September still seems like a long way off but it’s time for us to look at this year's SAY Award eligible nominations and pick our favourites.
Last year Sacred Paws took the title of Scottish Album of the Year 2017 with their debut album
‘Strike A Match’. Being crowned ‘Scottish Album of the Year’, as chosen by those in the industry
and the public, is a huge achievement.
Whether your album has been considered eligible or it makes the top 10, whether you vote online,
go to the award ceremony or talk about the industry we have, just being part of this entire process in
some way brings you into the fold that is the Scottish music industry and it is a great thing to be part
of, support and be involved with.
What we love about this award (and similarly the SAMA (Scottish Alternative Music Award)) is the
attention the ‘local’ industry receives. Events like this celebrate this part of our culture which can be
so overlooked at times. It’s our chance to really give credit to the industry and have time to reflect on
another year of great music.
attention the ‘local’ industry receives. Events like this celebrate this part of our culture which can be
so overlooked at times. It’s our chance to really give credit to the industry and have time to reflect on
another year of great music.
With that being said, we do have our personal favourites. August 1st is the day the list of 250+ eligible
albums becomes just 20. Afterwards, the public is given their chance to vote for their favourites and
the long list of 20 becomes the short list of 10.
albums becomes just 20. Afterwards, the public is given their chance to vote for their favourites and
the long list of 20 becomes the short list of 10.
So, who do we want to see win? Quite a few albums actually.
The Xcerts ‘Hold On To Your Heart’ is up for nomination, alongside Catholic Actions debut ‘In Memory
Of’ and Pinact’s ‘The Part That No One Knows’ - three albums we were excited about on release day.
Of’ and Pinact’s ‘The Part That No One Knows’ - three albums we were excited about on release day.
An album we didn’t expect to see was Nieves ‘Exist and Expire’. For some reason it took us by
surprise, even although we watched the bands set at last years XpoNorth, just a few months after
the album dropped.
surprise, even although we watched the bands set at last years XpoNorth, just a few months after
the album dropped.
Another favourite from last year which we clung to after (again) XpoNorth is Pronto Mama’s ‘Any Joy’.
We were on the fence about Pronto Mama for a while, mostly questioning how a band could pull
tracks like these off live. We were desperate to see the band live and when they were announced as
part of the festival, we just had to see them. It was there, in a crowded bar in Inverness, that we came
to have a whole new appreciation for the band. The stage seemed more crowded than the gathered
crowd, with multiple instruments for each of the six band members fighting to find a space. The album
that we previously liked became loved after that night. A debut album that managed to project Pronto
Mama into the spotlight of a larger listening audience and captured everything this band of six
personalities is about.
We were on the fence about Pronto Mama for a while, mostly questioning how a band could pull
tracks like these off live. We were desperate to see the band live and when they were announced as
part of the festival, we just had to see them. It was there, in a crowded bar in Inverness, that we came
to have a whole new appreciation for the band. The stage seemed more crowded than the gathered
crowd, with multiple instruments for each of the six band members fighting to find a space. The album
that we previously liked became loved after that night. A debut album that managed to project Pronto
Mama into the spotlight of a larger listening audience and captured everything this band of six
personalities is about.
However, there is one album in this entire collection of new albums that stands out to us. We’ve had it
on repeat since 00:01 am on the August night it came out. Neon Waltz’ ‘Strange Hymns’.
on repeat since 00:01 am on the August night it came out. Neon Waltz’ ‘Strange Hymns’.
Set to play Bellahouston Park supporting Catfish and The Bottlemen in August and having recently
sold out King Tuts, this album signifies the period in time where Neon Waltz went from being a band
‘you think you’ve heard of’ and became ‘the band whose music you know’.
sold out King Tuts, this album signifies the period in time where Neon Waltz went from being a band
‘you think you’ve heard of’ and became ‘the band whose music you know’.
It felt like a long time coming, its release seemed to be so far away and then all of a sudden it was
released for the world to hear. As we write this, our vinyl copy sits at the very front of our shelved
collection. The black and amber coloured cover sitting in front of past number 1 albums and ‘records
you have to own’, it’s a testament to the Scottish music industry and proof music is being created far
beyond the confines of Glasgow and Edinburgh.
released for the world to hear. As we write this, our vinyl copy sits at the very front of our shelved
collection. The black and amber coloured cover sitting in front of past number 1 albums and ‘records
you have to own’, it’s a testament to the Scottish music industry and proof music is being created far
beyond the confines of Glasgow and Edinburgh.
If it were up to us, 'Strange Hymns' would be our winner.
However, it isn’t up to us. We have the same influence as anyone else in the decision-making
process. If you agree with us or think we’re completely wrong, vote for who you think should win this
years SAY Award when voting opens in the next few weeks. If your still undecided you've got a lot of
listening to do.
You can find more about the award, information about the award ceremony and anything related on the
official site www.sayaward.com.
process. If you agree with us or think we’re completely wrong, vote for who you think should win this
years SAY Award when voting opens in the next few weeks. If your still undecided you've got a lot of
listening to do.
You can find more about the award, information about the award ceremony and anything related on the
official site www.sayaward.com.