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Alt-J have said they can't quite believe they've bagged three nominations for this year's BRIT Awards, putting them level with Emeli Sande and Mumford & Sons.
The band's debut album, An Awesome Wave, won the 2012 Mrcury Prize, but it is unusual to see such cerebral and quirky music chosen for the BRITs, and even more so considering they're signed to an independent record label.
"The Mercury ticks the box for the highbrow critical acclaim but the BRITs is more popular," says keyboardist Gus Unger-Hamilton, speaking to The Sun. "Getting three nominations is crazy. I can't believe we're on that level.
"It's mad. We're always at these awards shows and feel like we're not supposed to be there, like we've snuck in."
Alt-J are nominated for Best British Group, Best Album Of The Year and Best british Breakthrough Act. The band also revealed they've been fans of the awards since an early age.
"I recall watching the ceremony from a very young age and always getting excited about it," Gus remembers.
"In 2001 Eminem performed with some kind of chainsaw and he was wearing a hockey mask. We were watching at school and thought it was the coolest thing ever."
Speaking about their nominations he added: "I'd love to win British Group, because I'd be super proud with The xx and Mumford & Sons also on the list.
"Album Of The Year would be nice because we are an album kind of band, but British Group would be amazing. We could retire happy after that."
Alt-J say they're shocked to have been nominated for three BRITs
The keyboardist also said they were starting to think about their next album, although they need to get touring out of the way.
"Once we finish touring, we'll start working on it. It will be a hard act to follow after wining the Mercury.
"But equally we will have an audience for the second record whatever happens."
Alt-J kick off 2013 with headline gig at Shepherds Bush Empire
