English Teacher: Difference between revisions

{{About|the British band|the American TV series|English Teacher (TV series)}}{{Short description|British musical group}}

| image = English Teacher ESNS24.jpg

| landscape = yes

| label = {{hlist|[[Island Records|Island]]|Nice Swan Records}}

| website = {{url|englishteacherband.com}}

'''English Teacher''' are a British music group from Leeds and Lancashire, who formed in 2020.<ref name="Rolling Stone 2023-11-28">{{cite web |url=https://www.rollingstone.co.uk/music/features/meet-english-teacher-the-leeds-group-delivering-endlessly-inventive-guitar-music-35087/ |title=Meet English Teacher, the Leeds group delivering endlessly inventive guitar music |last=Reilly |first=Nick |date=28 November 2023 |website=rollingstone.co.uk |publisher=Rolling Stone |access-date=5 January 2024}}</ref> They consist of vocalist Lily Fontaine, guitarist Lewis Whiting, drummer Douglas Frost, and bassist Nicholas Eden.<ref name="english_teacher_paving">{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/features/the-cover/the-cover-english-teacher-the-worlds-biggest-paving-slab-3495785 |title=English Teacher: a vital voice from the heart of UK guitar music |last=Williams |first=Sophia |date=11 September 2023 |website=nme.com |publisher=[[NME Networks]] |access-date=3 December 2023}}</ref> In September 2024, the group were announced as winner of the Mercury Music Prize for their debut studio album "This Could Be Texas",<ref>{{Cite news |last=Snapes |first=Laura |date=2024-09-05 |title=Leeds indie band English Teacher win Mercury prize |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/article/2024/sep/05/leeds-indie-band-english-teacher-wins-mercury-prize |access-date=2024-09-27 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> released through Island Records.

==History==

The band met at [[Leeds Conservatoire]].<ref name="Leeds Conservatoire 2023-01-18">{{cite news |last=Cross |first=Gemma |url=https://www.leedsconservatoire.ac.uk/about-us/news/the-times-tips-graduate-band-english-teacher-as-2023-rising-star/ |title=he Times Tips Graduate Band English Teacher as 2023 Rising Star |work=Leeds Conservatoire |publisher=Leeds Conservatoire |date= 2023-01-18 |access-date=2024-08-05 }}</ref> They originally started as a [[dream pop]] band called 'Frank' in 2018 before playing their first gig as ''English Teacher'' in 2020. Frontwoman Lily Fontaine said of the shift: "The band that we were before, and the band that we are now, are so different. I think we've benefited from having time to figure ourselves out."<ref name="Loud and Quiet 2024-03-25">{{cite news |last=Goggins |first=Joe |url=https://www.loudandquiet.com/interview/english-teacher-we-boxed-ourselves-in-and-ended-up-having-a-bit-of-an-identity-crisis/ |title=English Teacher: "We boxed ourselves in, and ended up having a bit of an identity crisis" |work=Loud and Quiet |publisher=Loud and Quiet |date=2024-03-25 |access-date=2024-08-05 }}</ref>

The band's first single, 2021's "R&B", garnered both critical praise and mainstream radio play. The song sees Fontaine consider her place in the white, male world of indie-rock as a mixed race woman. They released the EP [[Polyawkward]] in April 2022 through Nice Swan Records.<ref>{{cite news |last=Graye |first=Megan |date=11 July 2022 |title=English Teacher: 'Surrealism just makes me feel something, because life is so weird' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/english-teacher-guitar-band-polyawkward-b2120132.html |work=Independent |access-date=5 January 2024}}</ref> NME called it " a deliciously sour debut EP, set to a soundtrack of restless art-punk."<ref name="NME 2022-04-22">{{cite news |last=Williams |first=Sophie |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/english-teacher-polyawkward-ep-review-nice-swan-radar-3209554 |title=English Teacher – 'Polyawkward' EP review: lively art-punk with a lyrical edge |work=NME |publisher=NME |date=2022-04-22 |access-date=2024-08-05 }}</ref> The band appeared on ''[[Later... with Jools Holland]]'' in November 2023.<ref name="Rolling Stone 2023-11-28" /> Their song "Nearly Daffodils" was named one of the 10 best songs of 2023 by ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine.<ref name="Time 2023-12-06">{{cite magazine |url=https://time.com/6340132/best-songs-2023/ |title=The 10 Best Songs of 2023|first=Maura|last=Johnston|author-link=Maura Johnston |magazine=Time |publisher=Time USA, LLC|date=2023-12-06 |access-date=2024-08-05 }}</ref>

