Mirel Wagner is the winner of the 2014 Phonofile Nordic Music Prize for her album When The Cellar Children See The Light Of Day.
The Phonofile Nordic Music Prize is an annual award for the Best Nordic Album Of The Year, awarded during by:Larm conference in Norway.
Wagner picked up the prize last Thursday (March 5) after it was voted on by the international jury, consisting of Laurence Bell (Domino Records), Jeannette Lee (Rough Trade Records), Jonathan Galkin (DFA Records), Jude Rogers (The Guardian) and Andres Lokko (SVD).
The jury said in a statement: “This album showcases a strong, intense new voice that feels like it’s coming from somewhere deep and true. As a set of restrained and alluring short stories, gorgeously sung and played, this record keeps pulling you back into its world. And, please, don’t be scared by the title!”
It was the first time a Finnish album has received the award, breaking Sweden’s dominance for the last three years. Previous winners of the prize include Jónsi (2010), Goran Kajfeš (2011) , First Aid Kit (2012) and The Knife (2015).
Mirel Wagner takes homes 30,000 NOK (€3,500) sponsored by GramArt as part of the award.
The runners up in 2014 were Selvhenter (DK) – Motions of Large Bodies and Iceage (DK) – Plowing Into The Field Of Love.
The winner and runners up were selected from a group of 12 nominees:
- Mirel Wagner (FI) – When the Cellar Children See the Light of Day
- Selvhenter (DK) – Motions of Large Bodies
- Iceage (DK) – Plowing Into the Field of Love
- Emilie Nicolas (NO) – Like I’m a Warrior
- Gracias (FI) – Elengi
- Lorentz (SE) – Kärlekslåtar
- Lykke Li (SE) – I Never Learn
- Neneh Cherry (SE) – Blank Project
- MØ (DK) – No Mythologies to Follow
- Pink Street Boys (ICE) – Trash From the Boys
- Prinspóló (ICE) – Sorrí
- Todd Terje (NO) – It’s Album Time
Phonofile Nordic Music Prize is organized by Phonofile, by:Larm, GramArt, Music Norway, Oslo Business Region and the Norwegian Minsitry of Foreign Affairs.Music Business Worldwide
