The Jayhawks' members were alt-country flag-bearers back when being an alt-country flag-bearer was still a big deal.

NPR: Mark Olson And Gary Louris: 'Pretty' Voices

Alt-J 's debut, "An Awesome Wave" (Canvasback), mixes alt-rock, electronica, experimental a cappella vocals and folk in a clever album that zigs and zags with each track.

WSJ: Lost in the Trees, Frank Ocean, John Fullbright and Other Best of 2012

Rapper Plan B and Mercury Prize winners Alt-J are also cited in two categories.

BBC: Emeli Sande up for two Novello awards