BBC Radio Scotland Singer-Songwriter Award 2019 Tour
So this blog was supposed to be to give the tour of the the inaugural 2019 BBC Radio Scotland singer/songwriter awards a little bit of publicity, but with things as they are, if this is not already cancelled it will be.
Hopefully it will be rescheduled for later in the year !!!
But to be perfectly honest the whole BBC Radio Scotland singer/songwriter awards had slipped under my radar so I thought I would give you all some background to the award and give you some information on some the up and coming artists who featured in the awards.
BBC Radio Scotland secured the services of big names from the music industry to play a leading role in the search for the country’s newest star.
A panel of five judges - Fran Healy, Horse McDonald and Karine Polwart together with promoter Geoff Ellis and music industry executive Dee Bahl - would have the final say on who won the station’s Singer/Songwriter of the Year Award 2019.
BBC Radio Scotland Executive Producer, Sharon Mair, says:
We are absolutely delighted to have an amazing panel of judges and talent from across the music industry involved in this project. It has been a joy to bring them all together - good luck to everyone that is entering.
The judges are looking forward to working together and playing their part in this pioneering venture to discover exciting new talent.
Fran Healy, singer/songwriter with Travis, says:
I'm looking forward to being a judge on the BBC Radio Scotland Singer Songwriter Award. Hoping to find the next Robert or Roberta Burns. Expectations are high.
Horse McDonald says:
What a wonderful opportunity! This is something for songwriters from every walk of life to work towards - and for the ultimate winner, an exciting platform for their future. I am excited to be on this brilliant panel - it’s going to be quite a journey of discovery.
Karine Polwart says:
It’s always exciting to discover new voices making music and writing songs in Scotland. We have such a vibrant scene here across so many genres. I know from my own career how much difference it makes to find support on the radio. I hope this award brings luck and opportunity and new ears to the winner.
Geoff Ellis, CEO of DF Concerts & Events, says
Without songwriters, there would be no music industry. Everything that the industry is built upon originates from a good songwriter, and they are who we have to thank for the thriving music scene here in Scotland. I’m both honoured and delighted to be a part of the panel to acknowledge and celebrate all of these fantastically gifted individuals.
Dee Bahl, music executive whose label was responsible for the first releases for the bands Biffy Clyro and Aerogramme, says:
Having worked with so many talented people over many years I am excited to be involved in a project encouraging emerging talent across Scotland.
The prize for the winner includes a recording session with BBC Scotland in Glasgow, an opportunity to play the King Tut’s stage at the TRNSMT Festival and a promotional video.
So it all kicked off last year with artists, who had to be over the age of 17, having to submit short videos, featuring an original composition and a cover version of a favourite song, to meet a deadline of Friday 31 May 2019.
The entries will be shortlisted by the judges to ten and they will then go to public vote in early September. The top four from the public vote will perform at a live final where the judges will select the recipient of the BBC Radio Scotland Singer/Songwriter of the Year Award.
Ahead of the event, that final four contestants will be mentored by songwriter and producer, Davie Scott, lead vocalist with The Pearlfishers, and a leading light in the University of West Scotland’s Masters in Songwriting course.
So let’s meet the final ten contestants:
Megan Black
Megan Black is a young musician and vocalist from Livingston, Scotland. Megan’s musical influences tend to derive from 70s blues rock and early jazz. Bringing this into the modern day, Megan tends to base her songs on her own experiences, political views, and what is currently present in the world at the moment.
For example, Megan’s song Fur Coat Queen is based around Megan familiarising herself more with her own sexuality and as a result of that, finding empowerment from other women – both in the music industry and in her day-to-day life. This helps for Megan to speak freely about her views regarding feminism and the LGBTQ+ community and brings a fresh view on an older style of music; connecting different generations of people and helping to create more awareness for important issues in today’s society.
Along with musical influences, Megan also finds style inspiration from many different artists and tries to create more of a concept within her stage persona, taking away gender and a sense of familiarity, and focusing more on how she feels comfortable presenting herself.
Follow Megan on Twitter and Instagram
@meganblackmusic
#meganblackmusic
Darrell Cram
Darrell Cram is a Scottish singer/songwriter and producer from Edinburgh who releases pop and dance music as the artist Novaborn.
Darrell comes from a singing background having grown up performing in choirs, acapella groups and the occasional short-lived bedroom boyband.
During his time at university he began learning music production so that he could create his own songs. After countless mistakes and many unreleased projects he finally started writing music that was gaining positive feedback online and the attention of blogs and independent labels. From this point onwards, Darrell has been trying to evolve as a music artist and take it to the next level.
