Home » Features » Interviews » Currently Reading:

Lauren Laverne on the workings of the Mercury Prize

Lauren Laverne

Lauren Laverne

Ever wondered exactly how the judging panel comes to its decision on the winner of the Barclaycard Mercury Prize? Muso’s Guide caught up with previous judge and current BBC presenter Lauren Laverne for the inside track just before the winner was revealed.

MG: Hey Lauren. What are you up to tonight?

LL: I am here to present BBC2’s live coverage. We’re live from 10-10.30, Jools is gonna be doing the announcement live on the show and I throw to him. Get this – I’m in charge of him! Obviously, he has to be there or the whole thing falls down like a pack of cards… I’ve been here all day observing, enjoying, drinking in the atmosphere.

MG: Come on then – who do you think will win the Prize?

LL: I’ve judged before for a few years and I’m just glad I’m not this year ‘cos it’s very very close, a tough call and a strong list. Usually it’s between ‘X’ and ‘Y’ but this year I think it could go any way. You know, you’ve got Florence – I love her so much and would be so glad if she won – and then you’ve got big hitters like Kasabian, all the way to these really small bands like Sweet Billy Pilgrim. Their album was recorded in a shed and only sold 1000 [copies] pre-nomination. Tim from the band found out they were nominated when he was fitting a toilet for work and actually, do you know what, they’ve got a really good shot! So I just don’t know, I can’t call it.

MG: How exactly does the judging panel work?

LL: It’s so complicated; it depends, really, from year to year. They always say you can’t judge it on “what is the best album?” as that’s subjective, so they’ll be looking for something that sums up the year. I think they’re looking for something that represents Britain and Ireland; you know, they’re looking for a number of things, and you can see what would tick those boxes but it depends. I sort of know who’s on the panel, and having done it for a few years I can hear their arguments but even then I don’t know which way it’s gonna go. It’s sort of like Twelve Angry Men but with vol au vents! Lots of shots of people with beads of sweat glistening on foreheads… They’ll still be doing it now, downstairs in a room. You get brought up to watch the performances and then you get taken back down, and you get your dinner, and depending how difficult the decision is, you either eat it or not!

MG: Have you heard about Los Campesinos! and Dananananaykroyd planning to go on tour and cover Kenickie songs?

LL: No, really!? My goodness. Well, Dananananaykroyd, their singer is married to Jaff from The Futureheads and Barry from The Futureheads goes out with Marie who used to be in Kenickie [Lauren's got a bit mixed up here! Ed.], so there is linkage there: a Venn diagram to be had.

MG: One last question: will Kenickie ever reform?

LL: Errrr, I think probably not, I don’t see it. When you’ve got hot young properties like Dananananaykroyd and Los Campesinos! covering you, the pop scene has no need of us.

MG: Cheers Lauren!

And with that she tottered off in her very glam high heels, ready to begin the tag-team with Jools and announce that Speech Debelle is 2009’s Mercury Prize winner.

Written by Catherine Wilson

is Muso's Guide's Content Editor, and has been hanging around like a bad smell since back in 2003. She plays bass for London band Paintings of Ships, regularly spills words on music and football, and is rumoured to like Strongbow just a little bit.

blog comments powered by Disqus

Comment on this Article:







Buy tickets

You will probably love these too...

Hot Chip – One Life Stand

February 7, 2010

Still one of the most unique bands of the past decade.

The Fiery Furnaces – Take Me Around Again

February 7, 2010

Anyone for seconds? The Friedbergers play it again. And again.

Mike Doughty – London Relentless Garage

February 5, 2010

February 2nd 2010
“I want to be on you”.  Ron Burgundy’s “immortal words” are those chosen by Mike Doughty to sell himself to the British public.
Doughty, formerly of alt-rock band Soul Coughing, is pretty popular in the States, but relatively unknown here.  My question referred to selling himself to us in the style of a dating [...]

Chemikal Underground’s Celtic Connections – Glasgow ABC

February 2, 2010

If you’re looking to name a contemporary independent Scottish label, there’s a chance Chemikal Underground will be the first. Originally set up by The Delgados to release their debut single, they quickly established themselves as the most important label in Scotland since Postcard releasing records by the likes of Arab Strap, Mogwai, Aereogramme, Bis, Mother [...]

The Ex + Brass Unbound + Zun Zun Egui – Bristol Fleece

February 2, 2010

January 29th 2010
There’s a keenly felt sense of anticipation in the Fleece this evening. As well as being the first of The Ex’s performances with the formidable Brass Unbound roster – Mats Gustafsson, Ken Vandermark, Roy Paci and Walter Wierbos – the bill also features local firebrands Zun Zun Egui, a band that sorely deserve [...]

Follow us on Twitter…

Become a fan on Facebook…

Join the conversation...

  • nestaF: I agreeIt was a GREAT night...
  • Csagarhouse: Hi There. My band would love to get involved, We are...
  • alexellis: Hi, Sounds interesting!! Here's the Myspace!! ...
  • Kilf: You dis Dan and Scroob and call yourself a muso?...
  • basslady: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!...
  • liamjohn: Hello,check out ...
  • Paul Faller: Hmm. I think you're being very harsh on Favourite Worst ...
  • PeterHarris: My favourite artist to use the word spelunking is Joanna New...
  • josegiles01: Medical billing is the fast growing field. Find your local s...
  • josegiles01: Medical billing is the fast growing field. Find your local s...

Win tickets to see Casiokids in London

Casiokids.jpg

Norway's electro pop quintet CASIOKIDS play Camden’s Barfly on February 25, and we're giving away a pair of tickets.

After the release of a few stellar singles in 2009, 2010 is looking exciting for this lot. Their bouncy percussive basement music, eerie melody and distorted bass are the product of inspiration from such diverse sources as Paul Simon's 'Graceland', Ivor Cutler, King Tubby, Bob Hund, Cornelius And Fela Kuti.

To win tickets, just answer the following question:

Which label are CASIOKIDS signed to?

We are listening

Blog Widget by LinkWithin