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Wow. I had nothing to write about and then Glasvegas got nominated for the Mercury Music Prize! Other contenders include Kasabian, Florence and the Machine, Bat for Lashes, La Roux, The Horrors, Lisa Hannigan, The Invisible, Led Bib, Sweet Billy Pilgrim and Speech Debelle. And with that went my interest in the Mercury Music Prize for 2009. To be fair, I think Bat For Lashes is a good bet and having seen her support Radiohead last year was well impressed with her sound. Other than that I’m not too familiar with the bands that have been nominated (bar Kasabian *boak*). But anyone who nominates Glasvegas for anything won’t be getting any time of day from me. One of the most horrible bands I’ve ever had to listen to, as everyone over at songbytoad knows all too well.
Anyways, I am thinking that perhaps there should be awards for unsigned bands. Maybe I’ll start a Trampoline awards ceremony for the end of the year. Maybe I’ll get a panel of judges (probably a mix of bloggers and journalists) to decide upon the best unsigned Scottish albums of 2009. Wouldn’t that be something? We could put out tables and chairs at the Wee Red. Invite all the media blah blah blah and give the real talent in Scotland the chance to win something at this grass roots level. Maybe I’ll do it and ease the depressing joke that the Mercury Music Prize has become.
10 Comments
That is something I’d be interested in seeing
It’s a great idea, but you might have difficulty drawing a line between signed and unsigned.
Are Meursault a signed band? Probably not in the eyes of 99% of the music industry, but they have a massive advantage over completely unsigned bands simply because we were quite organised about their release and able to put a little money behind it.
And if you say that Meursault would qualify because they are ‘unsigned’ by a big enough label with advances to offer, then how big does the label have to be before it starts to count?
Then again if you say that Meursault don’t count, because their release was done through a label, however small, then there really isn’t going to be much left to pick from bar a tiny handful of self-releases.
So a line would have to be drawn somewhere, but I personally think I would struggle to say where.
yeah, i’m with you. already had the discussion with pamela – though not with meursault as I believe there album was sooooo 2008!
hehe.
was discussing somebody like Withered Hand for example, who’s album is eagerly anticipated but will receive the help from SL. I think we’d need to possibly open it up to wider spectrum but then i don’t want somebody like frightened rabbit winning just cause people know them. so yeah, needs a lot of thought – but i’m going to discuss it with many folk and see what the vibe is. be great to have an end of year thing and hand out a trampoline award!!
It’s certainly an excellent idea, and I would be well up for getting involved, or supporting it or whatever else was required.
Certainly up for helping iron out the creases too.
Come on then people. Let me know your thoughts. I’m keen to do this. Anyone who wants to get involved or who has any suggestions on how it might work, fire me an e-mail at mini50records@googlemail.com
Matthew – I would definitely want you to be one of the judging panel.
Can Cancel the Astronauts win something please?
Well apparently not badminton…..;)
Mate who plays badminton? That’s not some reference I’m misunderstanding is it because I’ve definitely been looking for someone to play badminton with for quite some time.
me and matty from cancel the astornauts. every monday night at mary erskine. not a joke. deadly serious. you wanna game sometime?
Definitely. Where on earth is mary erskine? I warn you, I’m vaguely competent.