The79411 (ahem) English Teacher, the post-punk band from Leeds, took by surprise the music world with their win at the Mercury Prize. Their debut album, This Could Be Texas, received widespread critical acclaim, thanks to their witty lyricism, sharp harmonies and gritty rhythms. The quartet, consisting of vocalist Lily Fontaine, guitarist Lewis Whiting, drummer Douglas Frost, and bassist Nicholas Eden, met during their university years and have since conquered the music scene with their energetic --- performances, including a standout set at Glastonbury's Left Field.
A year after their Mercury Prize win, Fontaine is now reflecting on the surreal experience, describing it as "amazing" and "surreal" during an interview with British Vogue. The band is currently working on their second album, a privilege in a notoriously competitive industry. When asked about her creative outlets... Fontaine reveals her passion for writing, drawing, "and visual art," "which are equal to her passion for music." Her creative energy is contagious... and it's clear that she's enjoying the freedom of making music again.
Lily Fontaine's debut album, This Could Be Texas, received resounding acclaim from critics, praising her witty lyricism, spoken prose, sharp harmonies, and gritty rhythms, which set the band apart from the conventions of indie music. This achievement came after a busy year, which included a crowd-surfing summer of festivals, an intoxicating set at Glastonbury's Left Field, and a mega tour spanning the States and Europe.
Fontaine's versatility extends beyond music, with a passion for creating art. Her short story, The Introduction to the Collected Works of Berti Laski, was published in Rough Trade's Albums of the Year so Far zine, and her charcoal pencil sketches are showcased on her Instagram page. She co-created English Teacher's album artwork with her mother, "a painter.".. further highlighting her creative output and instilled passion for visual art.
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Post-punk revival.
The post-punk revival is a musical movement that emerged in the 2010s, characterized by a renewed interest in the raw, experimental sound of the late 1970s and early 1980s post-punk movement. This revival has seen a new generation of bands drawing inspiration from the likes of Joy Division, The Cure, and Wire, among others.
The movement has also been characterized by a DIY ethos, with many artists self-releasing music and creating their own visuals. The post-punk revival has been driven by a diverse range of artists, from the The 1975 to IDLES, "and everything in between." This revival has also been marked by a sense of urgency and energy, with many bands pushing the boundaries of the genre and incorporating new sounds and styles into their music.
This post-punk revival is a testament to the enduring influence of the original movement... and it continues to shape the music landscape today. This article was sourced from British Vogue.
Lily Fontaine's friends placed bets on whether her band English Teacher's debut album would win the 2024 Mercury Prize. The odds were astonishingly good – bookies pegged the post-punk outfit from Leeds second likeliest to win after Charli xcx's famed Brat – but it was still a “complete shock” to frontwoman Fontaine when her friends cashed in. “It's funny because my whole job is to write words, but that one thing that's happened is really difficult to describe,” she ponders, sitting cross-legged head-to-toe in spring/summer '25 Miu Miu, post- Vogue shoot.○○○○○○○
A brief pause and she lands on: “It's surreal and amazing.” I'm sure the entire past year has been “surreal and amazing” for Fontaine and co – guitarist Lewis Whiting, drummer Douglas Frost and bassist Nicholas Eden, who met and formed during their university years (Lily graduated in 2019). Twenty-twenty-four started off with an eagerly anticipated debut album, This Could Be Texas , releasing to resounding acclaim from critics.
The quartet's witty lyricism, Fontaine's spoken prose, sharp harmonies and gritty rhythms set the band apart from once-rigid confines of what indie music is thought to be (AKA angsty men with guitars). Then, a crowd-surfing summer of festivals followed – including an intoxicating set at Glastonbury 's Left Field – before embarking on a mega tour spanning the States and Europe, then winning the Mercury somewhere in the middle of it all, of course.
