Auntie Flo Win Scottish Album Of The Year Award 2019
- Written by Marky Edison
Auntie Flo was announced as the winner of Scotland’s national music prize, The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award 2019, at the weekend for the album, Radio Highlife.
As Auntie Flo played to thousands of fans on stage at Skye Live Festival in the North of Scotland, it was announced in the Scottish capital that Radio Highlife is this year’s Scottish Album of the Year. Accepting The SAY Award on Auntie Flo’s behalf, Tour Manager / driver Phil Connor read from a napkin of words written by Brian d’Souza that said: “It’s been a privilege to document seven years of adventuring around the globe in this record. It has taken me everywhere from Cuba to South Africa to East Asia. Thank you to everyone who made that happen over the years.”
Robert Kilpatrick, General Manager of the Scottish Music Industry Association said: “This year’s campaign saw 293 eligible albums submitted, the highest number of any SAY Award campaign to date. Not only does this highlight the fact that Scotland’s recorded output is in great health, but it also shows that in spite of being in the age of algorithm-driven playlists, the album as a format still deeply matters to both artists and music fans.
Alan Morrison, Head of Music at Creative Scotland said: " Radio Highlife is absolute proof that Scotland’s music travels a two-way street with the rest of the world. Brian d’Souza has brought the sunshine of Africa into The SAY Award and gives us a worthy winner. Congratulations to him and to all of the Shortlisted nominees."
While Auntie Flo claimed the coveted prize, the remaining nine Shortlisted albums each won a significant £1,000. This year’s Shortlist was comprised of ten albums; nine were chosen by The SAY Award Judging Panel, while Mastersystem’s Dance Music was chosen by music fans via this year’s online public vote.
The SAY Award Shortlist for 2019, in alphabetical order –
Aidan Moffat and RM Hubbert – Here Lies The Body
Andrew Wasylyk – The Paralian
Auntie Flo – Radio Highlife
C Duncan – Health
Carla J. Easton – Impossible Stuff
Fergus McCreadie Trio – Turas
Free Love – Luxury Hits
Karine Polwart with Steven Polwart & Inge Thomson – Laws of Motion
Kathryn Joseph – From When I Wake The Want Is
Mastersystem – Dance Music