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00:00 Good morning Ezra Collective.
00:01 - How's it going, you all right?
00:02 - I'm pretty good, you guys look,
00:04 arguably the best dressed at the Mercury Prize launch so far.
00:06 - So far, it's 'cause we're first out.
00:08 No, I'm joking.
00:09 (laughing)
00:10 I'm joking, no, we put in a lot of effort,
00:12 you know what I mean?
00:13 We're proud of this moment, we're enjoying it and stuff,
00:15 so yeah, thank you.
00:16 - Your album's called "Where I'm Meant to Be"
00:17 and where you're meant to be is here at the Mercury Prize.
00:20 How does it feel?
00:21 - Yeah, we're very, very proud, we're very, very grateful,
00:24 and it's just great to be all together
00:25 and just celebrate this achievement
00:27 of so many people that worked on this record,
00:29 so it means a lot to us.
00:30 - Well, each shortlisted record always says something
00:33 about the year we've just had.
00:34 I mean, what kind of energy would you say
00:35 that you guys were trying to capture on this album?
00:37 - I think for us, we were, like I've been saying,
00:39 like it's like a lockdown project.
00:41 We made it in the lockdown and then it came out
00:44 and that was almost like our release back into the world,
00:46 and for us, it's a real emotion of gratefulness,
00:49 like tomorrow's not promised.
00:51 We learned that in a big way in the lockdown,
00:53 so to be back on stage,
00:54 to be back with the man them playing every single weekend,
00:57 it's a very, very special and beautiful feeling,
00:59 so we're just kind of enjoying that journey, really.
01:02 - Sweet, and what do you think the shortlist as a whole
01:04 says about music in 2023?
01:06 - I think it says a lot of great things.
01:08 I like the diversity that's present on the shortlist.
01:10 I think that's very, very beautiful.
01:12 I like the diversity in ages as well.
01:15 It's not just all one age group and stuff,
01:17 and I'm very proud to be considered
01:21 amongst all of these great acts.
01:23 We're so proud to be considered amongst a music scene
01:27 this strong and this vibrant, so it does mean a lot to us.
01:30 - What do you make of your chances?
01:32 - Ah, fam, do you know what I've been saying?
01:34 We feel like winners already, do you know what I'm saying?
01:36 Yeah, one in 12. (laughs)
01:39 - Good answer.
01:40 - That's a good diplomatic answer.
01:42 If you were betting, man, who would your money be on,
01:45 other than yourselves, of course?
01:46 - That's a good question.
01:48 I need another look at the nominee.
01:50 Do you know what?
01:51 If I'm gonna bet, I'm gonna bet on Loyal Karner,
01:53 because he's a lovely guy and his album was incredible,
01:56 and he's a great performer as well,
01:58 so that's who we would bet on.
01:59 - Sweet.
02:00 And what can you tell us about the rest of 2023?
02:02 What does this year have in store for you?
02:03 - We're playing a lot of shows,
02:04 which is really, really exciting.
02:06 We're spending a lot of time together.
02:07 Well, some announced, some not announced.
02:09 We're in the middle of a really wonderful festival period,
02:12 so enjoying just bouncing around fields
02:14 and giving it our all in 60 minutes.
02:16 So yeah, that's kind of the vibe
02:18 and just seeing what happens, really.
02:20 - Where can we see you next?
02:21 - We're gonna be in the Royal Albert Hall.
02:23 That's the next one of the shows coming up,
02:25 and I'm looking really forward to that one.
02:27 That'll be special.
02:28 It's a beautiful building,
02:29 and mum and dad's gonna be there, so it'll be great.
02:31 - I was literally about to say,
02:32 "Roy, your mum's coming."
02:33 - Yeah, yeah, when there's seats,
02:35 then our parents come, do you know what I'm saying?
02:36 - Top and tails.
02:37 - Yeah, you know, we might dress up.
02:39 We might even just wear these clothes again, so yeah.
02:41 - Yeah, get your money's worth.
02:42 - Exactly, you said we looked good.
02:44 - Sweet.
02:45 Ezra Collective, congrats.
02:45 - Thank you so much.
02:46 (silence)
02:48 [BLANK_AUDIO]