His musical influences are vast ranging from old Motown artists to 90s hip-hop to modern house music. In an ideal world Darrell wants to go all the way and forge a career connecting with people all around the world through his songs. He wants to represent the idea that if you work hard enough and learn from your failures that you really can get what you want. Darrell is also learning to breakdance because he secretly wants to be able to move like Jason Derulo but admits he isn’t quite there yet!
Follow Darrell on Twitter and Instagram
@Novaborn1105
#novabornmusic
Liv Dawn
Liv Dawn is a twenty year old singer-songwriter from Loch Lomond. With pop country style, Liv’s original music is heartfelt and honest.
Liv crafts powerful stories through her lyrics that relate to everyday life and relationships.
Drawing inspiration from artists like Stevie Nicks, Adele, Dermot Kennedy and Ed Sheeran helped develop Liv’s songwriting technique and connect with the art of it. For such a young age, Liv’s emotional maturity is prominent through her lyrics and she likes to writes songs that make people feel something.
Liv would love to tour, release albums and be a genuine artist anyone can relate with. Having only released her first single Reason in July, Liv Dawn has a lot to offer and plans to keep moving forward within the industry.
Follow Liv on Twitter and Instagram
@livdawnofficial
#livdawnmusic
Bethany Ferrie
Bethany Ferrie is a 21 year old singer/songwriter from Glasgow. She learned to play guitar at a young age from her dad but didn’t start singing until high school when she would send voice notes to a friend to test the water and eventually start writing her own songs.
Bethany takes as much influence from today’s musicians as the artists she grew up on – The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac. Her guitar driven pop is based on the style of the likes of Ed Sheeran, Shawn Mendes and Lewis Capaldi. And she looks to women in pop music such as Taylor Swift, Julia Michaels and Nina Nesbitt when writing her own lyrics of her own stories or the movie scenes playing out in her head.
Bethany finds it hard not to have a guitar in her hands and hopes that whatever the future brings, writing and performing are a part of it.
Follow Bethany on Twitter and Instagram
@bethanyferrie
#bethanyferrie
Gus Harrower
Born and raised in Scotland's capital, Gus Harrower, grew up listening to his parents record collection. Immersed in the music of an eclectic mix of artists like Elton John, Jackson Browne and Del Amitri, his love for songs and story-telling was found.
Gus began learning the piano at the age of 6 however his appreciation for the instrument grew as he became involved with musical theatre. As a pianist, his marriage of jazzy pop and classical training produces a captivating unpredictability tied, invariably, to a gripping and cathartic resolution.
He ventured into songwriting prior to his debut gig in order to break up a set list of covers and from there, he continued to write and gig, self-producing and self-releasing his debut EP in 2015 and then his sophomore EP in 2017. Gus’ current aims are to continue writing to complete a fuller, album-sized body of work for release in 2020 which would tie into his studies.
The entry for this award, Tremolo, was inspired by his brother, and his fruitless ventures in the dating scene.
Follow Gus on Twitter and Instagram
@gushmusic
#gusharrower
Kate Kyle
Seventeen year old, singer-songwriter Kate Kyle, who's unique blend of soulful country and powerful voice is establishing herself in the Scottish music scene. Having recently released her 5 track debut EP entitled Where I'm Going, Kate's music has been met with a great deal of accolade.
Bruce McKenzie Dumfries & Galloway Life Magazine said
possibly the finest song-writing I've heard from someone of this age
Accompanied by her guitar, Kate performs regularly at gigs locally as well as events including Celtic Connections in Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall, Eden Festival, Edinburgh Hidden Door Festival, D&G Arts Festival, Doonhamer Music Festival, Maidens of Music, Millport Country Music Festival, Scottish Parliament and Resonate Live 2018.
Kate's influences stem from country/singer-songwriter acts such as Lady Antebellum, Chris Stapleton, Dixie Chicks and Stevie Nicks.
Kate aspires in the coming years to study music at university and take on a career as a full-time songwriter, working and collaborating with other artists.
Kate hails from the beautiful Dumfries and Galloway area and lives on her family farm. She is extremely proud of the fact that she has managed to teach her dog how to do the perfect high-five!!
Follow Kate on Instagram
#katekylemusic
Mike McKenzie
Mike McKenzie creates an eclectic combination of old meets new with extensive songwriting influences from Elton John to Brandi Carlile, Billy Joel to Tobias Jesso Jr. Growing up in a musical home Mike began writing on a banged-up piano, passed down over the years, as soon as his mother taught him the basics. Throughout high school and college he began his discovery of the music scene as a drummer for Edinburgh band JAKIL.
