Miscellaneous - Leaf Cafe, Liverpool, 27/4/2012

  by Richard Lewis

published: 16 / 4 / 2012

intro

Richard Lewis attends the GIT Awards, which dubbed 'the Scouse Mercury Prize', saw performances from ten of the twelve acts on the shortlist

The inaugural Getintothis (GIT) Awards, dubbed ‘the Scouse Mercury Prize’ by the 'NME' were held at the Leaf Café, Liverpool on 27th April. Winners indie/ambient act Loved Ones were chosen from a shortlist of twelve acts and scooped free recording time in Sandhills Studios, a gig at 'Vice' magazine’s bar The Old Blue Last in London and showcase performances at Liverpool Sound City and Liverpool Music Week. Any genre of music was permitted to be entered for the prize but had to have a clear connection to Liverpool, whether via production, writing or recording. Named after music blog 'Getintothis', originated by Liverpool Daily Post journalist Peter Guy, the ceremony, presented by music writer/Goldblade musician John Robb saw ten of the twelve acts perform on the night. Nominees included female psych/folk trio Stealing Sheep, former Coral guitarist now soundtrack composer Bill Ryder Jones, much-tipped indie quintet Outfit and prog/space rock band Mugstar. The dozen acts were drawn from almost four hundred submissions, with the judging panel made up of writers and promoters directly connected to the city’s music scene. The winner’s trophy was designed by Sam Venables of The Royal Standard collaborative group of artists, and was presented to the winners by Liverpool born music journalist and founder of 'Mojo', Paul Du Noyer. Mementoes for each of the acts who made the shortlist were made by promoters/art-space curators Milk: Presents, who created visuals for the event, including short films of each nominee. Venue The Kazimier, which recently celebrated its fourth birthday, won a separate gong, the Inspiration Award for their role in revitalizing the city’s live music scene. The venue stages its own unique events including theatre and themed nights in addition to shows by local and touring bands. The shortlist of the twelve acts in full is: Stealing Sheep, Outfit, Forest Swords, Ninetails, Miss Stylie, Tea Street Band, Esco Williams, Ex-Easter Island Head, Bang On, Bill Ryder Jones, Mugstar, Loved Ones. The photographs that accompany this article were taken by Marie Hazelwood.

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