GIT Award 2017 shortlist unveiled
The Coral, XamVolo and previous winner Baltic Fleet all feature in the final 12
The shortlist for this year's GIT Award has been announced, once again showcasing an eclectic mix of music from the Merseyside region, including 2015 One to Watch Louis Berry, and Immix Ensemble, the Erased Tapes-signed chamber collective most recently spotted collaborating with Bristolian labelmate Vessel.
Aystar, who recently drew attention for moving British hip-hop's focus away from its traditional London base, also features on the list, as does production duo God Colony, whose line-up includes Tom Gorton of Liverpool future-pop quintet Outfit.
2014 winner Baltic Fleet gets another nomination, following a strong critical response to last year's album The Dear One, with Hoylake's The Coral also present in recognition of their successful return to action with Distance Inbetween, as well as rising R'n'B singer XamVolo. The Vryll Society and She Drew The Gun are also nominated, having completed 2016 with well-received albums and slots at Glastonbury festival.
The shortlist is completed by garage-flecked noise-rockers OHMNS, forward-thinking electronic composer Or:la and mutant hip-hop producer SUEDEBROWN.
Evolving from the Liverpool-based Getintothis blog, the GIT Award was set up to promote the best emerging talent with roots in the Merseyside region – previous winners have included Forest Swords and Bill Ryder-Jones.
With the final 12 whittled down from a longlist of 493 artists, the winner of the 2017 award (the sixth thus far) will be unveiled at a ceremony on Saturday 13 May, at Constellations in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle district. The event will include performances from artists on the shortlist, joined by a selection of DJs and an in-house jam band, with this year's One to Watch and Inspiration awards also to be announced.
GIT Award founder Peter Guy said of the shortlist: “In what was the toughest decision process yet, the GIT Award 2017 shortlist reflects a new cycle in Merseyside music – one which covers artists from all spheres of music; be it grime, techno, psychedelia, orchestral instrumentation through to pop, folk and rock'n'roll – each at the top of their game.
“While certain names on the shortlist will be familiar to some listeners, there’s a whole raft of new artists to discover, and that’s what The GIT Award has always aimed to do from its very beginnings – bring the very best of Merseyside music to new audiences. This year’s 12 challenge, innovate and make quite superb music. I can’t wait for Saturday 13 May when it all comes together.”