SUNDERLAND band Field Music are up for the Mercury Music Prize, Wearside-born presenter Lauren Laverne revealed last night.
The popular group, led by brothers Peter and David Brewis, is one of 12 acts on the shortlist.
Their album, Plumb, which was released at the beginning of this year, will be up against the likes of Plan B’s III Manors, Richard Hawley’s Standing at the Sky’s Edge, Django Django’s eponymous offering, Maccabees’ Given to the Wild and Ben Howard’s Every Kingdom.
There are also shortlist places for Alt-J, Jessie Ware, Lianne La Havas, Michael Kiwanuka, Sam Lee and Roller Trio.
Recorded during 2011 at their studio on the banks of the Wear, the 15-track album was the fourth to come out of the Field Music stable.
No sooner had the announcement been made, than the band’s Facebook page was peppered in congratulatory messages, including one from fellow Sunderland-bred music makers The Futureheads: “So many heartfelt congrats go out to Field Music for their Mercury Music Prize nomination. Woop woop!”
Meanwhile the band themselves posted a message on their website: “Well, blow us down and knock our socks off - Plumb has only been nominated for the Mercury Prize.
“We're a few albums in now and we were fairly convinced our chances of ever making the Mercury shortlist were minimal to nil so this is a really nice surprise.
“Thanks for sticking with us, coming to the shows, buying the records and trying to convince the uninitiated to check us out.”
Known for offering a big boost to sales for both the victor and the nominees, the winner of the Mercury Prize will be announced live on Channel 4 on November 1.
Meanwhile, a new deal with the broadcaster will see many of the nominated acts playing special shows in the run up to the ceremony.
Thankfully, Field Music’s home fans won’t have to wait that long. The band plays The Split Festival in Sunderland on September 23.