In 2010 he threw himself into songwriting and production behind the scenes, working with other singers he'd encountered along the way. It was after being influenced by his partner in 2018 that he began to explore the possibility of releasing material as a solo artist and found himself back at the piano where it all started.
Some people keep a journal to process their lives. Some work out or take long walks to clear the air and reset their minds. Mike’s way of navigating his labyrinth of thoughts is to write. When sitting down at the piano it always becomes an outpour of how he feels now or has in the past.
Mike is currently writing his debut album, set for release in 2020.
Follow Mike on Instagram
#mikemckenzieonline
Project Nigle
From Forfar in the heart of Angus Project Nigle is driven to making catchy indie/pop music after a few years of developing the sound. Playing live as much as possible is the main goal and promoting our local music scene along the way is just as important.
Taking influence from the likes of The Beatles, Catfish And The Bottlemen and Kings Of Leon (circa 2003) but I find myself very "genre fluid" exploring every idea with an open mind and ear. I take inspiration wherever I find it, or wherever it finds me, usually in the form of a melody or rhythm that somehow finds its way to the forefront of my head. My brother Adam handles all the sound production and video editing for the project as well as being the chief stick handler behind the kit.
We want to keep creating music that we are proud to share and love to play and appreciate this opportunity to share our passion with everyone, although being voted through to the next stage would be unbelievable...purely being in the top 10 and meeting so many inspirational people is a massive win for us already.
Follow Project Nigle on Instagram
#project_nigle
Moteh Parrott
Moteh Parrott is a Scottish singer-songwriter hailing from Stratherrick, on the south side of Loch Ness. Born in Cameroon and given the local name ‘Mnkongmoteh’, his music complements open-tuned electric guitars with cello and reflective lyrics focusing on themes of social change, love, loss, and spirituality.
After the break up of his Guildford-based band, Red Kites, Moteh returned to The Highlands in 2016, where he began working on new music with cellist Kathleen Rollins-McKie and drummer Marc Rollins-Mckie. With Blair Young completing the line up on bass, the band have spent the summer recording their debut album with Paul Savage at Chem19 studios.
Moteh now calls Edinburgh home, where he works as a songwriting mentor for Music Plus, Musicares and The BIG Project, and as a musician for the charity Live Music Now. He aspires for meaningful connection with listeners through songs and live performance, and would love the opportunity to reach a wider audience with his original music.
Follow Moteh on Twitter and Instagram
@MotehP
#motehparrottmusic
Scott Wallace
Scott Wallace is a 21 year-old musician from Aberdeen, Scotland. Scott's contemporary-pop meets accomplished blues style sounds modern yet classic and sits comfortably between that of John Mayer and Shawn Mendes. Performed with Scott’s natural and inventive style, his music sounds perfectly at home on mainstream radio and film.
In 2018, Scott released his debut EP Here Goes Nothing. He received national radio coverage and performed live in session on BBC Radio Scotland with Janice Forsyth. His song Will You Mean It? was Single of the Week on this show.
Scott balances music with his work with Sport Aberdeen. He currently works in various sports centres in Aberdeen and was previously a lifeguard and swimming coach.
Scott aspires to continue to improve as a singer / songwriter, record his first album and establish himself as a recording artist and live performer nationally and internationally. He is currently recording new material with Rod Jones of Scottish band Idlewild.
Follow Scott on Instagram
#scottwallacemusic
The Finalists
The initial ten contestants were narrowed down to the final four who were Liv Dawn, Gus Harrower, Scott Wallace and Mike McKenzie.
Mike McKenzie won the inaugural BBC Radio Scotland Singer/Songwriter Award after an outstanding performance in the live final.
He was named winner by a prestigious panel of judges at the event hosted by Ricky Ross which was broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland from St. Luke's, Glasgow, as part of BBC Music Day.
Mike from Edinburgh has now secured a recording session with BBC Scotland in Glasgow, an opportunity to play the King Tut's stage at the TRNSMT Festival and the production of a promotional video.
Mike’s original composition, Love Like This, and his accomplished performance, won the acclaim of the judging panel.
Mike reflecting on his win said :
It’s just amazing. It’s the first time this has taken place, and it’s so important for us songwriters. I stopped trying to write what I thought people would like a couple of years ago and I just started to write what I wanted to - and since then it has started to work.
And now full circle I’m back to the tour I was going to do a piece on to begin with, the idea of the tour was that the four finalists would each do a 30 minute acoustic set and the tour would take in Scotland’s three major cities of Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Hopefully it will be rescheduled later in the year and gave the finalists a chance to showcase their talents then.
In the meantime the link below will take you to the evening of the final and events around it.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p073nw31
Also take a look at the social media profiles of each of the ten contestants and give them a follow.
