English Teacher to “continue to be honest” about artists’ struggles after Mercury Prize win
nme.comEnglish Teacher have spoken to NME about their historic win at the 2024 Mercury Prize, sharing how still strive to use their platform to help fight for a fairer world for artists across the UK.The Leeds band and former NME Cover stars – comprised of vocalist Lily Fontaine, guitarist Lewis Whiting, drummer Douglas Frost, and bassist Nicholas Eden – got fans talking when they took home the victory last night (September 5) for their acclaimed debut ‘This Could Be Texas’ – beating off tough competition from the likes of Charli XCX, CMAT, Ghetts, The Last Dinner Party, Corinne Bailey Rae, Beth Gibbons, Barry Can’t Swim and more.Theirs was the first Mercury Prize win by a non-London act since Edinburgh’s Young Fathers won in 2014.Speaking to NME at the Abbey Roads Studio ceremony, the band opened up about how they were not expecting such high praise for the album, as well as recalling what the victory meant to them.“The response to the album has been incredible, we did not expect it at all.
We were actually very worried about it and expecting the opposite, so it’s been surreal,” explained Frost. “I feel like it’s going to take me a long long time for this to sink in.
As soon as it was announced, my whole body just shut down.”Vocalist Lily Fontaine agreed, describing the occasion as “the best day of my life, including my wedding and my funeral”, while Whiting added that, going forward, “It’ll take a lot to top this”.A post shared by NME (@nmemagazine)Recalling the band’s victory speech –which saw them emotionally thank family and friends alongside the Leeds music scene and local venue the Brudenell Social Club – Whiting shared: “That was classic English Teacher stuff.
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