Ezra Collective on representing cool jazz at the Mercury Prize 2023

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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]

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