August 6, 2008 9:21

Nationwide Mercury Music Prize nominee Burial's identity revealed

Anonymous London producer outs himself

Burial – the London producer who is favourite to win this year's Nationwide Mercury Prize for the album 'Untrue' – has revealed his true identity online.

Until yesterday (August 5) Burial had recorded and released his or her music anonymously, refusing to provide identity-revealing photographs and conducting interviews on the proviso that reporters would not reveal his identity.

However, yesterday Burial posted a blog on his MySpace page, MySpace.com/burialuk, revealing his real name.

In the post he revealed that his name is Will Bevan and that he lives in south London. He also posted a photograph of himself (above).

"For a while there's been some talk about who I am, but it's not a big deal I wanted to be unknown because I just want it to be all about the tunes," he wrote. "Over the last year the unknown thing become an issue so I'm not into it any more.

"I'm a low key person and i just want to make some tunes, nothing else. my name's Will Bevan, I'm from south London, I'm keeping my head down and just going to finish my next album, there's going to be a 12-inch maybe in the next few weeks too with four tunes."

He added: "Sorry for any rubbish tunes I made in the past, I'll make up for it."

It is rumoured that Bevan attended the Elliot School in London, where Hot Chip's Joe Goddard was also a pupil.

The Independent had previously speculated that Bevan was the publicity shy artist, although the rumours were not confirmed by the artist himself until yesterday.

Or has Burial revealed his real name?

In a minor twist, online searches reveal that website Williambevan.co.uk belongs to a Herefordshire-based undertakers. Burial indeed or perhaps the inspiration for the producer's alter ego? Have your say by posting below.