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The SAMAs return for 2013 celebrating the best in new Scottish music

added: 7 Mar 2010 // by: Music-News.com Newsdesk 

Referred to as the SAMAs it`s an event that has went from strength to strength since it`s inception in the smaller room at the Classic Grand to the large ceremony that it is now at The Garage on Sauchiehall St , more than doubling it`s capacity on the way.

An awards ceremony with live music. The idea behind it is simple yet effective as there was nothing like it in Scotland when founder Richy Muirhead decided to make the SAMAs his Uni project. Like all awards it has not been without it`s critics as it is near impossible to host something like this without some complaints. However the controversy of differing opinion fuels the debate and adds to the charm and publicity of the awards as everyone joins in the conversation of `who is the best acts in the country?`

Scotland is a country blessed with outstanding talent in every field so while there is acts I would have liked to have seen short-listed that weren`t there is also a handful of new artists that suddenly become on the radar of myself and journalists, bookers, managers, record labels, music fans overnight

The awards are dealt with in the fairest possible way in my opinion. All the judges have in-depth knowledge of the scene and are thankfully scattered around the country making sure it`s not a typical Glasgow love-in. Although Glasgow features heavily in the short-list the judges hail from the likes of Inverness, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Ayrshire making sure everyone up and down the country gets a voice.


Once the short-list has been made up by the professional`s , the nominations are then put to the public vote. Normally, the general public are stupid (a quick glance at the charts will confirm that fact) however, the reason this works so well in my opinion for the SAMAs appeals to the underground fan who appreciates new music. Many people may log on to vote for one of their favourite acts in say the Best Newcomer Category but then end up checking out Best Hip Hop category and become exposed to music that they probably never knew existed.


The Hip Hop category is something close to my heart as there has been many artists working hard for years and now it appears Scotland is finally getting on the map due to the successes of Hector Bizerk, Stanley Odd, Loki and many others. Stanley Odd frontman Solareye has been nominated this year after dropping a stunning solo E.P `The Pageant` and I would consider him a front-runner in this year`s category however, my personal pick would be Gasp who has been writing, recording and performing non-stop not just this year but the majority of the last decade. He is also renowned all over the UK for being one of the best battle-rappers in the country and creating the Badmouth battle league.


All the other categories are packed full of some of Scotland`s best bands and solo acts including Vigo Theives, OK Social Club, The Holy Ghosts, William Douglas, Little Fire, Cullan, Fat Goth, What the Blood Revealed, Ded Rabbit and Chvrches. The latter being the odds-on favourite to take Best Electronic although I have my finger`s crossed for Plum, the only female solo act nominated to pip them at the post.

Voting is now closed after more than 27,000 votes so all that remains is the ceremony, the gig and the afterparty. Hosted by one of the funniest men in Scotland Billy Kirkwood and with live performances from Roman Nose, Vigo Thieves, Fat Goth and the OK Social Club it promises to be a night to remember. Doors open 7pm and limited tickets still available here- http://www.tickets-scotland.com/events.html?event_method=viewevent&event_id=bc56fe4e-67c7-11e2-99e8-12313d04bc40

Mark McG


And the nominees for Scottish Alternative Music Awards 2013 are.

Best Rock/Alternative sponsored by EmuBands

Culann
Baby Strange
Duke
Fat Goth
Cleavers
M A D I S O N


Best Live Act sponsored by Bar Bloc

United Fruit
Vigo Thieves
Stanley
Meursault
Roadway
The Ok Social Club

Best Newcomer sponsored by The Academy Of Music & Sound

Honeyblood
The Holy Ghosts
Model Jet Pilot
Ded Rabbit
Miss Irenie Rose
Miss Lucid

Best Electronic sponsored by Red Dog Music

Plum
Roman Nose
Fonik
Discopolis
Them & Us
Chvrches

Best Acoustic sponsored by Jeremiah Weed

Little Fire
Michael Cassidy
Cara Mitchell
William Douglas & The Wheel
Jemma Tweedie
Alex Hynes

Best Metal / Hardcore sponsored by Cathouse Glasgow

What The Blood Revealed
Prelude To The Hunt
Sectioned
Bear Arms
Trial & Error
Lords Of Bastard
MM

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