The Academy sweep at Scottish Alternative Music Awards SAMAs 2019
The Scottish Alternative Music Awards (SAMAs) returned with a bang last Friday night (25th October) at St. Lukes in Glasgow, celebrating in style a night of the best in Scottish underground music talent. The Academy of Music and Sound were proud to once again sponsor the award for Best Newcomer, which went to the multi-genre bending duo Vanlves.
Richy Muirhead, creative director of the SAMAs, said: “The seven winners are all very exciting artists with exciting futures ahead.”
He added, “this year’s SAMAs were another huge celebration of Scottish music…. It is fantastic to see the public get so involved and participate in the vote to determine the winners. We gathered over 12,500 votes in two days this year, which is a new record. It’s great to see so many people engaging with the nominations, streaming the music, and discovering other artists involved.
“The Scottish music scene is such a friendly and supportive community.
It wouldn’t matter who won really, the kindness and respect we all have
for each other really sets this scene apart.”
It was also a great night current and past AMS talent. Academy alumni and accomplished acoustic superstar Zoe Graham, took home the award for Best Acoustic act, who took the prize a year after another previous AMS Glasgow student Megan Airlie was awarded the prize in 2018. Zoe was a HND student at our Glasgow centre and is embarking on a solo headline tour at the end of November, performing in Edinburgh, Inverness and Aberdeen.
We caught up with Zoe after the event. She commented on her experience at the 2019 SAMAs and her win: “I totally wasn’t expecting the win, I was up against some stiff competition and considering it all depended on votes I really thought Aaron Smith was going to take home the prize. Safe to say I was slightly lost for words during my speech.”
She continued, “After many years of graft and dedication to my music it’s just so nice to be recognised for it. Afterwards it was a great night with so many of my friends. The Scottish music scene is such a friendly and supportive community. It wouldn’t matter who won really, the kindness and respect we all have for each other really sets this scene apart.”
Five other former alumni from AMS Glasgow were nominees for the award including Aaron Smith, Godeater, CRYSTAL and Cloth (who are also headlining our highly-anticipated 25 Year celebrations in Glasgow next month). The event itself raised more than £300 for Help Musicians Scotland.
You can check out the full list of nominees and winners here and keep checking the SAMAs website for updates and photos from this years installment.
AMS Head of Education & Training to speak at Resonate Conference 2019
Resonate is back. This edition will see more incredible panels, workshops, one to one sessions and discussions. This year, not only will delegates have access to world-class panels, discussions and a hearty lunch, they will also be treated to live entertainment from many of the best upcoming Scottish talent.
AMS Scotland Marketing guru and head of the Education and Training at our Glasgow centre, Marc Sharpe will be taking part in the opening panel, Hello, Is It Opportunities in Music You’re Looking For? discussing education and music industry opportunities for young people and aspiring musicians. He’ll be featuring on the panel alongside Director of Skapade Studios Stephen Kirkwood – known for bring top of his game in the Scottish electronic music scene, Hilary Brooks – Founder of Scottish Women Inventing Music plus DJ-Producer and The Sound Lab rep, Rebecca Vasmant.
Who is Marc Sharpe?
With 14 years in the music industry, AMS’ Marc has primarily focused his career on Education and Training at the Academy of Music and Sound (Glasgow campus) and is currently the manager for marketing and recruitment for Scotland. Many of his duties at the Academy of Music and Sound have also included delivering lessons on Music Technology.
Marc has a varied experience within the creative industries ranging from working in A&R and promotions with companies such as; Island Records, EMI, Paramount Pictures and Disney. He has also worked at the BBC where he delivered classes within the BBC’s ‘Technology Hub’ to members of staff and worked on shows such as Children in Need, Scottish History Tour, Frankie Boyle, Rhod Gilbert and John Barrowman’s Tonights the Night.
Attend Resonate 2019
We’re also taking students to this year’s event at a discounted price, plus, the organisers and masterminds behind the Resonate event, will be heading to our Scotland centres to give talks to the students about how to set up and plan a music conference event.
Tickets to attend are also open to the general public. Find out more about Resonate here and read about previous year’s installments here. See below for images from Resonate 2018.
"The Big Gig" AMS Scotland mark 25 Years Loud with SAMAs and Scottish Music Centre
SAVE THE DATE
Here at AMS have been celebrating 25 years in music education this year. After an amazing showcase this summer in
Exeter, Academy of Music and Sound Scotland are bringing a joint party, along with the Scottish Music Centre – (who are marking a
mahoosive 50th year!) – AND the Scottish Alternative Music Awards (who turn 10 tonight!) to Saint Luke’s on 21 November. We’re calling this one, the BIG GIG.
The event will include a gig with guest acts such as Mellisa Kelly and the Smokin’ Crows, Marina Rolink, Vandal Palace, and Quiche.
