Nick Hemming, Warehouse Worker Nominated For Ivor Novello Award

A little known musician who is currently employed as a warehouse worker has joined the cream of British song writing talent as a nominee for this year’s 54th Ivor Novello Awards.

35 year old Nick Hemming, the guitarist and chief songwriter from the little known indie band, The Leisure Society is now set to fight it out with industry heavyweights Elbow and Miles Kane and Alex Turner from The Last Shadow Puppets for the award of ‘Best Song Musically and Lyrically’ when the awards take place at London’s Grosvenor House on the 21st May.

Staffordshire born Nick is nominated for the band’s self published and self produced debut single; 'The Last of the Melting Snow', which was released to widespread critical acclaim in December 2008. The single failed to reach the Top 40 despite receiving extensive radio support including a coveted ‘Record of the Week’ slot on Mark Radcliffe and Stuart Maconie's Radio 2 show. The track has also been championed by his chief rival for the award - Elbow front man Guy Garvey who named it his favourite song of 2008.

Nick, who once played in the band ‘She Talks To Angels’ with actor Paddy Considine, film director Shane Meadows and bassist Richard Eaton, has also written and performed music for the films ‘A Room for Romeo Brass’ and ‘Dead Man’s Shoes.’

Nick Hemming commented

“I worked in a record shop for many years and I can remember reading about the Ivors, thinking how it would be the coolest award to win as it's decided on artistic rather than commercial merit. I went straight onto the Ivors website after I'd received the nomination letter and found endorsements from Paul McCartney and John Barry, two of my biggest musical heroes. It all feels a little surreal at the moment; I'm incredibly flattered that so many people have taken such a personal song to their hearts.”

Patrick Rackow, Chief Executive of BASCA commented

“Once again the breadth of the works nominated shows the health of British music writing and the range of talent. I am particularly pleased to see new names on the list of nominees and would like to thank this year’s judges for all of their hard work"