Wirral-born post-dub producer Forest Swords (a.k.a Matthew Barnes) scooped the GIT Awards 2014’s top honours at a city centre celebration of Liverpool’s booming music scene at the Kazimier arts venue last week.
Not in attendance due to gigging commitments in Brighton, Barnes nevertheless managed to send a word of thanks, saying he was "honoured and proud" to be playing a part in Merseyside’s rich arts and music scene. Barnes was also praised by legendary dub producer and Forest Swords collaborator Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, who sent a personal tribute from his Jamaican home.
In his message sent from the sell-out gig, Barnes said: "I’m very pleased and honoured to be this year’s recipient of the GIT Award. I feel proud to live and work on Merseyside which has such a rich culture of music and art right now, and which every musician in Liverpool – shortlisted for this award or not – contributes to."
He added: "I was lucky enough for the legendary Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry to remix of a track of mine earlier in the year. I was uncomfortable with the idea of doing my own acceptance video for this award, so I asked the master himself to do it for me. I know he also feels a love for Liverpool".
Meanwhile, the evening’s Inspiration Award went to Liverpool’s celebrated Africa Oye festival, which will enjoy its 22nd excursion to the city’s Sefton Park this year. And 17-year-old female producer Låpsley won the ceremony’s new One To Watch prize, performing at the event in what was only her second UK gig.
Peter Guy, the GIT Award founder, said of the evening: "There’s no region around the world to match new music emanating out of Merseyside right now – tonight justified the hype with industry heads from across Europe heading to the Kazimier to watch the talent unfold."
Head to Guy’s Getintothis blog for their write-up of the night and watch Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry’s acceptance video below:
