Originally written by Mike Diver · 11 January 2006
So Brits fever is beginning to spread across England and Wales like some kind of pubic infestation, but over in Ireland they folks don't give so much as a fuck. Y'see, they've their own prize to discuss down the boozer.
The Choice Music Prize is the country's version of our Mercury, sort of: basically, it recognises the 'finest' albums from Irish artists of the last 12 months and then awards a gong, or something, to a winner at some ceremony or other. Like, whoa. Nominations run as follows:
Bell X1 - Flock (Universal/Island)
Cane 141 - _Moonpool _(Exceptional)
The Chalets - Check-In (Setanta)
Joe Chester - _A Murder of Crows _(Barp)
Duke Special - _Adventures In Gramophone _(Hag)
Julie Feeney - _13 Songs _(Self-released)
Hal - _Hal _(Rough Trade)
Nick Kelly - _Running Dog _(Self Possessed)
Emmett Tinley -_ Attic Faith _(Independent Records)
Turn - _Turn _(Setanta)
The awards bash is on February 28th in Dublin. I'm sure I speak for many a DiS reader and writer alike when I wish The Chalets (pictured) all the very best of luck.