'Where we're from, it just doesn't happen'

Mercury Prize winners English Teacher formed in 2020 after meeting at Leeds Conservatoire

In the aftermath of their 2024 Mercury Prize win with their debut album This Could Be Texas, Leeds band English Teacher said such recognition "just doesn't happen" to musicians like them.

But according to other members of the Leeds music scene, the win could not have happened to a more gifted, hard-working and supportive group of young artists.

Formed during the Covid pandemic, English Teacher had already performed for several years in their previous band, Frank, after first meeting at Leeds Conservatoire.

They gigged at local venues such as the Hyde Park Book Club and The Brudenell Social Club, with Nathan Clark, the owner of the Brudenell, even earning a name-check in the band's acceptance speech on Thursday night.

Mr Clark told the BBC that English Teacher winning the prestigious music prize had shown all their hard work had been worth it.

He said it had taken the four musicians "a couple of years of blossoming to become the band and artists they are, coming through the local scene, learning their craft and making their debut album what it is now".

English Teacher are (L-R): Douglas Frost, Lily Fontaine, Nicholas Eden and Lewis Whiting

Made up of Lily Fontaine (vocals, rhythm guitar, synth), Douglas Frost (drums), Nicholas Eden (bass) and Lewis Whiting (lead guitar, synth), English Teacher have become the first band in a decade who were not from London to win the Mercury Prize.

Mr Clark said that was something he hoped would be "inspirational" for other young musicians from towns and cities everywhere.

"It’s not just important for Leeds, it's also inspirational for artists that, essentially through hard work, can show there is a pathway and that there are platforms to achieve success and recognition for the work they put in.

"It's a signal that people can achieve from wherever. They don't have to be from London."

Mr Clark added: "It's great to champion our local scene. I would say, let’s champion all the people from Leeds this can inspire."

Ilkley's Cow and Calf rocks feature on the album's cover

English Teacher were actually one of three acts from West Yorkshire on the Mercury Prize shortlist this year, alongside jungle artist Nia Archives and singer-songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae.

As well as thanking The Brudenell and Hyde Park Book Club venues, the band's members also name-checked a local landmark, the Cow and Calf rocks in Ilkley, which appeared on their album cover which was created by singer Lily's mother.

Speaking to the BBC's Colin Pattinson after their Mercury win, Lily said: "Where we come from, it just doesn't happen. You don't start a band thinking this is going to happen.

"So, it is a dream realised. I think that's why it means a lot.

"Me and Lewis particularly are from the north of England, towns you wouldn't associate music scenes with them."

Lily is from Colne while Lewis is from Kirkham, both in Lancashire.

"No-one has probably heard of them and now they will do, and that's kind of cool," Lily said.

English Teacher performed at Live at Leeds in the City earlier this year

An early champion of English Teacher's music was Emily Pilbeam, BBC Introducing's presenter in Leeds.

She said it had been a "real honour" to see the band's journey over the past four or five years.

"To just see them rise and rise has been genuinely a real privilege of mine," she said.

"We are all so proud of them and we are so proud of their journey with us on BBC Introducing."

Meanwhile, Toby Womack, from Leeds music promoters Futuresound, said in the aftermath of English Teacher's Mercury Prize win that the city was "an absolute hotspot for music" and that was only going to snowball.

"We are very lucky to live in a city with such a vibrant scene," he said.

"Something exciting is happening up here. It will hopefully give bands a bit of inspiration where they thought it was hopeless, it is absolutely not."

Lily Fontaine, English Teacher's singer, said the Mercury win was "a dream realised"

To be in the running for the Mercury Prize, artists submit themselves for the shortlist, making it impossible to know whether acts who did not make it were snubbed or simply did not participate.

The full list of Mercury Prize 2024 nominated albums:

• Barry Can’t Swim - When Will We Land?

• Berwyn - Who Am I?

• Beth Gibbons - Lives Outgrown

• Cat Burns - Early Twenties

• Charli XCX - Brat

• CMAT - Crazymad, For Me

• Corinne Bailey Rae - Black Rainbows

• Corto.Alto - Bad With Names

• English Teacher - This Could Be Texas

• Ghetts - On Purpose, With Purpose

• Nia Archives - Silence Is Loud

• The Last Dinner Party - Prelude To Ecstasy

Last year's Mercury Prize was won by Ezra Collective, with their album Where I'm Meant To Be.

The quintet were the first jazz act to win the prize since its inception in 1992.

The victory propelled their album back into the Top 40.

In November, the band will become the first jazz act ever to headline at Wembley Arena.

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