The Mess Hall

It couldn't happen to a nicer couple, really. Dynamic duo The Mess Hall - guitarist Jed Kurzel and percussionist Cec Condon - made one of the finest albums of 2007 in 'Devils Elbow' and for their efforts have just been awarded the Australian Music Prize (AMP). Establishing a similar prestige to Britain's Mercury Music Prize - and offering the incentive of $25,000 prize money - the AMP is decided by a specially-appointed panel of judges and effectively announces the best Aussie LP of each year.

"It is an award that rewards creative endeavours more than a standing in the industry from some financial or sales perspective," explains Kurzel. "That was how the award was conceived. It is an award that will continue to have a bigger and bigger profile as the years go on, and we feel privileged to have one of our albums amongst that."

It is their second nomination for the award, for their second full-length - their cranking raw rock debut 'Notes From A Ceiling' made the inaugural shortlist in 2005 - so The Mess Hall strike rate is pretty bloody good. Both albums were recorded independently, and the story of scratching the cash together to realise 'Devils Elbow' has been told again and again since winning the gong. But the accolade has vindicated their tested faith in their music.

'When you are just doing it on your own you have only got your own instincts to follow, and that can be a blessing and a curse - there is a tendency that you can go up your own arse," chuckles Kurzel. "But Cec and I are pretty big believers in trusting our own instincts, cause I know when we haven't in the past usually we have made the wrong decision. Now with the award it has validated a lot of our ideas and that means a lot."

'Devils Elbow' is edgy but accessible blues-driven rock'n'roll that also has pensive spells, and was in a varied field of nominees for the award including New Buffalo, The Devastations and Architecture In Helsinki.

"The money is welcome and everything else that comes with the award we have also found to be excellent. It is definitely recognised overseas - people have been calling up from everywhere."

Though he won't be drawn on just who from where is making those calls, it's true to say to say things have really got busy since the award was announced, but it is hardly as if the Mess Hall were twiddling their thumbs waiting for the announcement.

"We were doing OK anyway, and the award was a really bonus, the AMP has lifted it up to another level for sure."

The duo are just about embark on an Eastern states tour, which overlaps slightly with their support of the Foo Fighters' stadium tour when they play two shows in one night.

"We have never done that before. I do hope the traffic is kind to us on that night. I am pretty sure we will make it out there. It reminds me of the old days of AC/DC playing a few shows a night. We are only doing two, but they are definitely on two different ends of the spectrum," Kurzel explains - with one being Sydney's Acer Arena, the other across town at the Gaelic Club.

The Mess Hall live is certainly more than the sum of it's parts, the grinding low end blues described as 'more stonesey than stripesey' lest they be lumped in with a more famous guitar and drum outfit. And 'Devils Elbow' really stretches those two elements, which will require a certain agility to execute in a live setting.

"Yeah we just have to be really good at patting our head and rubbing our stomach at the same time for some of the songs," jokes Kurzel of playing the album live. "It is good because I think with every record there should be a new challenge, and this definitely has thrown a challenge at us for sure."

Narelle Walker

'Devils Elbow is out now on Ivy League Records.

The Mess Hall support The Foo Fighters along with Kaki King at The Entertainment Centre on Thurs 24 April