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On the Mercury Prize, Radiohead + what he's listening to
It's been a big day for Shaun Keaveny. He awoke to announce the news that his BBC 6 Music Breakfast show now attracts 1million listeners each day, before he took to the stage to announce the shortlist for the 2016 Mercury Prize - honouring a number of his favourites, from David Bowie to Savages via Radiohead and Bat For Lashes.
We caught up with Shaun for a quick chat to discuss what the Mercury Prize means, the health of UK music, why Radiohead matter, what he's been listening to and how his children are his golden ticket to a millionaire future...
How representative would you say this shortlist is of UK music in 2016?
"As usual, it just proves what a kaleidoscope of stuff comes out of the British music scene every year. That's what the Mercury Prize is very good at representing. At the one end, you've got the return to grime, then you've got the artists that have been there before like Bat For Lashes and Radiohead. It's all in rude health, as per usual."
I think it's refreshing to see The 1975 in there and have pop taken seriously...
"That's it, yeah. We do pop as well as we do rock and everything else. This list reflects all that we're good at."
MORE: The 1975 talk Mercury, Bowie and Taylor Swift
Any albums not on the list that you wish were?
"That is a very good question. That is too hard a question to answer, actually. I'm just so happy that Radiohead are on there again. I'm a colossal Radiohead fan. A Moon Shaped Pool is a masterpiece. They've been nominated four times. They're probably not particularly concerned, but I am. I'm worried about their self-esteem if they did get it this time round."
They should have got it for In Rainbows, it's their best album..
."It's an incredible piece of music, isn't it?"
Any albums due out this year that you're looking forward to?
"You're asking me too many hard questions here, Andrew. You do know I'm a breakfast show host and I've been up since 5am? I just sit there and reactively wonder how these people manage to pump this stuff out on a regular basis. I've heard a couple of tracks from Ed Harcourt's new album and they're incredible. He's always a very entertaining person to listen to. He's a cage fighter, so even if his album was terrible you wouldn't tell him."
What are your plans for the rest of the summer?
"Taking the kids to Camp Bestival nearly finished me off, so lying down in a dark room is what I've got planned for the rest of the summer."
Are you going to let your children graduate to the big Bestival one day?
"It's difficult, isn't it? At what age is that appropriate? Maybe I'll take them to Glastonbury when they both turn double figures. Let them see the true English darkness of the Somerset summer."
Do you force BBC 6 Music on your kids?
"Constantly. They humour a parent for a certain amount of time, then they just move on to what their friends are listening to. Right now it's One Republic - fortunately or unfortunately, depending on who's listening. Who sings that one that goes 'there's a tear in my hee-aart'?"
Twenty One Pilots?
"Yeah. My son is drumming along to that at the moment. I want him to make a career of it so he can buy me a house. Or at least a studio flat in East Finchley."
- The winner of the Mercury Prize will be announced at London's Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith on Thursday 15 September
With the news of a Chris Moyles resurrection and a rebranded Xfm, we thought it'd be an apt time to reflect on all the amazing UK voices on the airwaves right now. These radio presenters work tireless days and nights finding reliable, entertaining and accessible ways of getting new and amazing music of all genres into your ears. Here are 10 incredible UK voices on the radio right now.
Shaun Keaveny: Unapologetic silliness and the best new music to wake you up, Shaun Keaveny's Breakfast Show on BBC 6Music is the best way to start the day. You'll laugh and learn as he, and radio side-kick/Menswear drummer Matt Everitt, run through the morning's latest music news and tracks.
Julie Adenuga: After working at a few small time London based stations as well as an Apple Store, Julie Adenuga hit the big time claiming a slot as one of the lead DJs on Apple's Beats 1. Her encyclopaedic knowledge of grime and the UK urban scene has paved the way for Adenuga's influential streak, it also doesn't hurt that her brothers are JME and Skepta.
Tom Ravenscroft: The son of legendary music fan and taste-maker, John Peel, Tom Ravenscroft follows in the example his father set by never shying away from the experimental and left-field. His 6Music show is an amazing way to get to know bands new and old that may have slipped under your radar - it's a show presented by a music fan, for music fans.
Annie Mac: Quickly becoming one of the most celebrated presenter/DJs in the country, Annie Mac has really pulled it out of the bag replacing Zane Lowe's slot on weekday nights. Her passion is obvious and the range of music is refreshing, if you're interested, her lesser-known Musical Hot Water Bottle is definitely worth looking up if you're into down-tempo electronic music.
Steve Lamacq: The man is a national treasure, to be honest. Lamacq has been holding down the new music frontier for decades now, from his early NME days to his weekly 6Music review show, you can always rely on Steve to be honest and discerning when it comes to discovering new, amazing music.
MistaJam: For nearly a decade, MistaJam has been the curator of wild Saturday nights on BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra. Playing a vast mix of dance, reggae, UK funky, dubstep and everything in between, Pete Dalton has mastered the logistics of party music so you don't have to.
Jarvis Cocker: Who better to tastemake the airwaves than someone who's been a crucial part of the industry for the majority of their life? Jarvis' Sunday Service of 6music covers a wide variety of genres and styles of music, all narrated by the Pulp frontman's dulcet tones.
John Kennedy: The longest serving Xfm DJ since the station began. Kennedy has been hosting the new music show, Xposure, since and is responsible for the rise of countless big name acts. Under-appreciated and shadowed by the BBC, John Kennedy is an invaluable voice on the airwaves.
Maz Tappuni: The presenter of Communion Presents on Sunday nights on Xfm, the show is embedded in the Mumford associated Communion label and works to share and give a platform to the artists whom they love. It's a community based show hosted by a station and presenter with a range outside of that community.
Huw Stevens: The youngest presenter to get a show on Radio 1, Huw Stevens in the popular media's forerunner for new music. Between curating BBC Introducing, daytime presenting, nighttime presenting, running various record labels and being the face of Welsh music, Stevens has become the go-to tastemaker for new music in the UK.
Issue Four of the Gigwise Print magazine is on pre-order now! Order here.
More about: Mercury Prize
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