Liam Fray Of Courteeners, Nova Twins, Travis And More Join Ambassadors List For National Album Day
Thursday, 03 October 2024
Written by Jon Stickler
National Album Day has announced more ambassadors for this year's event.
Catherine Marks, Jeff Wayne, Courteeners frontman Liam Fray, Nova Twins, Jazzie B of Soul II Soul, and Travis join the previously confirmed Shed Seven for the 2025 edition, with this year's theme celebrating Great British Groups. Fray said:
“I’m honoured to be a Champion for National Album Day. When I started making music, I didn’t dream I’d write enough songs for an album... I thought it would be a couple of riffs with my childhood friends, coupled with some bad rhymes from my phone. But then, as you develop, and grow, you realise it could, with some luck and a lot of hard work… be an album. The album is the canvas, and every corner should be painted. The album tells the whole story that the singles entice you with. In the age of immediacy singles belong to the ear… But the album belongs to the heart."
Now in its seventh year, and presented in association with BBC Radio 2, National Album Day will take place on October 19 and sees the music community come together to celebrate and promote the art of the album. Head here for more details.
Marks added: "I’m so honoured to be a part of the 2024 National Album Day. The album, as a form, is how I fell in love with music. While I remember singles on the radio or music videos on a Saturday morning, albums were a world I get lost in - they are how we forge deep connections with the artists we love. Albums allow artists to stretch out creatively and dig deeper into what they’re trying to say. I love being a part of helping artists build their album worlds – inhabiting a studio and capturing, forever, a special moment in time. As music consumption becomes more single-driven, it is even more important we celebrate full-length albums, the incredible people who make them and the amazing studios where they were made.”
Jeff Wayne commented: “When my musical version of The War of The Worlds was released in 1978, I had no idea how it would be received. It was the height of the punk revolution and disco was King of the dance floor, yet I released a double album with no cuts, narrated by a Welsh actor.
"Amazingly, it charted just days after its release and stayed there for 330 weeks. Over the years, it’s inspired many different ‘iterations' including arena tours since 2006. From vinyl to the stage, conducting in front of live audiences has shown me first-hand the exhilaration it offers and how magical it can be.
"The power of an album is a true art form, enjoyed for generations. As the Martians exclaim ULLA!, big thanks to the BPI for naming me a National Album Day Champion for 2024."
A list of exclusive records that are being released or re-issued on vinyl and CD for the event can be viewed here.
🔥 #NationalAlbumDay presents our Album Champions of Great British Bands!
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