Spotlight On... The Sound of Young Scotland

Introduced to The SAY Award in 2021, The Sound of Young Scotland Award’s aim is to celebrate the future of Scottish music. The award helps facilitate the creation of a debut album from a young and emerging artist in Scotland, with the winner receiving a funding package worth over £10,000 which includes studio time, vinyl pressing and more.

This year there were 119 applications for the award, and whittling down that list to just one winner are 11 former SAY Award nominees. Ahead of the winner being announced at The SAY Award Ceremony on 26 October, the applications have already been distilled to a sparkling, diverse and exciting shortlist of five artists. So this week we're shining a spotlight on the five artists up for the award – Danny Cliff, No Windows, Pearling, Pippa Blundell and Queen of Harps – one of whom is set to follow in the footsteps of past winners LVRA (2021) and Berta Kennedy (2022).

Danny Cliff

Who or what inspires your music-making?
"Life's rhythms" refers to the patterns, cadences, and sequences that occur in our daily existence. It's the heartbeat of existence, from the steady ticking of time to the ebb and flow of experiences. These rhythms aren't just mechanical; they carry narratives within them. Each beat, each rise and fall, holds a story. It could be the anticipation before a major life event, the steady persistence of hard work, or the gentle lullaby of a peaceful moment.

In my music-making, I draw from these rhythms to craft compositions that resonate with the stories they encapsulate. I aim to weave these tales into melodies, harmonies and arrangements, creating a musical tapestry that speaks to the shared experiences of humanity. So, when I say "Life's rhythms and the stories they tell", I'm expressing how the very essence of existence serves as my muse, driving the creation of music that mirrors the depth and richness of life itself.

Tell us a little bit about what you're currently working on?
I’m currently working on shaping and perfecting my sound, recording a lot more songs, learning and discovering new genres in the pursuit of developing my knowledge in music and art behind the music.

What does 2024 look like for you, and what will you do if you win the award?
In 2024, I envision a year of growth, creativity, and meaningful connections. Winning the award would be a validation of my dedication and passion. It would fuel my drive to push boundaries, explore new artistic horizons, and collaborate with fellow visionaries. This accolade would serve as a platform to amplify my voice and share my art with a wider audience, ultimately inspiring others to pursue their creative dreams.

No Windows

Who or what inspires your music-making?
Our music is informed and inspired by everything that surrounds us, everything from friends, books, films and shitty exes. It all goes into the pot whether we know it or not, the pot being the music.

Tell us a little bit about what you're currently working on?
What we’re working on now is quite different to what’s been released previously, so apologies if you were into that. We’ve definitely learned a lot about songwriting and collaborating and this can be heard in the music. It all just sounds a bit more put together but still keeping with our “sound”.

What does 2024 look like for you, and what will you do if you win the award?
2024 is going to be a busy but exciting year for us; we’ve got plenty planned for releases, but our big focus will be elevating the live performance. We’ve got shows planned across the country so hopefully you can see it in person. If we win the award we’ll probably just get really pished, but in the long run we'll make good use of the prize money. It will give us the opportunity to record new music, which we're really excited to do.

Pearling

Who or what inspires your music-making?
I'm super inspired by my Scottish heritage, by the nature I grew up around and the sort of ethereal, melancholic beauty of it all. At the moment I'm also inspired by lots of early 2000s childhood stuff; things that surrounded me during a really innocent time. I'm a really nostalgic person and I try and dig to that childlike place often to create sounds and atmospheres that replicate the feelings themselves.

Tell us a little bit about what you're currently working on?
I'm in a really creative space at the moment and I'm making lots and lots of music. I've been working on collaborations with artists I love and experimenting with different styles of electronic music recently too. I'm in a place where I'm creating so much I could definitely release a longer form project soon, which is so exciting.

I've been playing lots of shows [recently] – particularly club nights which are always my favourite because I can curate a set and an atmosphere for any kind of night. I always end up producing a whole new set for clubs which is slightly insane but fun!

What does 2024 look like for you, and what will you do if you win the award?
2024 is looking really bright for me, I've got lots of different songs I've worked on this year that will be released and I'm full of new ideas that I can't wait to bring to life, as well as loads of really cool gig opportunities floating around.

If I won this award it would be huge for me, I'd be able to have access to a professional studio that's not my bedroom and experiment with things like hardware synths and new recording techniques. I've been entirely self-taught so far production-wise too, so it would be super helpful to get some professional guidance with this. Finally, having access to be able to fund visuals properly with styling and set design and being able to get lots of my talented friends involved would be amazing.

Pippa Blundell

Who or what inspires your music making?
I’m hugely inspired by my friends and the creative community I’m surrounded by here in Glasgow. I’m constantly consuming live music and art, from intimate flat gigs to sweaty raves. It’s a huge part of this city’s culture, and it’s almost impossible to avoid! There are so many nights run by local organisations doing cool things such as Flos Collective, Anam Collective, LayLow and Glitch 41 to name a few. Watching people express themselves through music will always be a huge source of inspiration for me.

Tell us a bit about what your currently working on?
I’ve been a soloist so far in my musical career, but I’ve recently started collaborating with a group of incredible musicians as a band. They are all friends I’ve met through jams and gigs and they each have a very distinctive style and way of playing that I really admire. When we all gather the sound is a melting pot of pure magic, it’s really exciting! We’re preparing for our first gig together at The Rum Shack on 2 November, where I’ll be sharing my recently released [Sisters] EP and loads of new tunes with the band. I’m buzzing!

What does 2024 look like for you, and what will you do if you win the award?
In 2024 I want to keep growing and developing my sound, dive deeper into the experience with my band… and hopefully record an album! It’s getting more and more difficult to keep creating and making art with the cost of living being so high and cuts constantly being made to funding bodies that so many artists depend upon for their careers. Winning this award would make all these difficulties feel a bit less difficult! However, I am so grateful for even just this recognition. It’s a huge confidence boost to keep going even when it feels like it’s too tough. I’m wishing all the finalists good luck; I know whoever wins the award will make some truly beautiful art.

Queen of Harps

Who or what inspires your music-making?
I guess it’s not specifically just one thing or person that inspires me. I use my music to help make sense of things I’ve experienced – my struggles, the ebbs and flow. I write almost everything down. Anything can inspire me, from the weather, to love, to grief, to the food I’m eating, my climate, the culture and everything in between.

It’s all emotive; every last detail, down to a single word, which could evoke a whole feeling and the foundations for a verse/song/poem. Most of my content comes when I’m doing something monotonous like the dishes or cycling and I quickly have to voice note or jot down my idea.

Tell us a little bit about what you're currently working on?
I’ve been mad busy doing shows and performing across the summer. Took a hiatus to visit the States and been filming some bits for my first music video. Behind the scenes I’ve been grinding hard trying to work on my debut mixtape/album, which consists of 11 tracks which is a combination of solo and collaborative works. I am self-funded primarily and spending all my blood, sweat and tears trying to release this project out to the world, finessing and not rushing this process! It’s been a long time coming.

What does 2024 look like for you, and what will you do if you win the award?
2024, gonna be grabbing that bull by its horns, I’m telling you. With this award it would help me further to drop some sick visuals and promote the project, see where this debut takes me. I've already been making moves to plan an international tour of both the UK and USA. Watch. This. Space.

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The winner of The Sound of Young Scotland Award will be announced at The SAY Award Ceremony at The Albert Halls, Stirling, 26 Oct

sayaward.com