Plus the band Cloth – who were nominated for the Best Newcomer Award as part of this years SAMA’s (a category the Academy of Music
and Sound were proud to sponsor this year). With even more acts TBC, this is definitely one to put in the diary.
Alongside these acts, there will be tables represented by Resonate, Musicians’ Union, Help Musicians UK and the Scottish Music Industry Association.
PLUS there is going to be free beer (yes free) from sponsor Drygate Brewery and Wandern Media will be shooting and snapping the entire event. ????
????For more info click here to sign up to AMS Scot’s mailer!????
FOR TICKETS, CLICK HERE. ????
Click HERE for the FACEBOOK EVENT ????
Autumn Term Open Evenings, Exeter
We’re opening our Exeter doors for a series of open events in the coming few months, where you can check out our facilities, get all your course based questions answered, and find out what life is like studying music with the Academy in Exeter.
Throughout the term, we’re giving you several chances to pop in and find out more about the Further Education and Higher Education courses we are offering for a 2020 start. If you’re interested in our Further Education courses head down to an open day at our Exeter base on 30th October, 13th November or 11th December.
Or if you’re considering a Higher Education course, a Foundation or BA (top up) in Music and Sound, or considering our M.Mus in Popular Music Performance, then head to our Studio 54, an arm of our Exeter centre, in the heart of the city on either 7th or 28th November. There will be a welcome, meet and greet, performance in the live room, tour of facilities, and an informative presentation.
All Exeter Open events 2019.
FE Open Evening 1 – 30th October
FE Open Evening 2 – 13th November
FE Open Evening 3 – 11th December
HE Open Evening 1 – 7th November
HE Open Evening 2 – 28th November
Make sure you confirm your planned attendance to this event in advance as space is limited.
Email [email protected] or 01392 427874 to book a place.
See you there!
Callum Beattie, Rory McLeod, Loft Studios confirmed for Gateshead Masterclasses
The Academy of Music and Sound Gateshead have announced a series of masterclasses
led by professional musicians and industry leaders for the coming months.
Up-and-coming Scottish singer-songwriter Callum Beattie will be leading a class on
20 November, Newcastle based recording and mixing pro Anth Mills, Rob Meek and
the team from Loft Studios.
(Just added!) AMS Gateshead will host on Friday 15th November, an epic masterclass with Rory Mcleod – ex-circus clown and fire eater, and one man soulband, poet and storyteller. The event is FREE for CURRENT/EX STUDENTS, and is also open to the public for only £5.
Rory is a modern travelling troubadour using tap shoes, acappella, harmonica, guitar, trombone, spoons, finger cymbals, bandorea, djembe and various percussion instruments! He’s also a seasoned traveler, having explored places such as the middle East, Gambia, Cuba, Central America, Australia, North America, Canada, Europe and other nooks and crannies of the earth. ????
While on 20th November, Callum Beattie heads to AMS Gateshead for a masterclass. Managed by the team behind The Kooks, Michael Kiwanuka, The La’s, and Cast, the former Edinburgh busker recently signed a recordings deal with 3 Beat/Universal. Callum’s debut album is scheduled for release in 2019, In the meantime, he can be heard on the new single from High Contrast and is currently supporting Robbie Williams and The Kooks on there European tours. This event is also free for current students or AMS alumni, with a generous £3 entry fee for members of the public – who are also warmly welcome to take part! MORE INFO HERE.
Rory McLeod | 15th November | AMS Gateshead
Callum Beattie | 20th November | AMS Gateshead
Gateshead Open Evening 2019
Fancy studying music in the heart of the North East? Gateshead’s music scene is thriving, and what better place to start, or continue your studies.
Join us on 24th October for an Open Evening running 6-8pm, where you can enjoy a performance by some of our current students, an engaging talk with members of our staff and teachers who are professionals in the industry, and a tour of the centre and our facilities.
“Culture is integrated into every part of the city and can be seen interconnected with entertainment, from street performers through to public art, creating inspiration where ever you turn. With one of the most vibrant student cultures in the country, it is also home to some staple music venues such as The Cluny (Newcastle) and The Sage (Gateshead). The region is a first-class option for musical study.”
At the Gateshead centre we run courses in:
- RSL Level 3 Extended Music Practitioners
- Foundation Degree in Music and Sound
- BA (Hons) Top up in Music and Sound
- M.Mus Popualr Music Performance
Call 0191 478 7879 or Email [email protected] to find out more and book a place to attend.
The Gateshead centre have also been delivering masterclasses throughout the Autumn term. Newcastle based recording and mixing pro Anth Mills led a ProTools and Live Mixing session on 9th October, plus Rob Meek will be taking a class titled “Music and Sound for the Media” on 16th October. Rising Scottish star Callum Beatie and the team from Loft Studio will host classes later in the term.
Find out more about life and studying in Gateshead here.
Gateshead Open Evening | 24 October 2019 | 191 HIGH STREET, TYNE AND WEAR, NE8 1AS | 6PM – 8PM | FREE