Take Five with The Alternate Side: Alt-J

Clever move on the part of Alt-J to name its debut album An Awesome Wave; the title also neatly sums up the young, Leeds-born band's amazing trajectory for the year.

On top of praise from critics and sold-out gigs, last week the quartet was named one of this year's nominees for the Mercury Prize, the most prestigious music award for UK and Ireland musicians. An Awesome Wave has been out in the UK since May, but it was finally, at long last, released in the States this week, on Canvasback.

Alt-J continue touring North America until October 14 when they'll wrap things up at Austin City Limits Festival. Dates in Australia, the UK and Europe follow; it seems unlikely Alt-J will be home much until later in 2013.

Not long ago, Joe Newman, Gwil Sainsbury, Thom Green and Gus Unger-Hamilton made their way to Studio A for a live session and interview in which they chatted with host Russ Borris about nerves, their process and the Leeds music scene. The Alternate Side will broadcast the session today on 91.5 WNYE at 11 a.m. EDT, also online.

Check out interview highlights and more in-studio video, and read Alt-J's tour diary for The Alternate Side too.