An English professor talks about her Mercury Prize nomination and her ‘competition’ with Beyoncé

The English teacher spoke ZikNation About their Mercury Prize nomination, their “competition” with Beyoncé and the progress of their second album.

Independent newcomers Leeds received a Mercury endorsement yesterday (Thursday July 25). ZikNation The cover stars’ acclaimed debut album, ‘This Could Be Texas’, charted alongside records by Charli XCX, CMAT, Ghetts, The Last Dinner Party, Corinne Bailey Rae, Beth Gibbons, Barry Can’t Swim and more.

Ask through ZikNation Speaking about being nominated, singer Lily Fontaine described it as “crazy” and called this year’s nominations “the best year yet”. Not just because we’re in it! »

Asked what “This Could Be Texas” says about life in 2024, guitarist Lewis Whiting said it aims to capture the idea that “places that are often far apart are often the same.”

For a group vocal about how difficult it is for artists to survive and thrive in the current climate, the English teacher said the honor was profound.

“There are so many temptations not to pursue music because you physically can’t,” Fontaine admits. “We had to do a lot of things to make the album. It was paid in a different, culturally recognized way, so it’s worth persevering in difficult times. »

While the £25,000 prize money will be spent on recording equipment (and not “drugs” as they joked as part of their ‘broad’ summer), the band revealed that work on their next album is well advanced.

“One of the songs we’ve written is actually better than the whole album,” Fontaine admitted, before Whiting added: “We’re in the middle of the album now. We’re just getting into it. »

“I feel like we’re still in the early stages. Hard to say. We’re still figuring this out, but we’re getting started. »

After seeing “This Could Be Texas” rival Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” as the highest-rated album of 2024, will the next record knock her off the top spot?

“That’s the point, isn’t it? That’s all we’re thinking about as we approach the second album!” jokes Whiting. “The fantasy: starting some kind of rivalry with Beyonce! »

Fontaine responded, “I don’t think it’s a good idea. I think we should leave Beyoncé alone. We should go on record saying I love Beyoncé. We’ll have to wait for the title of her next album and see if we can continue this momentum.”

The band have revealed some big plans for their UK tour later this year, but before then you can catch them in Leeds Millennium Square next week supporting their local heroes Yard Act.

“It’s going to be fantastic,” Fontaine added. “This place is huge. It’s in Leeds, it’s big and outside, so it’s going to be amazing. Especially after this, it’s going to be a great opportunity to celebrate the place that helped us get here. »

The winner of the 2024 Mercury Prize will be announced in September and will begin the English Teacher Tour in November. Click here to buy tickets and get more information.