In January 2024, the band announced their debut album ''[[This Could Be Texas]]'', which was released on 12 April through Island Records.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kelly |first=Tyler Damara |date=January 19, 2024 |title=English Teacher announce their debut album, ''This Could Be Texas'' |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/english-teacher-announce-their-debut-album-this-could-be-texas |access-date=23 January 2024 |work=The Line of Best Fit}}</ref> The album was well received by critics, winning the 2024 [[Mercury Prize]].<ref name="Guardian 2024-07-25">{{cite news |last=Snapes |first=Laura |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/article/2024/jul/25/mercury-prize-2024-charli-xcx-the-last-dinner-party-and-beth-gibbons-among-nominees |title=Mercury prize 2024: Charli xcx, the Last Dinner Party and Beth Gibbons among nominees |newspaper=The Guardian |date=2024-07-25 |access-date=2024-08-05 }}</ref><ref name="Guardian Mercury win 05-09-23">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/article/2024/sep/05/leeds-indie-band-english-teacher-wins-mercury-prize|title=Leeds indie band English Teacher wins Mercury prize|newspaper=The Guardian|first=Laura|last=Snapes|date=5 September 2024}}</ref> 2024 also saw English Teacher named Newcomer of the Year at the Northern Music Awards.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Skinner |first=Tom |date=2024-04-24 |title=Courteeners, English Teacher, Louis Tomlinson honoured at first ever Northern Music Awards |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/courteeners-english-teacher-louis-tomlinson-honoured-at-first-ever-northern-music-awards-3750149 |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref>

=== ''This Could Be Texas'' ===

English Teacher released their debut studio album, ''This Could Be Texas'', on 12 April 2024 through [[Island Records]]. The album received widespread critical acclaim. ''[[The Line of Best Fit]]'' suggested it "could be one of the finest debuts of the decade, with every band member shining in their ability and craftsmanship." It also lauded the band's "Northern charm".<ref name="The Line of Best Fit 2024-04-12">{{cite news |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/albums/english-teacher-this-could-be-texas-daring-adventures-cumulate |title=English Teacher's daring adventures cumulate in the outstanding This Could Be Texas |work=The Line of Best Fit |publisher=The Line of Best Fit |date=2024-04-12 |access-date=2024-08-05 }}</ref> On 5th September 2024, it was announced that the album won the 2024 [[Mercury Prize]].<ref name="NME 2024-07-26">{{cite news |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/english-teacher-mercury-prize-2024-interview-beyonce-new-album-3778358 |title=English Teacher on their Mercury Prize nod: "It's worth pushing through the hard times" |work=NME |publisher= |date=2024-07-26 |access-date=2024-08-05 }}</ref><ref name="Guardian Mercury win 05-09-23" /> Judges said their album stood out "for its originality and character"<ref>{{Cite web |title=English Teacher revealed as winner of Mercury Prize 2024 with This Could Be Texas |url=https://news.sky.com/story/english-teacher-revealed-as-winner-of-mercury-prize-2024-with-this-could-be-texas-13209485 |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=Sky News |language=en}}</ref> and displayed a "fresh approach to the traditional guitar band format”.<ref>{{Cite web |title=English Teacher win 2024 Mercury Prize: 'A fresh approach to the traditional guitar band format' |url=https://www.musicweek.com/media/read/english-teacher-win-2024-mercury-prize-a-fresh-approach-to-the-traditional-guitar-band-format/090408 |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=www.musicweek.com |language=en}}</ref> English Teacher’s Mercury Prize win ended a nine-year streak of London-based talent winning the award, sparking conversation about the disparity in opportunities for musicians across the United Kingdom.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dazed |date=2024-09-09 |title=English Teacher’s Mercury Prize win is a victory for the North |url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/64553/1/english-teachers-mercury-prize-win-is-a-victory-for-the-north |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=Dazed |language=en}}</ref>

