If you need fresh new music in your life, BAND A might just be the answer. Forged in their parents' garage in the small Hampshire village of Micheldever, this young and innovative band are making waves and gearing up to compete in this year's Battle of the Bands. Varsity caught up with bandmates Will, Ruby, Theo and Jill to talk Pete Doherty, their “transcendental” sound and the particularities of Theo’s contract…

Who are your musical idols and influences?

Theo: I’d say I often find myself harking back to the golden age - Pete Doherty from The Libertines. I er, I think they really understood what music was meant to be about, from a spiritual, emotional and sexual standpoint, they really knew. Pete knows how to play a guitar. In fact I did meet him one time… I met him in the bathroom it was er at yeah, The Troubadour in Earls Court … I bumped into him in the toilet and we found ourselves in the same cubicle just having this very … sorry can you not interrupt me? 

Will: No… no you didn’t.. you keep telling this story about how you met him.. no you stand in your bedroom and talk to the mirror.

Ruby: ANYWAY - We also like a lot of different bands that a lot of people haven’t ever heard about… Big Russian Fathers for example.

Jill: Strong Asian Mothers… Feminism.

Ruby: Strong Asian Mothers. We don’t like to be too inspired so much what has already been done, but what can be done.

Theo:  This is something I emphasise a lot, about having a distinctive sound.

Jill: But of course it still has a set rhythm.

Ruby: … or not.

How would you describe your musical style, then?

Theo: What I bring is a craftsmanship when it comes to the guitar, and that is something that these guys would be lacking if it weren’t for me, which is why I’ve come in as a session musician.

Will: That’s really rude. We paid you like, fifty quid.

Jill: No, we haven’t.

Will: We haven’t paid you fifty quid, continue with your story.

Theo: I’m sorry, are you saying you aren’t going to pay me? That is not how this transaction works my friend.

Jill: No, no [assures him]… so we’ve got a very unique style, in that sometimes we play some music, and other times we play… other kinds of music.

Ruby: I would say that our music style is very transcendental, it is definitely a sort of unique experience for all, it’s unlike anything you’ll ever hear… it’s really hard to describe something that there aren’t words to…

Jill: We’re definitely still trying to find our sound.

So tell us about your new single LMNOP.

Ruby: The name is still under debate. It’s a weird name.

Theo: This came from a lot of experimentation, which I was bringing in as soon as I arrived… at the garage, I was trying to get all these guys to undertake some meditation. I had them listen to some quite kooky, ambient soundscapes, if you will. Er, and from that, to realise that music is not just about creation, but also, appropriation of what’s going on in the environment that you find yourself in. And in this room we’re in now [animatedly] there’s a creaking of the chair, there’s the sound of the workmen, drilling outside… its er…

Jill: It’s very Glass Animals. But we’re quite inspired by John Cage.

So, where do you see yourselves in five years?

Will: Well hopefully we’ll have finished like, our second world tour or something? And I mean… once we kind of yield the fame of hopefully getting to grips with all the fans…

Theo: As I say, I’m just here to help these guys out today… I may be following my own path then….

Will: Yeah, we’ll probably leave you behind, and you’ll be ruing the day you ever questioned us -

Theo: I’ve played with Zeppelin at the O2, mate.

Will: …in your bedroom.

Theo: [laughs] …I’ve told you about this… I was in a pub by the O2 -

Ruby: Sh. But we’re definitely aiming for American music festivals… Coachella.

Will: Yeah, Burning Man, Coachella.

Ruby: But those are more short-term, but this year we still want to do the American circuit, for sure.

Jill: I mean like, at the moment my projected plan is only like, five, sixth months ahead.

Which festivals are you playing this year?

Ruby: Oh… I mean...

[silence]

Will: er...

Jill: Nothing is very certain yet.

Ruby: We’re definitely going to try for Glastonbury.

Theo: The important thing is to focus on the current moment.

Jill: The important thing is to focus on the music.

So, who’s the most forthright member of the band?

Theo: I really put myself out there. I mean, I recently travelled to Dublin for three months, I didn’t have anything, I just had a toothbrush and my own two feet, I didn’t even pack any socks and I just went into any pubs I could find, and they’d book me and just tell me “You can come back any night this week - this is really something quite incredible”.

Ruby: I am the main band member. I am the main singer and that’s the answer to that question.

Who’s the most likely to miss a gig?

Ruby, Jill and Will: Theo.

BAND - Footlights' Harry Porter Prize Nominee runs at the ADC from 15th February-18th February and their new EP, LMNOP is available for download from 20th February