Redolent’s album ‘Dinny Greet’ has been announced as winner of The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award for 2024.

At a ceremony at Stirling’s Albert Halls, the Edinburgh five-piece lifted the £20,000 first prize, as well as a bespoke trophy created by Dunblane artist Elin Isaksson.

The band – brothers Danny and Robin Herbert, Andrew Turnbull, Robbie White and Alice Hancock – claimed the title ahead of a ten-strong shortlist including Arab Strap, corto.alto, Rachel Sermanni, and a collaboration between Withered Hand and Kathryn Williams.

Four members of the band accepted the trophy – their drummer being in Portugal – and said, in an excitable acceptance speech: “This feels like the dream of a seven-year-old child – it’s making me question all of existence and reality!

“I always feel like we’re sprinting behind the pack trying to keep up and all I’ve wanted to do is contribute something. I’m potentially also gonna greet right now which is ironic.

“We’re just so grateful this helps us keep this wee club that we’ve got going. Thank you also to Young Fathers for all the cool tunes and for not releasing one this year!”

As well as their near-neighbours Young Fathers, who have lifted the award three times including last year, the band also thanked Post Electric. The studio, set up by Rod Jones out of Idlewild and Kris Pohl, also released the album via its subsidiary label.

Also at the event, Martyn Bennett’s final record ‘Grit’ was awarded the Modern Scottish Classic Award, presented by the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA), with Martyn’s wife Kirsten Bennett and close friend BJ Stewart accepting the award on his behalf.

Kirsten said: “This is a very special award. Martyn would have loved that this represents so much of what is outstanding about Scottish music that’s happening now, no matter what genre.” BJ added: “The Martyn Bennett Trust is finally releasing the official biography (in 2025) and it’s been a long time coming. Please keep listening.”

And Dillon Barrie was named The Sound of Young Scotland ahead of fellow nominees Alice Faye, Goliath, Pippa Blundell and Spyres, winning a funding package worth up to £10,000 to create his debut album.

Now in its thirteenth year, The SAY Award has distributed over £390,000 in prize money, recognised 260 Longlisted albums and championed musicians from the country’s past, present and future.

The SAY Award Shortlist for 2024 in alphabetical order was:
Arab Strap – I’m totally fine with it don’t give a fuck anymore
Barry Can’t Swim – When Will We Land?
Becky Sikasa – The Writings and the Pictures and the Song
corto.alto – Bad With Names
Dead Pony – IGNORE THIS
Kathryn Williams & Withered Hand – Willson Williams
Lucia & The Best Boys – Burning Castles
Rachel Sermanni – Dreamer Awake
rEDOLENT – dinny greet
Theo Bleak – Pain

The judging panel of industry experts and cultural ‘tastemakers’, from across Scotland and the wider UK, were chaired by Arusa Qureshi, and consisted of: Alistair Braidwood (Owner/Host, Scots Whay Hae!), Briana Pegado (Author & Founder, Good Trouble Co.), David Pollock (Journalist), Doug Johnstone (Author), Hazel Berry (Artist Relations & Amazon Originals Lead, Amazon Music), Karen Dunbar (Comedian/Actress/Entertainer), KevTame (Music Industry Professional, Welsh Music Prize Organiser), Leonie Bell (Director, V&A Dundee), Paul Bonham (Professional Development Director, Music Manager’s Forum), Sabrina Henry (Head of Programme, CCA), Stephanie Cheape (Singer/songwriter and BBC Introducing Presenter, BBC Radio Scotland).

More at sayaward.com