Savages Comment On Mercury Nomination

"I wish for our nomination to send the right signals."

Savages singer Jehnny Beth has penned a note concerning the band's nomination for this year's Barclaycard Mercury Prize.

A perennial bugbear with musicians, the issue of awards has again raised its ugly head. The shortlist for this year's Barclaycard Mercury Prize caused no end of speculation, while Godpeed You! Black Emperor's response to winning the Polaris Prize in Canada created international coverage.

Savages were nominated for the Barclaycard Mercury Prize, and over the weekend singer Jehnny Beth gathered her thoughts. Writing a note to fans, she mused on the nature of the prize itself and what she hoped debut album 'Silence Yourself' stood for.

"If anything, this nomination doesn’t make me feel totally uncomfortable. But if there is a lesson I am taking from this, and maybe you will care for it too, it is this one : whatever happens, do whatever the fuck you want. Being nominated or not doesn’t make you a better band, it doesn’t change anything, musicians of our generation don’t earn millions the way they used to in the past, we simply don’t have anything to loose. I wish above all for young artists today to keep their determination intact, because I know how hard it is to believe it is still possible to develop yourself with artistic integrity".

"I wish for our nomination to send the right signals. ‘Do whatever the fuck you want’ is the positive message, the new mantra. Impose yourself, they will get used to it. Times are changing. The letter published by ‘Godspeed You! Black Emperor’ following their Polaris music Award is setting an inspirational example for the young generation that we are. It is possible for artists to develop themselves the way they feel it should be done, without being afraid, and without compromising what they truly are."

Read the full note HERE.

Clash online editor Mike Diver recently wrote a piece expanding on the controversy around this year's Barclaycard Mercury Prize shortlist – catch up HERE.

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