Franz land Mercury Prize

Best of Franz: winners of the Mercury Music Prize
11 April 2012
The Weekender

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Scottish art-rockers Franz Ferdinand have scooped the prestigious Mercury music prize with their debut album.

The Glasgow-based four-piece band were firm favourites with the bookies to win the honour and walked away with a £20,000 cheque.

Their debut album has sold over a million copies worldwide since its release in February this year and has also been heavily praised by the music critics.

Franz Ferdinand, who were nominated following their triumphant performance at this summer's Glastonbury Festival, said they were chuffed at the accolade announced at last night's event hosted by Jools Holland.

Singer and guitarist Alex Kapranos told the crowds: "We really didn't expect to win this. We haven't got a speech or anything - we're truly gobsmacked, it's fantastic and we're very chuffed, very honoured."

He added: "Every band (on the short list) deserved it more than we did."
He told the audience his band's success came at a "fantastic" time in British music.

The Mercury Prize is the second award the band scooped last night, as they were earlier handed the GQ Band of the Year Award.

When asked what he was going to do next, singer Alex joked: "I'm going to phone me mam."

He added: "To get all this praise from contemporary people we look up to like 'producer' Brian Eno it's like Jim'll Fix It.

"The Glasgow music scene has always been fantastic, it just seems nowadays people have caught up with the fact.

"More than that it's fantastic the state of UK music, we are certainly surrounded by an unending stream of fantastic bands. We feel honoured to be among them."

Speaking about the band's early days when they used to play in a disused warehouse they dubbed the Chateau, Alex added: "When we got the band together we said we hoped to sell just 500 singles."

But now the singer and fellow band mates Bob Hardy, bassist, Nicolas McCarthy, who plays guitars and drummer Paul Thomson look to have their future secured as the award is certain to generate thousands of extra sales of their eponymous album.

The Scottish band were named after the Austro/Hungarian Archduke whose murder sparked the First World War.

Alex said they would discuss what to do with the money but hinted they may give the cash away.

Asked how they would spend the winnings he said: "We've got different thoughts, we'd like to talk about it first. A lot of people deserve it more than us."

The band in unison said that if they had not have won they would have liked to have seen the Zutons take the award.

Scottish culture minister Frank McAveety praised the band.

The MSP said: "I am delighted that Franz Ferdinand has won the prestigious Mercury Music Prize. It illustrates the wealth of talent we have in Scotland."

Pete Wishart, MP and Scottish National Party culture spokesman, who attended the ceremony, added: "Scottish music is very much on the up just now and it was great seeing Snow Patrol and Belle & Sebastian joining Franz Ferdinand on the shortlist.

"I very much hope that Scottish popular music is given a further lift by this victory.

"The Mercury Award is a particular important accolade in that it recognises the musical contribution of the artist, and honours the best album of the last year by a UK or Irish act, chosen from a wide range of musical genres."

Franz Ferdinand were among 12 acts in the running for the prize, although the reputation of winning the award is traditionally more valuable than the money.

Other nominees included Joss Stone, Amy Winehouse, Keane and Belle and Sebastian, while British dance and urban music also had a strong showing, with Basement Jaxx, Jamelia and rapper Ty.

Northern Irish quartet Snow Patrol and 59-year-old British musician Robert Wyatt were also on the list as were Liverpool newcomers The Zutons and rapper Mike Skinner, alias The Streets.

The Nationwide Mercury prize, now in its 13th year, honours the best album of the year by a British or Irish band and is dubbed the Booker of the music world.
It is judged on talent and innovation rather than commercial sales and the winner can usually expect a surge in sales and publicity.

Last year's winner, garage star Dizzee Rascal, otherwise known as Dillon Mills, announced this year's winner.

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