Sam Fender, Sam Smith Among Nominees For 65th Ivor Novello Awards

Sam Fender, Lewis Capaldi, Sam Smith and Jamie Cullum are among the nominees for the 65th annual Ivor Novello Awards. The Ivors Academy announced the shortlists this morning (20) in eight categories, also recognizing such writers as Stormzy, Dave, Nick Cave, Labrinth and Calvin Harris.

With no live event this year due to the coronavirus crisis, the winners of the “Ivors” are to be announced on September 2 by Matt Wilkinson on Apple Music’s Beats 1 Radio at 11am BST.

Fender’s “Dead Boys,” from his UK chart-topping 2019 debut Hypersonic Missiles and published in the UK by Kobalt Music Publishing, is shortlisted for Best Song Musically and Lyrically. It’s up against Cullum’s “Age Of Anxiety,” published in the UK by Sentric Music and taken from his Taller album of last year, and Stormzy’s “Crown,” from 2019’s Heavy Is The Head. Written with MJ Cole Jimmy Napes, its UK publishers are Warner Chappell Music and Downtown Music Publishing.

Capaldi’s “Hold Me While You Wait,” which he wrote with Jamie N. Commons and Jamie Hartman, is up for the PRS for Music Most Performed Work title. Calvin Harris and Rag ‘n’ Bone Man’s “Giant” and Sam Smith and Normani’s “Dancing With A Stranger” complete that shortlist.

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds’ Ghosteen will compete for Best Album with Little Simz’ Grey Area and Kate Tempest’s The Book of Traps and Lessons. Best Contemporary Song pits Dave’s “Black” against Tempest’s “Firesmoke” and J Hus’ “Must Be.” Among other titles, up-and-coming artists Amahla, Carmel Smickersgill, Griff, lullahush and Mysie are nominated for the Rising Star Award with Apple Music.

“All aspects of the human experience”

“Our judges have recognized extraordinary works that reflect on all aspects of the human experience and demonstrate the power and importance of music, in all its forms,” says Crispin Hunt, Chair of The Ivors Academy. “Everything begins with the creativity of the songwriter or composer, and this is the building block on which our industry rests.

“That is why these awards are so important because they celebrate this craft and talent. It is also fantastic to see nearly half of those recognized today nominated for an Ivor Novello Award for the very first time. Congratulations to everyone.”

Nominations for The Ivors with Apple Music 2020 are:

Best Album
Ghosteen – Written by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis
Performed by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. Published in the UK by Kobalt Music Publishing.

Grey Area – Written by Inflo and Little Simz
Performed by Little Simz. Published in the UK by Universal Music Publishing.

The Book of Traps and Lessons – Written by Dan Carey and Kate Tempest
Performed by Kate Tempest. Published in the UK by Warner Chappell Music and Domino Publishing Company.

Best Contemporary Song
“Black” – Written by Dave and Fraser T Smith
Performed by Dave. Published in the UK by Warner Chappell Music and Kobalt Music Publishing.

“Firesmoke” – Written by Dan Carey and Kate Tempest
Performed by Kate Tempest. Published in the UK by Warner Chappell Music and Domino Publishing Company.

“Must Be”- Written by JAE5 and J Hus
Performed by J Hus. Published in the UK by Black Butter Music Publishing – Kobalt Music Publishing and Warner Chappell Music.

Best Original Film Score
For Sama – Composed by Nainita Desai
Published in the UK by Manners McDade Music Publishing.

Midsommar – Composed by Bobby Krlic
Published in the UK by Kobalt Music Publishing.

Monos – Composed by Mica Levi
Published in the UK by Beggars Music.

Best Original Video Game Score
Arise: A Simple Story – Composed by David Garcia Diaz

Draugen – Composed by Simon Poole

Lost Ember – Composed by Dorian Behner, John Broomhall and Will Morton

Best Song Musically and Lyrically
“Age of Anxiety” – Written and performed by Jamie Cullum
Published in the UK by Sentric Music Ltd.

“Crown” – Written by MJ Cole, Jimmy Napes and Stormzy
Performed by Stormzy. Published in the UK by Warner Chappell Music and Downtown Music Publishing.

“Dead Boys” – Written and performed by Sam Fender
Published in the UK by Kobalt Music Publishing.

Best Television Soundtrack
Euphoria – Composed by Labrinth
Published in the UK by Universal Music Publishing.

Rise of the Nazis – Composed by Tom Hodge
Published in the UK by BBC Studios Distribution Limited obo 72 Films Limited – Universal Music Publishing and Leland Originals Publishing – Decca Publishing.

The Crown (Series 3) – Composed by Martin Phipps
Published in the UK by Du Vinage Publishing and Sony/ATV Music Publishing.

PRS for Music Most Performed Work
“Dancing with a Stranger” – Written by Mikkel Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, Jimmy Napes and Sam Smith
Performed by Sam Smith and Normani. Published in the UK by EMI Music Publishing, Downtown Music Publishing, Stellar Songs – EMI Music Publishing and Naughty Words – Sony/ATV Music Publishing.

“Giant” – Written by Calvin Harris, Jamie Hartman, Rag ‘n’ Bone Man and Troy Miller
Performed by Calvin Harris and Rag ‘n’ Bone Man. Published in the UK by EMI Music Publishing, Reservoir Reverb Music, Warner Chappell Music and Bucks Music Group.

“Hold Me While You Wait” – Written by Lewis Capaldi, Jamie N Commons and Jamie Hartman
Performed by Lewis Capaldi. Published in the UK by BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing and Reservoir Reverb Music.

Rising Star Award with Apple Music
Amahla, Carmel Smickersgill, Griff, lullahush and Mysie.