The Lottery Winners reflect on Kate Nash row: “She’s great for highlighting the lack of access working class people have in the arts”

nme.com:

The Lottery Winners frontman Thom Rylance has spoken to NME about his regret at starting a row with Kate Nash over the lack of working class representation in the arts – as well as what to expect from their upcoming album and support dates with Robbie Williams.Last month, Rylance tweeted that Nash shouldn’t try to represent working class musicians, as well as criticising her background as a former pupil of the BRIT School, mistakenly labelling it a fee-paying establishment.The tweet was in response to Nash’s ‘Butts For Buses’ campaign, which has seen the singer join Only Fans to raise funds for her tour, as well as highlighting how it’s far more lucrative for musicians to sell images of their body compared to streaming royalties.Nash responded to Rylance stating that she was “slightly confused by your argument”.

Elaborating in an interview with NME this week, she continued: “What’s the argument about the BRIT School? It’s a free performing arts school.

An important message to get out there is that the BRIT School is for everyone. You don’t have to pay to go there. If you heard and got confused, don’t be discouraged from applying.

Free performing arts access to young people is so important.”Rylance had previously clarified his comments, saying he was “in no way meaning to start beef with anybody.” Now, in an interview with NME, Rylance has admitted he regrets attacking Nash and The BRIT School, fearing his comments had overshadowed his wider point that working class people need greater access to music and other art forms.“My intention was to make valid points, but the way in which I delivered it took that validity away,” said Rylance. “Hindsight is a great thing.