The GIT Award returns with November launch at Leaf featuring Merseyside’s hottest new acts before Kazimier showcase on Friday April 11 2014.
Liverpool’s premier new music prize The GIT Award returns on Saturday November 16 2013 for its third successive year.
The process to find the 12 GIT Award shortlisted nominees opens today ahead of the special showcase ceremony at The Kazimier on Friday 11 April 2014.
Dubbed the ‘Scouse Mercury Prize,’ the GIT Award is the first regional award of its kind championing new emerging talent within Merseyside’s eclectic arts and music community, pushing innovative musicians right across the world.
The overall winner of the GIT Award 2014 will receive a cash prize of £1000 when revealed at the Kazimier next April.
A special Inspiration Award, recognising significant outstanding achievement in Merseyside’s music industry will also be presented. The recipients of the 2013 Inspiration Award was won by the Hillsborough Justice Collective while in 2012 the team behind Liverpool’s Kazimier club picked up the honour.
Sam Crombie, from the Kazimier, said: “We’re excited to play host to the GIT Award as it takes an ambitious step forwards in 2014.”
Launched in November 2011, the GIT Award, founded by Getintothis, is now an annual fixture on the Merseyside music scene, supported by musicians, industry figures and national media.
Among the judging panel during the GIT Award‘s first two years were NME, 6 Music‘s Tom Ravenscroft, The Quietus, The Guardian, Liverpool Football Club, Q Magazine, Vice Magazine and the cornerstones of Liverpool’s music scene.
Matt Wilkinson, New Music Editor at NME said: “The Liverpool music scene is as thriving and eclectic as it’s ever been, but it’s vital The GIT Award recognises the artists who are striving to make such a difference. Once again I’m proud that NME is playing our part in the Award process.”
Open to all artists and bands from or based in Merseyside, the GIT Award has showcased the region’s rich musical diversity, from the thriving hip hop scene to its electronica artists, from its long-established country and roots community to punk, folk and metal.
The 2014 Award, which will be officially launched on Saturday November 16 at Leaf on Bold Street, is no different.
The GIT Award 2014 launch event at Leaf on the evening of Saturday 16 November – which is open to the public and free to attend – will premier new artists and unique collaborations by some of Merseyside’s hottest artists.
On the night, there will be an exclusive collaboration between Liverpool gothic-pop band Bird and singer-songwriter Natalie McCool.
Both artists have received huge national acclaim and will take time out from their debut UK tours to collaborate for a GIT Award exclusive.
The evening will also include a performance from Wirral band VEYU. First tipped by Getintothis, the band have played just two gigs yet have already received national attention including plays on 6Music.
Two brand new Liverpool electronic artists Kalax and Nights will also play sets, the former specialising in cinematic ambience, the latter dark progressive beats. The night will also include a DJ set from Club EVOL founder and GIT Award judge Steve ‘Revo’ Miller plus Waxxx and Discoteca Poca resident and Liverpool cosmic disco staple Paul Hutchinson.
Peter Guy, Liverpool ECHO journalist and editor of Getintothis, said: “When the GIT Award was established two years ago we had no idea how it would snowball, placing new Liverpool music at the forefront of the national consciousness and have the impact it has had.
“From the first year when GIT Award nominee Esco Williams had a MOBO Award created in his honour, to coverage of all 12 nominees across the BBC, MTV and the national print press, to last year’s blanket national radio and online coverage – the GIT Award has provided a multi-media platform for Merseyside music to thrive.
“Last year we were hugely honoured to have Yoko Ono personally invite the 2013 winners Baltic Fleet to support her at Meltdown Festival as part of the GIT Award prize – an event she curated as part of her 80th Birthday – we hope this year’s Award is equally as special and continues to place the focus on the incredible musicians working within our community.
“This year’s launch at Leaf – a venue which has supported the GIT Award since the beginning – will be a fantastic night of new music, while the Award night itself next April in the Kazimier will be one not to miss.”
Musicians, bands and creative types who would like to enter for this year’s prize are asked to send four tracks to [email protected]
Or alternatively post to Peter Guy, The GIT Award, Liverpool Daily Post & ECHO, PO Box 48, Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L69 3EB.
Businesses who would like to get involved with the GIT Award can email [email protected] for more information.
About the GIT Award:
From over 480 entries, the 12 shortlisted GIT Award 2013 artists were:
Baltic Fleet
Barberos
By The Sea
Nadine Carina
Clinic
Conan
Dan Croll
John Heckle
Jetta
Tyler Mensah
Stealing Sheep
Wave Machines
The nominees performed at a special showcase night at Leaf on Bold Street in April 2013 before Baltic Fleet was unveiled as the eventual winner. A special Inspiration Award, recognising services to Liverpool’s music industry was won by The Justice Collective and Tyler Mensah claimed the People’s Choice Award.
