The timeless music of The Bees is one of this year’s Mercury outsiders.

Next Tuesday, the winner of 2002’s Mercury Music Prize will be announced. One of the acts in the running for the coveted, sales-swelling award is a largely unknown partnership from the Isle Of Wight. At 16-1, The Bees are certainly underdogs but stranger things have happened (after all, the hideous M People won in 1994). The Bees debut Sunshine Hit Me follows in the roots-infected footsteps of other prize-winning first timers like Gomez and Badly Drawn Boy.

The Bees are 23-year-olds Paul Butler and Aaron Fletcher who wrote, recorded and produced the album in a shed. We Love You Records heard it and instantly offered them a five album deal. Now, after refusing to move from their island home, they’ve bought a house which they’ve converted into a home, office and studio. It was from here that Aaron took time out from recording to talk to us about the nomination and the new record.

“Loads of people don’t know who we are,” he reckons. “But when they come to our gigs they really enjoy it. I think we’re offering something different from a lot of bands.”

He and Paul share the writing duties, forming what Aaron calls “an engine” for writing Bees music. “We like to let accidents happen and see what comes out,” he explains. “With Sunshine Hit Me, every song was written differently and I guess that’s why it sounds so eclectic. With our new material we’ve written a load before we’ve recorded it, and we’re going into our studio with the songs ready to record as a band.”

So what can we expect from the new album? “We think it’s going to be uptempo. Sunshine Hit Me is rather downtempo, greatly laid back and relaxed. But the next record will have more energy.” Is that because there’s more people involved now? “Definitely. It’s because of the live show, it does great justice to the album but it has more energy in it as well.” So any hints as to what the new record might sound like? “Er, I was going to say Revolver, but no, no hints…”

And what about the Mercury nomination? “On the odds, we’re out there with the jazz and the classical bloke, but we’re not fussed about that. I’m into it, I always watch it – last year I sat on my bed and watched it, now I’m in it. It’s nuts!”

What do you think of the award? “I think it’s a really good thing, and it’s great that it encompasses so much music, and that it’s about the album and not about sales. And that’s why I’m so glad to be involved – because our sales haven’t been that good but people do like the record.” And who would you like to win, if The Bees don’t? “The Coral. Yeah. It’s a great album and they’re wicked live.” MW 12 September 02