Snow Patrol's Final Straw and Simple Kid's SK1 have both been nominated for the 2004 Shortlist Music Prize, America's equivalent to the Mercury which was won last year by Damien Rice's O.
Worth $10,000 in cash and millions in publicity, the Shortlist judging panel includes such heavyweights as Massive Attack's 3D, Jack Black, Jim Jarmusch, Josh Homme, John Mayer, Norah Jones, Perry Farrell, The Dixie Chicks and Robert Smith.
Other nominees include Air, Belle & Sebastian, David Bowie, Dizzee Rascal and Franz Ferdinand who, as with the Mercury Music Prize, have been installed as early favourites.
Staying with Snow Patrol and it's "well done" to Gary & Co. for finally making it to the Billboard 200. It's number 194 placing mightn't sound overly impressive, but it's more or less the same position Franz Ferdinand and Damien Rice debuted at before going on to crack the States. And it's earned them a coveted Late Night With David Letterman slot on 2nd September at 11.30pm ET/PT.
The drinks when you play the Ambassador in November, boys, are on you!