve and one of the UK’s most progressive arts prizes.”

http://www.sayaward.com

https://twitter.com/SAYaward

http://www.facebook.com/SAYaward

Thank you to the Scottish Music Centre for sponsoring our ‘Latest News’ blog ….. http://www.scottishmusiccentre.com/