The Manic Street Preachers and Gruff Rhys are the biggest names to be included on the shortlist for the first Welsh Music Prize, which aims to highlight the best music the country has to offer.
The Manics are nominated for their 2010 album ‘Postcards From a Young Man‘, while Gruff Rhys receives a nod for his typically eclectic ‘Hotel Shampoo‘ record.
Radio 1 DJ Huw Stevens has co-organised the prize-giving, and has emphasised the quality of acts which comprise the maiden rundown.
“We are very pleased to launch the Welsh Music Prize with twelve strong albums from Welsh artists,” he said. “The shortlist is but a reflection on the quality music made in Wales and released internationally. We hope the Prize brings these collections of work to a new audience, and we are looking forward to announcing an overall winner on October 21st.”
The winner is set to be announced during Cardiff’s SWN Festival next month.
Shortlist:
Al Lewis – In The Wake [Al Lewis Music]
Colorama – Box [See Monkey Do Monkey Records]
Funeral For A Friend – Welcome Home Armageddon [Distiller Records]
Gruff Rhys – Hotel Shampoo [Turnstile Music]
Lleuwen – Tan [Gwymon]
Manic Street Preachers – Postcards from a Young Man [Columbia]
Stagga – The Warm Air Room [Rag and Bone]
Sweet Baboo – I’m a Dancer/Songs About Sleepin’ [Shape Records]
The Blackout – Hope [Cooking Vinyl]
The Gentle Good – Tethered for the Storm [Gwymon]
The Joy Formidable – Big Roar [Atlantic]
Y Niwl – Y Niwl [Aderyn Papur]
