Kiesza, Ex Hex among nominees for inaugural American Music Prize

This year will see the first American Music Prize take place, with an initial long list of artists

The initial long list for the first American Music Prize has been announced, with Kiesza, Ex Hex and Twin Peaks among the artists up for the award.

It’s not the final list of nominees - all US albums released between 1st August 2014 and 31st July 2015 are eligible - so a further list will be announced in late August, with the prize itself following in September.

Those already given the nod are:

Benjamin Booker - ‘Benjamin Booker’
Haerts - ‘Haerts’
Big Quis - ‘My Turn’
Caroline Rose - ‘I Will Not Be Afraid’
Ex Hex - ‘Rips’
Kiesza - ‘Sound of a Woman’*
Larkin Poe - ‘Kin’
Mick Jenkins - ‘The Water(s)’
Twin Peaks ‘Wild Onions’

(*Yes, we know Kiesza is Canadian)

The award also boasts no entry fee - though need to sell at least 1,000 copies - and a suitably starred-and-striped website.