More about: Alt-J
Award favourites say they are trying not to think about it too much
Alt-J have spoken about their chances of gaining a Mercury Music Prize nomination this year.
Their 2012 debut album 'An Awesome Wave' has been picking up rave reviews for its unique folk-meets-drum 'n' bass sound.
As a result, bookmakers Paddy Power have named Alt-J as the favourites to win the prize with odds slashed to 4/6.
But speaking to BBC Radio 1's Newsbeat, the Cambridge-based four piece say they are trying not thinking about a potential nomination too much.
"It's in the back of our minds but we're not thinking about it," bassist Gwil Sainsbury said backstage at Leeds Festival this weekend.
Keyboardist Gus Unger-Hamilton jokingly added: "That would be it. I could leave the band with a Mercury nomination."
He continued: "Not many albums get nominated compared to the number which come out. It would be incredible."
Bright Light Bright Light is second favourite at 6/1, with Sweet Billy Pilgrim, Django Django, Richard Hawley, Florence & The Machine and The Maccabees all joint third favourites at 12/1.
Nominees for the 2012 Mercury Music Prize will be announced on Wednesday 12 September, with the winner announced at the final ceremony on Thursday 1 November.
Below: who else is being tipped for a Mercury nomination?
Alt-J ''An Awesome Wave'' - 4/6
Jessie Ware ''Devotion'' - 10/1
Spiritualized 'Sweet Heart Sweet Light' - 25/1
Bombay Bicycle Club ''A Different Kind Of Fix'' - 22/1
Graham Coxon 'A+E' - 33/1
Richard Hawley ''Standing At The Sky''s Edge'' - 12/1
Rustie ''Glass Swords'' - 20/1
Rumer 'Boys Don’t Cry' - 20/1
Tindersticks 'The Something Rain' - 40/1
Django Django ''Django Django'' - 7/1
Lianne La Havas ''Is Your Love Big Enough'' - 16/1
The 2 Bears ''Be Strong'' - 33/1
Emeli Sande ''Our Version Of Events'' - 16/1
June Tabor & Oysterband 'Ragged Kingdom' - 25/1
Maverick Sabre 'Lonely Are The Brave' - 50/1
The Maccabees ''Given To The Wild'' - 12/1
Ed Sheeran '+' - 25/1
Labrinth 'Electronic Earth' - 50/1
Kindness 'World, You Need A Change Of Mind' - 25/1
Rizzle Kicks 'Stereo Typical' - 80/1
Coldplay 'Mylo Xyloto' - 20/1
Marina & The Diamonds 'Electra Heart' - 100/1
Kate Bush '50 Words For Snow' - 20/1
Laura Marling ''A Creature I Don''t Know'' - 16/1
The Ting Tings 'Songs From Nowheresville' - 150/1
Michael Kiwanuka ''Home Again'' - 16/1
Bright Light Bright Light 'Make Me Believe In Hope' - 16/1
More about: Alt-J
