Scottish Album of the Year Award opens for 2019 entries as ceremony moves to Edinburgh for the first time

Young Fathers were last year's SAY Award winners

The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award has launched a call for entries for 2019, with this year’s ceremony set to take place in Edinburgh for the first time.

Now in its eighth year, The SAY Award encourages artists, labels and fans to submit eligible albums released between April 1 2018 and March 31 2019 that they believe deserves the honour.

All genres are welcomed for consideration for the longlist, with the winner being crowned via an online poll of a whittled down shortlist.

Having been held in Paisley last year, the award will this year be handed out at an event in the capital at The Assembly Rooms on September 6.

The artist of the top album will be awarded a £20,000 cash prize, and nine runners-up given £1000 each.

Robert Kilpatrick, General Manager at Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA), said: “Celebrating the album as a format has always been integral to the ethos of The SAY Award.

“Whilst curated playlists may now dominate listening habits for many music fans, artists across all genres still strive to create bodies of work that effectively showcase and reflect their artistic identity.

“Albums are life changing, and they’re as much about identity and connection for music fans as they are to the artists that create them. They’re important, they’re crafted and they deserve to be recognised as a huge artistic and creative achievement.

“As Scotland’s national music prize, it’s the job of The SAY Award to celebrate, promote and reward the most outstanding Scottish albums each year, regardless of sales, genre or record label affiliation. We’re delighted to launch 2019’s campaign, working with a fantastic set of partners.”

Developed by the SMIA, 2019’s SAY Award campaign is delivered in partnership with Creative Scotland, City of Edinburgh Council, Harviestoun Brewery, Ticketmaster New Music, PPL and The Queen’s Hall.

The campaign also has a charity partner in Help Musicians Scotland.

Designed to celebrate the extraordinary strength and diversity of Scotland’s musical landscape, The SAY Award has recognised the incredible achievements from a number of top artists over the years.

Edinburgh’s Young Fathers won their second SAY Award last year, and other nominees and winners include the likes of CHVRCHES, Slam, RM Hubbert, Honeyblood and Paolo Nutini.

2018 hosts Vic Galloway and Nicola Meighan

Alan Morrison, Head of Music at Creative Scotland, said: “The quality of music recorded and released in Scotland, in every genre, is phenomenal. Albums are made in professional studios and concert halls, in bedrooms and basements, and The SAY Award rounds them all up and shouts about them from the rooftops.

“The more people who submit their favourite new albums, the better the exposure for the huge range and diversity of the music being made here. This is your chance to play a key role in championing Scottish music to the world.”

To find out more and to nominate albums, visit sayaward.com