Music News: Alt-J Win The 2012 Mercury Prize

Cambridge-based quartet Alt-J were the bookies’ favourites to take this year’s Mercury Prize – and they did indeed scoop the award at the Roundhouse tonight, despite tough competition from the likes of Plan B and The Maccabees. ‘An Awesome Wave’ received a 5-star review from us when it was released back in May, with our editor describing it as “strikingly original”. The art-rockers, who have been... Read More

Music News: Mercury Prize Nominees Revealed

Favourites: Art-rockers Alt-J The nominated acts for 2012′s Mercury Prize have now been unveiled, with the usual mix of expected heavyweights and leftfield surprises among the shortlist. Last month we brought you the news that Alt-J were this year’s nailed-on frontrunners, so it’s no real surprise to see the Cambridgeshire-quartet nominated. Django Django and The Maccabees also feature, but there are notable snubs for Florence... Read More

Music News: Bookies Tip Alt-J’s ‘An Awesome Wave’ To Win This Year’s Mercury Prize

It may be a month until the nominees for the Mercury Prize are released, but Paddy Power have already opened betting on what will be named the ‘Album of the Year’ this time around  – and it’s Alt-J who look the favourites.  ‘An Awesome Wave’ currently has odds of 6/4, making it the resounding front-runner, with closest competitors Richard Hawley, Sweet Billy, Django Django and Florence & The Machine... Read More

Interview: David J Roch

Acclaimed Sheffield singer talks to Mark Butler about his debut album, comparisons with Jeff Buckley and Nick Drake, and his rather unusual day job. There are a number of reasons why Sheffield singer David J Roch is probably the UK’s most intriguing new songwriter. There’s the songs themselves of course: a remarkable array of haunting laments, bittersweet ballads and the odd shuddering burst of insatiable funk, as on darkly groovy gem Dew. Then... Read More