Getintothis exclusively reveals The GIT Award 12 shortlisted artists ahead of the showcase night at Leaf on Friday April 27.
It has been a significant year for musical creativity and diversity on Merseyside and this has been confirmed by the 12 acts shortlisted for the inaugural GIT Award 2012.
The GIT Award, named after Liverpool music blog Getintothis and dubbed by the national music press as the Scouse Mercury Prize, celebrates the finest new recordings in the last 12 months on Merseyside.
GIT Award founder and chair of judges, Peter Guy, said: ‘The first GIT Award shortlist highlights the wealth of new musical talent within Merseyside.
‘The artists are ambitious and inventive, emotional and passionate, funny and profound. They evoke a sense of time and place, providing a wonderful snapshot of Merseyside’s varied sonic landscape proving why Liverpool is still the centre of the music universe.‘
The GIT Award 2012 shortlist is:
Bang On
Ex-Easter Island Head
Forest Swords
Loved Ones
Miss Stylie
Mugstar
Outfit
Ninetails
Bill Ryder-Jones
Stealing Sheep
The Tea Street Band
Esco Williams
Since its launch at Liverpool Music Week‘s closing party in November 2011 up until the closing date at the end of February 2012, the GIT Award received more than 380 entries.
The shortlist was then decided by a judging panel comprising top names from Liverpool Football Club, NME, Vice Magazine, The Quietus and The Guardian alongside the cornerstones of the region’s music scene – Getintothis, Bido Lito Magazine, Waxxx and EVOL.
The overall winner will be announced at The GIT Award 2012 Show on Friday April 27 at Leaf on Bold Street, where each of the shortlisted artists is expected to perform while being filmed exclusively by Mocha and Liverpool Football Club TV. Journalist and Goldblade musician John Robb will host the evening.
The winner will receive an incredible prize which includes recording time at Liverpool’s Sandhills Studio and a showcase at this year’s Liverpool Sound City and Liverpool Music Week.
The winners will also play a gig at Vice Magazine‘s London bar The Old Blue Last, as well as having a promo shot by Virgin Media Shorts filmmaker of the Year nominee Ian Gamester to be screened at FACT, the city’s art house cinema and creative technologies centre.
Dave Pichilingi, CEO Liverpool Sound City, said: ‘Sound City has always championed the vast pool of talent from Liverpool, and having worked with Getintothis since our formation in 2007, the GIT Award represents the perfect showcase to celebrate new music.‘
Kevin McManus, former NME journalist and director at Liverpool Vision, said: ‘We’re really happy to support the GIT Award.
‘Liverpool has a worldwide reputation for its creativity and continuing to produce some of the UK’s best music and most innovative music businesses. The GIT Award gives new talent an important platform and provides well deserved recognition for new acts breaking through.‘
Matt Wilkinson, NME radar editor, said: ‘I’m really excited to be on the panel for the GIT Award. Liverpool and its surrounding areas are offering up some of the most exciting and diverse music around at present. I can’t wait to get stuck into the shortlist and find a winner.‘
Liverpool City Cllr for culture, Wendy Simon, said: ‘The city is proud to support the GIT Award, as a city we are recognised for our great musical talent and this Award is a great way to acknowledge this talent.‘