The 12 shortlisted GIT Award 2012 artists were: Bang On, Ex-Easter Island-Head, Forest Swords, Miss Stylie, Mugstar, Ninetails, Outfit, Bill Ryder-Jones, Stealing Sheep, Tea Street Band and Esco Williams with Loved Ones unveiled as winner.
GIT Award 2012-13 judges announced thus far:
John Doran is editor of the internet music magazine The Quietus. He also writes for The Stool Pigeon, VICE and NME.
Peter Guy is a journalist at the Liverpool Echo – and founder of the GIT Award. For the last five years Peter’s blog, Getintothis, has charted the best new music on a national level while acting as media partner with Sound City and Liverpool Music Week.
David Lloyd is editor of Liverpool culture blog SevenStreets – winner of the Best City website at the Blog North Awards. David was a founder member of the group Half Man Half Biscuit.
Steve Miller is Liverpool-based promoter behind EVOL. Since 2008, Steve has been head programmer for Liverpool Sound City festival and is now in-house booker at East Village Arts Club.
Craig G Pennington is the Editor of Bido Lito! – The Liverpool Music Magazine. Since it emerged in May 2010, the magazine has established itself at the forefront of new music on Merseyside.
Yaw Owusu is a talent manager, youth culture specialist and curator of the Liverpool International Music Festival.
Some of the press & industry praise for the GIT Award
The GIT Award artists represent artists of the future – Yoko Ono
The GIT Award illustrates just how colourful the music scene in Liverpool is today – Domino Records
The GIT Award is a great advert for Merseyside. It really helps to draw focus on the great music coming out of Merseyside – Heavenly Records
“The GIT Award is a fantastic celebration of the music from the greatest city on earth.” David Pichilingi, CEO Liverpool Sound City
“The GIT Award is a fantastic breath of fresh air for Merseyside music giving new artists a brilliant platform to showcase their music to a national audience.” Paul Rogers, Liverpool Football Club
“The GIT Award artists draw on Liverpool’s musical heritage without living in the past – proving that even with its world-beating history, Liverpool music continues to forge ahead.” Andrew Harrison, former editor of Q Magazine
“The GIT Award is a superb showcase for the city’s diverse music scene. The Echo is delighted to promote new talent and champion the city’s rising stars.” Andrew Campbell, Liverpool Echo executive editor.
“The GIT Award showcases the rich diversity of music talent Liverpool has to offer providing a pivotal platform for new emerging artists while capturing the national media’s attention.” Wendy Simon, Liverpool Cabinet member for Culture and Tourism
“Musically speaking, Liverpool has long since stepped out of the huge shadow cast by the Beatles. It takes something as good as the GIT Award to let the rest of the country know and make them pay attention.” John Doran, Editor, The Quietus
“Liverpool’s musical heritage is great but Liverpool’s future is more interesting. I love GIT for the glimpse it gives of Liverpool’s musical future.” Paul Du Noyer, author of Liverpool Wondrous Place and music journalist.
“The GIT Award 2013 was one of the highlights of the city’s musical calendar. It showed the strength of the Liverpool music offer, raised the profile of the city’s music scene, and attracted vast positive national coverage.” Kevin McManus, Liverpool Vision
Further GIT Award 2013 reading
GIT Award 2013: Baltic Fleet: To be involved and win will always stay with me
The GIT Award 2013 report, reaction and review from Leaf Tea Shop, Liverpool.
GIT Award 2013 winner announced as Justice Collective win Inspiration Award
GIT Award 2013: picture gallery featuring Baltic Fleet, Nadine Carina, Conan, John Heckle, Tyler Mensah and more.
Yoko Ono invites GIT Award 2013 winner to play Meltdown Festival 2013.
GIT Award 2013 at Leaf on Bold Street Friday April 19 with £1000 to winners.
For a full list of the GIT Award 2013 judges and their profiles read here.
The GIT Award 2013 returns championing the best of Merseyside music.
Reaction, report and pictures from The GIT Award 2012
Getintothis speak to Loved Ones after they scoop inaugural GIT Award.
Getintothis on The Kazimier and their GIT 2012 Inspiration Award.
Getintothis picture gallery part one of the GIT Award 2011
Getintothis picture gallery part two of the GIT Award 2011.
Getintothis‘ NME scene report and focus on the GIT Award and new Liverpool music.
Getintothis profiles the 12 shortlisted artists for the GIT Award 2011.
Getintothis‘ GIT Award 2011 podcast with Jamie Bowman and The Double Negative.
Getintothis on Royal Standard director Sam Venables creating the first GIT Award trophy
Getintothis teams up with Liverpool and UK’s creative business sector.
Liverpool Daily Post on The GIT Award: A forward thinking music award for Liverpool
Getintothis on why there’s never been a better time to champion new music in Liverpool.
Getintothis launches the GIT Award – celebrating the best of Merseyside music.
