Up-and-coming Stirling band Constant Follower have made it through to the final of the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award 2022.
Announced yesterday, the band’s Neither Is, Nor Ever Was was on the shortlist of ten albums.
Also there are Dollar jazz pianist Fergus McCreadie for Forest Floor and band Walt Disco for Unlearning whose singer and bass player James Potter is from Balfron.
Constant Follower frontman Stephen McAll said following the announcement: “It’s a shock but an honour to have our album recognised on the SAY Award shortlist. Especially when three of my favourite albums of the year didn’t make it.
“The SAY award is a barometer of the quality of the music in Scotland each year, and to see our album in amongst all these wonderful works, is mind-blowing.
“I hope that everyone who worked on the album, and there are many, feel a sense of pride for the recognition today.
“Pride is an unusual feeling for me, and perhaps for a lot of Scottish people, but today I’m letting myself feel just a little for all the work we put in and the way the people of Stirling and beyond have got behind us, for that we’re all very grateful.
“It’s impossible to know how your music will be received until you let it out into the world.
Click here for more news and sport from the Stirling area.
“You think you know which songs are the good ones, but you never really know until it’s out there.
“That’s one reason why the reception for the album has floored us all – from that first personal message from someone saying that the music reached them, to this SAY nomination.”
Returning for its 11th edition, previous winners of The SAY Award have included Mogwai As The Love Continues (2021), Young Fathers Cocoa Sugar (2018), and Kathryn Joseph Bones You Have Thrown Me And Blood I’ve Spilled (2015).
The winner of this year’s award will be announced at a ceremony at Stirling’s Albert Halls on Thursday, October 20.
Creative director of the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA)/The SAY Award Robert Kilpatrick said: “The SAY Award Shortlist recognises 10 of the best Scottish records of the last year, firmly showcasing the strength and diversity of Scotland’s recorded output in 2022.
“In just two weeks time, we’ll be celebrating and championing each of these records at Stirling’s Albert Halls, with one set to take the coveted title of Scottish Album of the Year along with the £20,000 first prize. Massive congratulations and best of luck to all Shortlisted artists.”
Constant Follower are also set to play a concert at the city’s iconic Church of the Holy Rude on Thursday, October 27 – part of an initiative to support the recovery of Scotland’s live music industry.
Tickets for the gig, and a raft of other shows, are on sale now at www.scotlandontour.com.
