The GIT Awards 2013: Peter Guy Interview

‘Scouse Mercury Prize’ the GIT Awards are returning for a second year after a hugely successful debut outing in 2012. Nerve met up with awards founder and writer/editor of the Getintothis blog Peter Guy to discuss the 2013 prize.

Richard Lewis 15/01/13

Making its debut appearance in 2012, the GIT Awards had a huge impact on the Liverpool music scene. Receiving the enthusiastic backing of the city’s musicians, gig promoters and artistic sector in general, a staggering 380 entries submissions were received for the prize.

Dubbed the ‘Scouse Mercury Prize’ the awards was open to any genre of music, entrants running the gamut from just-starting out bedroom musicians who may not have performed live, to bands with big local followings and those on independent labels.

The entry requirements then and now are simple, a minimum of four tracks via CD or mp3 need to be submitted and the artists involved have to have a clear connection to Merseyside.

Tapping into the rich seam of talent in Liverpool, while ostensibly staged to crown a winner, the dozen-strong awards shortlist provides an invaluable snapshot into what is happening in the region musically.

The awards bash held last April at the Leaf Cafe, saw the lion’s share of the acts nominated perform live with the prize handed out by Liverpool-born music writer Paul DuNoyer, a former NME scribe instrumental in the founding of Q and Mojo.

Securing the trophy, a slot at Liverpool Sound City 2013 and a video created by award-winning film maker Ian Gamester, Wirral based folk/electronica four-piece Loved Ones were triumphant on the night. In addition to Loved Ones’ victory The Kazimier was garlanded with the Inspiration Award for the venue’s essential role in the city’s music scene.

The Leaf is again the scene of this year’s award while the Cafe’s newly minted Grey Space on Water Street was the venue for the launch for this year’s gong held in November.

Doubling up as the launch for ‘The New Challenger’, the debut single of rising soul singer Esco Williams, the Toxteth born vocalist has gone on to the be the highest profile shortlisted artist from 2012s prize, scooping a MOBO award since the inaugural GIT Awards.

In view of the attention the prize received, with the national music press picking up on the story, are you surprised at the way the award took off? ‘I am, but then in a weird way, ‘cos of the way it evolved, I’m not’ Peter says, sat in a city centre cafe on his lunch break.

‘It seemed to be adopted by so many people’ he continues. ‘It grew organically, with more and more people wanting to add input to it. I think initially, there was a level of cynicism and people saying ‘What the hell is it?’ but I think after we announced the twelve shortlisted artists it was then that people were onboard. It lives and thrives on the list of twelve. It’s a very difficult balance an award, keeping the integrity of it so it’s all about music.’

The announcement of the shortlist, which included nationally acknowledged acts Stealing Sheep, Mugstar, Forest Swords and Outfit alongside artists taking their first steps, saw the award’s profile grow exponentially.

After the number of people who became involved last year, inclusivity is one of the key elements of the prize Peter feels. ‘People should get in touch of they want to collaborate’ he nods. ‘Loads of people came to the table last year with Sam Venables doing the trophies and The Kazimier making a special film for the evening. If anyone wants to get into touch with me with ideas then I’m open to them. I think the collaboration process is the key thing. I’m definitely on the lookout for people who want to make this year’s prize, Liverpool sculptors and model makers.’

‘A great example were the guys from Milk: Presents’ Peter explains. ‘They did all the visuals on the night. Originally when they approached they asked ‘What can we do on the night?’ and I said ‘We’ve got someone doing the trophies, what about the mementoes?’ They went away and did these amazing wooden embossed vinyls, I can’t thank them enough for their input.’

With the judging panel expanded from nine to twelve for 2013 several new faces including Maghull-born Q editor Ian Harrison and BBC 6Music’s Tom Ravenscroft, son of legendary Liverpool DJ John Peel are present.

Returning judges include music writers Craig G. Pennington, editor of Liverpool music magazine Bido Lito! new music editor of the NME Matt Wilkinson and John Doran, editor of award-winning music webzine The Quietus.

Also returning are Steve ‘Revo’ Miller, the Liverpool based promoter behind Evol and the programmer for Liverpool Sound City alongside former music journalist Paul Rogers, who is head of website content at Liverpool Football Club.

Gig promoter Clarry Mowforth, co-founder of Liverpool events company everisland and David Lloyd, founder and editor of city culture blog Seven Streets are newcomers to the panel as are Chief Executive of Liverpool youth culture company URBEATZ Yaw Owusu, and Juice FM late show presenter and playlist compiler Johnny Collins. As head of the judging panel Peter completes the list of twelve and has the casting vote in the event of a tie.

The Mercury Prize which recently celebrated in twentieth year is one of the principal inspirations for the GITs. Oft-criticised but always capable of provoking debate, the Mercury’s often have to fend off accusations of tokenism, something Peter feels can’t be levelled at the GIT Awards. ‘I love the Mercury, but I think it sometimes shoots itself in the foot by saying ‘Here’s the Jazz Dude’. I don’t think any of the twelve on the GITs shortlist were tokenistic or outsiders, I think they all had a chance to win.’

As several of the artists who were in the shortlist last year have since released new material, providing the acts submit four new tracks, they could also be in contention for the 2013 award.

Last year, in order to keep the winner’s name under wraps to ensure the result didn’t leak out before the ceremony and to inject an element of spontaneity into proceedings, strict secrecy was observed beforehand. ‘The judges didn’t know on the night’ Peter nods.

Despite the careful planning however the game was almost given away at the eleventh hour as Peter explains. ‘The maddest thing was I was walking up Bold St. and I knew who’d won, but I hadn’t told anyone else apart from Becca my girlfriend, an Echo photographer and Bido Lito! Editor Craig (Pennington). Then I thought ‘Shit, I haven’t written this down anywhere to give to Paul DuNoyer to hand out on the night.’’

‘I went into Utility on Bold St and bought one of those Liverpool post cards with the skyline on. I had to borrow a pen from behind the desk and wrote down ‘The Winners of The GIT Awards are Loved Ones.’ Then I immediately walked out of the door and there were Jay, Ben and Nik from the band unloading their gear from the car! Jay was like ‘Alright Pete, what are doing?’ and I said ‘Er, nothing, I’m just walking up to Leaf!’ That was such a weird thing, they definitely didn’t get onto it though thankfully!’ he laughs.

While indie rock, hip-hop, electronica and R n’ B were all represented last year, pop music was absent, something Peter hopes is remedied this year. ‘I don’t see too many straight-up popstars coming through’ the writer says. ‘Maybe that’s my ignorance though, so get in touch, send your tracks in.’

With the avalanche of submissions received for last year highly likely to be matched or even surpassed this year before the February deadline rolls around, the GIT Awards prominence on Merseyside and further afield looks set only to increase.

Musicians, bands and creative types who would like to enter for this year's prize are asked to send four tracks to getintothis@gmail.com or alternatively post to Peter Guy, The GIT Award, Liverpool Daily Post & ECHO PO Box 48, Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L69 3EB.

The closing date for entries is February 28th.

The overall winner of the GIT Award and Inspiration Award to be announced in April.

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