Glasvegas' James Allan: 'I expect to win the Mercury Prize'

Glasvegas frontman James Allan says he expects his band to win the Barclaycard Mercury Prize 2009 with their 2008 self-titled debut album.

Speaking to NME.COM at the awards' launch in London's Covent Garden this afternoon (July 21), Allan said that his band deserves to win the £20,000 prize because of amount of effort they put into recording 'Glasvegas'.

"You've got to understand that with the euphoria [and] the heartbreak that you put yourself through making a record…I really did have nothing left in me," he explained about the record. "I was on my fucking knees by the end of this thing man, more than you'll ever be able to fucking imagine. So with that then, I expect to take it [the Mercury prize]."

Fellow nominee Florence Welch, of Florence And The Machine, also paid tribute to Glasvegas at the launch party, along with Friendly Fires who are up for the annual prize as well. All three bands went out on the road together on the Shockwaves NME Awards Tour in January 2009.

"It's amazing," Welch explained about the trio all being nominated for the Barclaycard Mercury Prize 2009. "I'm really proud of them and I'm excited for them. The whole thing is that I don’t feel like this is a competition really, I think it's a celebration of music in all genres and it's a really great equaliser."

Friendly Fires were equally pleased to catch-up with Welch and Glasvegas at the launch event, telling NME.COM that the fact they already know each other makes the award, which takes place in London on September 8, seem less daunting.

"It's kind of nice. You know, you go to these things and bump into people you know, go to dinner and have a nice little piss up with Florence and Glasvegas and stuff. I like the fact that it's worked out like that!" drummer Jack Savidge said.

To listen to full interviews with acts nominated for the Barclaycard Mercury Prize 2009, tune into Chris Martin's show on NME Radio this evening, from 7pm to 11pm (BST).

Last year's Barclaycard Mercury Prize was won by Elbow.

Who do you think has missed out on this year's Barclaycard Mercury Prize? Have your say at the NME office blog now.

Plus read the NME's predictions for who will win the 2009 Barclaycard Mercury Prize now.