Putney three-piece The xx bag Mercury nomination (From Your Local Guardian)

Putney three-piece The XX bag Mercury Music Prize nomination

10:30am Wednesday 28th July 2010 in Wandsworth By Ian Mason

Products of a Putney school, The xx, have continued its tradition of musical success by landing a nomination for the coveted Mercury Music Prize.

The trio, who met when studying at Elliott School, in Pullman Gardens, are hotly tipped to bag the top honour when the winner is announced on September 7.

Bookmaker William Hill initially had the three-piece - Jamie Smith, Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim - as joint favourite along with Dizzee Rascal at 4/1 but a surge of bets for the band saw their odds shortened to 15/8.

The xx is up against music legend Paul Weller as well as Mumford and Sons, Foals and Biffy Clyro.

At the nomination ceremony, Oliver told Absolute Radio: “I think we’re in the company of so many great musicians that I wouldn’t feel particularly sore if we didn’t get it - there are so many great acts but it would be incredible.”

Jamie added: “It feels incredible, we didn’t expect anything, everything since we finished the album has been a great surprise and this is just the icing on the cake.”

Other notable Elliott School alumni include Hot Chip, Burial and Four Tet.

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