== Band members ==

* Lily Fontaine – vocals, rhythm guitar, synth

* Lewis Whiting – lead guitar, synth

* Douglas Frost – drums, piano, synth, vocals

* Nicholas Eden – bass guitar

== Discography ==

=== Studio albums ===

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

|+List of albums, with selected details and peak chart positions

! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title

! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album details

! scope="col" colspan="5"| Peak chart positions

! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Sales

|-

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%"| [[UK Albums Chart|UK]]<br><ref name="UK">{{cite web| url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/61405/english-teacher/ |title=English Teacher - Official Charts History |publisher=[[Official Charts Company]] |access-date=11 September 2024}}</ref>

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| [[UK music charts|UK<br />Phys]]<br /><ref name="UK"/>

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| [[UK music charts|UK<br />Sales]]<br /><ref name="UK"/>

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| [[Ultratop|BE<br />(FL)]]<br /><ref name="Belgium FL">{{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/showinterpret.asp?interpret=English+Teacher#disco|title= Discografie English Teacher|website=Ultratop NL|access-date= 11 September 2024}}</ref>

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| [[Scottish Albums Chart|SCO]]<br><ref name="UK"/>

|-

! scope="row"| ''[[This Could Be Texas]]''

|

* Released: 12 April 2024

* Label: [[Island Records|Island]]

* Format: [[Compact Disc|CD]], [[Music download|digital download]], [[LP record|LP]], [[Music streaming|streaming]]

| 8 || 3 || 4 || 186 || 5

|

*UK: 14,109<ref name=UKsales>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.musicweek.com/media/read/english-teacher-win-2024-mercury-prize-a-fresh-approach-to-the-traditional-guitar-band-format/090408|title=English Teacher win 2024 Mercury Prize: 'A fresh approach to the traditional guitar band format'|magazine=Music Week|date=5 September 2024|access-date=12 September 2024}}</ref>

|-

|}

=== Live albums ===

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

|+List of albums, with selected details and peak chart positions

! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title

! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album details

! scope="col" colspan="4"| Peak chart positions

|-

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| [[UK music charts|UK<br />Phys]]<br /><ref name="UK"/>

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| [[UK music charts|UK<br />Sales]]<br /><ref name="UK"/>

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| [[Official Vinyl Albums Chart|UK<br />Vinyl]]<br /><ref name="UK"/>

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| [[Scottish Albums Chart|SCO]]<br><ref name="UK"/>

|-

! scope="row"| ''Live At The Brudenell Social Club''

|

* Released: 20 April 2024

* Label: Island

* Format: LP

| 50 || 53 || 34 || 89

|-

|}

=== Extended plays ===

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

|+ List of extended plays, with selected details

!scope="col" colspan="1" style="width:21em;"|Title

!scope="col" colspan="1" style="width:15em;"|Release details

|-

!scope="row"|''[[Polyawkward]]''

|

*Released: 22 April 2022

*Labels: Nice Swan

*Format: download, streaming, vinyl

|-

!scope="row"|''Live from BBC Maida Vale''

|

*Released: 30 August 2024<ref name="ClashEP">{{cite magazine |last=Murray |first=Robin |magazine=Clash |date=30 August 2024 |title=English Teacher Share ‘Live From BBC Maida Vale’ EP |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/news/english-teacher-share-live-from-bbc-maida-vale-ep/ |access-date=12 September 2024}}</ref>

*Labels: Island

*Format: download, streaming

|-

|}

=== Singles ===

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

|+ List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name

! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title

! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year

! scope="col" colspan="3"| Peak chart positions

! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album

|-

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%"| [[UK Music Charts|UK<br>Sales]]<br><ref name="UK"/>

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| [[UK music charts|UK<br />Phys]]<br /><ref name="UK"/>

