Nordoff Robbins have today announced additional nominees and performers for 2019’s Specsavers Scottish Music Awards. Man of the moment Lewis Capaldi is nominated for the King Tut’s Songwriting Award whilst DJ, producer and musician, Auntie Flo is nominated for the Electronic Music Award sponsored by Sub Club, fresh from his Scottish Album of the Year award win.
Dundee songwriter Be Charlotte is nominated for the Evolution Award sponsored by Assai Records and will also perform at the glittering awards ceremony on Saturday 30th November in the Old Fruitmarket.
Regarded as an unmissable night in Scottish music, The Specsavers Scottish Music Awards is in its 21st year of raising vital funds for Nordoff Robbins, a charity that uses the power of music to enrich the lives of people all over the UK affected by life limiting illness, isolation or disability.
Speaking about the nomination, Lewis Capaldi said: “Thank you all so much for the nomination! All I ever thought about growing up was to sell-out King Tut’s so to be nominated for the Songwriter Award this year is unreal! The first ever award I got given was the Breakthrough at the 2017 Scottish Music Awards, and I’m a big fan of the work that Nordoff Robbins does, so it’s a real honour to be nominated again! X”
Brian d’Souza of Auntie Flo said: “This year has been a monumental one for me for many reasons and being nominated is the icing on the cake. The Sub Club has been one of my biggest inspirations, right since I was a teenager. Playing there is a big honour every time, so to be nominated by them is extra special to me.”
Be Charlotte said: “It’s an honour to be asked to perform at this event and be nominated for the Evolution Award. It’s been an incredible year for music from Scotland and it is so exciting to have the opportunity to celebrate that success with everyone. Nordoff Robins is a charity that has been close to my heart for a number of years. When I was in 3rd year at school I researched and wrote a project about all the amazing work they do and since then it has always inspired me. I use music as a way to express my feelings and say things I can’t normally say in everyday conversation and using music as a way to help other people is something I feel very passionate about.”
Two years after scooping the award for Best Breakthrough, Lewis Capaldi tops off 2019 with a nomination at the Specsavers Scottish Music Awards. With four top-ten singles, including the seven-week Number One ‘Someone You Loved’, and the fastest-selling debut album of the year with ‘Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent’, the singer-songwriter from Bathgate has played some of his biggest Scottish shows to date this year at TRNSMT Festival and Summer Sessions at Princes Street Gardens. Firmly established as the nation’s biggest pop star, 2019 has undoubtedly been Capaldi’s year, topped off by achieving a Number One single in America with his smash hit ‘Someone You Loved’. A well-deserved nomination for an outstanding year.
Geoff Ellis, CEO of DF Concerts said: “I have fond memories of seeing Lewis play the King Tut’s Stage at the very first TRNSMT Festival in 2017 to him stepping in at the last minute to play the main stage this year with a blinder of a set, which included the now infamous Chewbacca mask. Lewis has had such a meteoric rise over the past two years and is a genuinely lovely guy with the most amazing song writing skills and voice. He has already hit global stardom and to see him rise to being such an international success story is amazing – the Scottish Beyonce!”
Fresh from winning this year’s SAY Award, Auntie Flo aka Brian d’Souza is storming 2019 with yet another nomination for his effortless musical talent. Nominated for Sub Club’s Electronic Music Award, Auntie Flo has always been a believer in creating music that is unique and authentic. These efforts haven’t gone unnoticed in the industry with his album ‘Radio Highlife’ winning The Scottish Album of the Year Award in September of this year. A true Scottish talent that illustrates diversity with his blend of groovy hypnotic songs, Auntie Flo is a true representation of what Scotland’s thriving music scene has to offer.
Mike Grieve, Managing Director of Sub Club said: “Having witnessed Brian’s career develop from the early days when he first impressed with his DJ ability at the Subbie, it’s great to see his obvious creative and writing talent come to the fore with the release and subsequent recognition of the Auntie Flo album Radio Highlife deservedly picking up the Scottish Album of the Year award. We are delighted to be able to add our own mark of respect to Brian’s burgeoning talent.”
Be Charlotte has had an incredible year. With a mix of her soulful, upbeat sounds, Be Charlotte has grown from strength to strength over the past year with record label Sony Music signing the Scottish artist back in 2018. Performing at the likes of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, TRNSMT and opening the iconic V&A Dundee alongside Scottish music legends, Primal Scream in 2018, Be Charlotte has already got some major performances under her belt and is set to confidently affirm herself as one to watch out for at this year’s Specsavers Scottish Music Awards.
Last month Nordoff Robbins also announced music icons Simple Minds as performers at The Specsavers Scottish Music Awards, alongside one of the biggest breakthrough artists of the last year Tom Walker and one of Scotland’s most talked about artists of the moment, Joesef, who has already been compared to the likes of Amy Winehouse with his sweet-toned, honest sounds. Scottish radio DJ and TV presenter, Edith Bowman will also make her debut as host at this year’s ceremony.
For tickets to the Scottish Music Awards contact: Simon.Foy@nordoff-robbins.org.uk
For further information on Nordoff Robbins visit www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk