The life of a working mum… last night I was helping at the school PTA fundraiser selling raffle tickets and sweeping glitter of the floor of the hall at midnight…bed at 1 then woken in the middle of the night by my 3yo and five hours sleep.
From one type of glitter to another…tonight I’m working at the sparkling red carpet of the SSE Scottish Music Awards in Glasgow doing coverage for Music News Scotland.
I was delighted to be at 20th SSE Scottish Music Awards which raises funds for the valuable work of Nordoff Robbins https://www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk
The event was presented by Sanjeev Kohli and featured performances from Snow Patrol, Susan Boyle, The Snuts, Amy MacDonald, HYYTS, Tom Grennan and Kyle Falconer.
Sadly there were some award winners not in attendance including Annie Lennox (Scottish Music Hall of Fame) who I would love to have spoken to about her work with The Circle NGO, The Script (Best International Artist) and Kevin Bridges (Ticketmaster Tourmaster Award) – all of whom would have been brilliant to speak to.
It was great to get a chance to catch up with some of the artists in attendance.
Singer songwriter Tom Grennan, who scooped the Best UK Artist Award said he was “delighted” to support the work of Nordoff Robbins. He added: “What they do with music and making lives happier is amazing. It truly is incredible.
“I have never won an award for my work so I am buzzing to be here in Scotland. I will be having a brandy or two to celebrate my win!”
The singer was catching a 4.30am flight to Russia this morning so we hope he didn’t sample too much of the party atmosphere!
Presenter Sanjeev Kohli, who was presenting the awards for the third time, is passionate about music so was delighted to be asked back to front the event.
We caught up Sanjeev about his top acts to play the awards ceremony (Hipsway), his musical upbringing (first gig was Rainbow in 83′), and about his eclectic music taste and some of his favourites acts (Deep Purple/Beastie Boys/ Portishead/ Stevie Wonder).
Regarding the work of Nordoff Robbins, Sanjeev said: “I visited one of their centres and met a wee girl who was disabled and saw the light in her eyes when she had her music therapy.
“We all know how much music can affect us and how much it impacts our lives and fits our mood. Sometimes it’s easy to take for granted how much music can affect you and it’s lovely to see how it can be used in an almost very primal way to better people’s lives.”
Sanjeev added: “There are landmark tunes in my life. I remember where I was when I heard Bring The Noise by Public Enemy for the first time. I was going to school in my mums Volvo and I heard the sound like a siren and thought what the hell is that! It was a total game changer.
“First time I heard Paul’s Boutique by the Beastie Boys, I thought WOW! The first time I heard Portishead I was blown away.”
He has also been working on his playlist for Desert Island Discs, so BBC Radio 4 he is awaiting your call!
I managed to get a quick chat with Kyle Falconer of The View who released his debut solo album ‘No Thank You’ this year and has been enjoying fatherhood.
The singer picked up the award for Best Album, sponsored by the Hard Rock Cafe.
Despite having a young daughter to contend with he says juggling being a working dad has been “surprisingly easy” but he doesn’t know if that will change soon.
Kyle said: “We have another one on the way! We had a gender reveal party …which seems to be the happening thing at the moment. We are having a girl in March so we are excited about that.
“It has been liberating having the new band and fresh start but even recording the album I miss being with the boys and the banter. When we would record it was like being on a wee ship together…pirating – going on an adventure!
“When I made the new album on my own it was quite lonely at times but I had my family with me and I’m working on new material all the time. I have a lot of new material already. It’s all good at the moment.”
West Lothian’s The Snuts, who sold out their current Scottish tour in just one day looked excited but nervous to be there on arrival on the red carpet and were delighted to be nominated for an award.
Lead singer Jack, said: “This is a bit of a change for us (being here tonight) – we have focussed on staying away from the limelight so we can make it purely about our music.
“We are putting a lot of effort into our next gig in Glasgow on Dec 29 at SWG3 and will be working in our new album in the new year. It will be like nothing that anyone has heard before.”
Guitarist Joe, who is a huge Mark Knopfler fan was looking forward to having an opportunity to meet his guitar hero who won the Living Legend Award.
Joe said: “We heard he wasn’t coming along so if he is here I would love to meet him! If he can sell me some of the magic potion of whatever he has been taking for the last 20 years that would be great!”
Snow Patrol picked up the SSE Artist of the Year Award. Singer Gary Lightbody said: “The first 15 years of our lives were spent in Glasgow so we feel very much at home here. It is an amazing scene.
“Nordoff Robbins do incredible work. To know scientifically, not just emotionally that music can heal and change people’s lives, and connect people that have been disconnected with the world like people with dementia is an extraordinary thing.”
A touching moment was when Frightened Rabbit were awarded the Song Writing Award. Collecting the award, Grant Hutchison said: “Can we all just go away from tonight and do one thing. Say to yourself “While I am alive I’ll make tiny changes to earth.”
Award winners:
Outstanding Contribution to Nordoff Robbins – Donald
Scottish Music Hall of Fame Award – Susan Boyle
Electronic Music Award – Eclair FiFi
Best Album – Kyle Falconer
Evolution Award – SWG3
Breakthrough Artist -The Snuts
Scottish Music Hall of Fame – Annie Lennox
SSE Artist of the Year – Snow Patrol
Glasgow, UNESCO City of Music Best Live Event – World Pipe Band Championships
Living Legend – Mark Knopfler
Ticketmaster Tourmaster – Kevin Bridges
Music Business Award – Gary Clark
Evolution Award – SWG3
Breakthrough Artist – The Snuts
Scottish Music Hall of Fame – Annie Lennox
SSE Artist of the Year – Snow Patrol
Song Writing – Frightened Rabbit
Best International Artist – The Script
Best UK Artist – Tom Grennan
Mixtape Mum 