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| [[Official Vinyl Albums Chart|UK<br />Vinyl]]<br /><ref name="UK"/>

|-

! scope="row"| "You Won't Believe How Beautiful She Is When It Has Snowed"

| rowspan="1"| 2020

| — || — || —

| rowspan="3" {{non-album singles}}

|-

! scope="row"| "R&B (Theo Verney Version)"

| rowspan="1"| 2021

| — || 21 || 13

|-

! scope="row"| "Song About Love"

| rowspan="4"| 2023

| — || — || —

|-

! scope="row"| "The World's Biggest Paving Slab"

| 56 || 7 || 5

| rowspan="5" |''This Could Be Texas''

|-

! scope="row"| "Nearly Daffodils"

| — || — || —

|-

! scope="row"| "Mastermind Specialism"

| — || — || —

|-

! scope="row"| "Albert Road"

| rowspan="2"| 2024

| — || — || —

|-

! scope="row"| "R&B"

| — || — || —

|-

|-

| colspan="5" style="font-size:85%"| "—" denotes release did not chart.

|}

==Videography==

===Music videos===

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

|+List of music videos

! scope="col" | Title

! scope="col" | Year

! scope="col" | Director(s)

|-

! scope="row" | "R&B (Theo Verney Version)"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlNNca_Wlbg&t=20s |title=English Teacher - "R&B (Theo Verney Version)"|via=[[YouTube]] |date=11 May 2021|access-date=12 September 2024}}</ref>

| rowspan="2" | 2021

| rowspan="1" | Douglas Frost

|-

! scope="row" | "Good Grief"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPCQEU0iY1U&list=OLAK5uy_l8FxShrT-8_QIDvN8XTFe_HlUZtt9WyMY&index=5 |title=English Teacher - "Good Grief"|via=YouTube |date=9 November 2021|access-date= 12 September 2024}}</ref>

| rowspan="1" | Lily Fontaine

|-

! scope="row" | "Polyawkward"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piOZiVnWFm0&list=OLAK5uy_l8FxShrT-8_QIDvN8XTFe_HlUZtt9WyMY&index=1 |title=English Teacher - "Polyawkward"|via=YouTube |date=22 April 2022|access-date= 12 September 2024}}</ref>

| rowspan="1" | 2022

| rowspan="1" | Charles Gall

|-

! scope="row" | "Song About Love"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4u9AulY9Gdc |title=English Teacher - "Song About Love"|via=YouTube |date=24 January 2023|access-date= 12 September 2024}}</ref>

| rowspan="2" | 2023

| rowspan="1" | Lily Fontaine

|-

! scope="row" | "The World’s Biggest Paving Slab"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNkbgumvYyA |title=English Teacher - "The World’s Biggest Paving Slab"|via=YouTube |date=11 August 2023|access-date= 12 September 2024}}</ref>

| rowspan="1" | Claryn Chong

|-

! scope="row" | "Albert Road"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPm0hwBbtnI |title=English Teacher - "Albert Road"|via=YouTube |date=19 January 2024|access-date= 12 September 2024}}</ref>

| rowspan="3" | 2024

| rowspan="1" | Douglas Frost, Sarah Oglesby

|-

! scope="row" | "R&B"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5I7zefEoqGE |title=English Teacher - "R&B"|via=YouTube |date=15 February 2024|access-date= 12 September 2024}}</ref>

| rowspan="1" | Sarah Oglesby

|-

! scope="row" | "The Best Tears of Your Life"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeP7OdZQnNA |title=English Teacher - "The Best Tears of Your Life"|via=YouTube |date=12 April 2024|access-date= 12 September 2024}}</ref>

| rowspan="1" |

|-

|}

==Awards and nominations==

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="width: 80%;"

|-

! scope="col" |Organisation

! scope="col" |Year

! scope="col" |Category

! scope="col" |Nominated work

! scope="col" |Result

! scope="col" class="unsortable" |{{Abbr|Ref.|References}}

|-

! rowspan="3" scope="row"|[[Mercury Prize]]

| 2024

| rowspan="1"|Album of the Year

| ''[[This Could Be Texas]]''

| {{Won}}

| <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8jlngl2wk4o|title=Indie band English Teacher win Mercury Prize|website=BBC|date= 5 September 2024 |accessdate= 12 September 2024}}</ref>

|-

|}

[[Category:Island Records artists]]

[[Category:Musical groups established in 2020]]