'BRITs Have Got More Indie And More Credible', Say Alt-J
Thursday, 21 February 2013
Written by Elliott Batte
English indie-rockers Alt-J have claimed that the BRIT Awards have 'got more indie and more credible' following their nomination.
The band are extremely happy to have been given the nod in the BRITs - though they didn’t win - and have commented on the awards themselves, claiming that they’ve become ‘more credible’ now that they overlap with other awards such as the Mercury Prize.
Alt-J told NME: “I think it illustrates the point that people don't know what to do with us. On one hand we're a slightly leftfield indie band, but on the other we won the Mercury Prize, and we're played on Radio 1 a fair bit, so it's not that unusual. It's like we have a foot in both camps, and this sort of proves it.”
They continued on to talk about the awards themselves, saying: “The two – the BRITs and the Mercury Prize – seemed opposed for so long, one about commercial success, the other being about credibility. Now they're overlapping. If you look at the Mercury Prize, most of the acts were on major labels.
“Nothing against that, but it's not quite as leftfield as it once was, plus majors are releasing different sorts of music. Then again, the Mercury is just about good albums, no matter what label they’re released on. Also, the BRITs have got more indie and more credible. No one is selling records apart from Adele, who seems to be selling all the records, so indie artists and so-called mainstream artists are selling similar numbers.”
They added finally: “It’s a great opportunity and I've got no time for people being cynical about the record industry and things. Once you sign a record contract, you're part of the record industry and you're acknowledging that it's a business. People complain about things being commercial, but that's about what choices you make within the industry. It's about money, yes, but it’s also about making great music first and foremost. They're not mutually exclusive things. Mumford & Sons are hugely successful, but also make great music and they’re a band I respect immensely.”
Their comments are a fair analysis of the awards, and also of their own achievements: the band have blown up in the last year, picking up awards, nominations, Top 20 chart finishes, and a whole load of fans. If you’re one of them, check the dates and links below to find tickets to the band’s up and coming UK tour through Stereoboard.
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