King fae Fife shortlisted for Mercury Prize

Published on Tuesday 19 July 2011 14:41

Scots singer-songwriter King Creosote has been shortlisted for one of the music industry's top awards.

The veteran singer, real name Kenny Anderson, from Crail in Fife will go up against such big names as Elbow, PJ Harvey and Adele for the prestigious Barclaycard Mercury Prize.

His nominated album, Diamond Mine, a collaboration with ambient artist Jon Hopkins, is a collection of acoustic songs woven with field sound recordings from around Fife to create a "soundtrack to a romanticised version of a life lived in a Scottish coastal village".

Mr Anderson, who started recording under the King Creosote name in 1995, is also the co-founder of Fife's Fence Collective, Fence Records and Fence Homegame festival.

Speaking last night from the US, where he is currently on tour, said that both he and his collaborator were "chuffed" at the news: "We woke up in Fremont, Indiana, to this incredible piece of news, precisely six hours after every other person on the planet knew about it.

"The Fifer in me thinks 'If only the US phone billing system had a Mercury discount in place, today'd be perfect"."

Following the announcement, Adele and PJ Harvey were named as the early joint favourites at 4-1 by bookmaker William Hill.

It is the second time Adele has been up for the prize, with her debut 19 missing out on the prize in 2008 to Elbow's The Seldom Seen Kid.

PJ Harvey was previously awarded the prize in 2001 for Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea on the night of 9/11.

She is in the running this year for her acclaimed eighth album Let England Shake, which was inspired by recent international conflicts.

Gennaro Castaldo, of retail chain HMV, said the effect of inclusion on the shortlist could not be overestimated: "Because it's widely viewed as being such a credible award, the Mercury Prize can shine a very bright on the nominees and on new talent in particular," he said.

The Nominees

Ana Calvi: Ana Calvi

Elbow: Build A Rocket Boys!

James Blake: James Blake

Katy B: On A Mission

Metronomy: The English Riviera

PJ Harvey: Let England Shake

Gwilym Simcock: Good Days At Schloss Elmau

Tinie Tempah: Disc-Overy

Everything Everything: Man Alive

Ghostpoet: Peanutbutter and Melancholy Blues

King Creosote & Jon Hopkins: Diamond Mine

Adele: 21