Having emerged as ones to watch in 2005, we caught up with Editors on tour to find out what the scoop was.


How did you get together and start the band?
We met at university in Stafford about four years ago. We all lived together and all liked similar types of music so it just made sense to form a band together.

Who are your influences and do you think they come across in the music?
For Tom, it’s the first two REM records. Michael Stipe has said on record that he likes people to attach their own meanings to their songs and not focus on specifics, which is something we also do.

A lot of your success has been 'word of mouth'. Do you think of yourselves as a live band first and foremost?
Certainly. We all really enjoy playing live and gigging is very important. We like to show people that we’re here and we can play; that helps getting a loyal fanbase. When we were working in the studio on our album, we approached it in the same way we approach our live sound. We wanted to capture the energy and spirit our songs have live.

What current bands do you rate and why?
This year it’s been The National. ‘Alligator’ is a stunning record the vocal delivery on the whole album is first rate. The Anthony and the Johnsons album is also great; its underground New York cool and its good to have a singer songwriter that’s not someone like James Blunt.

You worked recently with Guy Garvey - how was that?
We worked with Guy and Craig from Elbow on a track called ‘Let Your Good Heart Lead You Home. When we went to university, Elbow were one of the bands we all loved, so to work with them was an honour and was really special.

Any other collaboration’s lined up?
Not at the moment but we would love to work with them again. We haven’t really thought of any other people we’d like to work with but we’re open to suggestions.

Have you been surprised at the album's success?
It took us a year to write the album and we concentrated really hard on it. Its great to have lots of people listening to it and liking it.

Why is the song 'Munich' called that?
We just liked the title; the sound and look of the word. The song Bullets was named in the same way. A word works primarily as an image. They are shapes, symbols. In the accompanying lyrics there is not a single reference to those titles.

Are you excited about supporting Franz Ferdinand?
We’re all really looking forward to it. Franz have been an important band to our generation and opened many doors for guitar bands. The crowds are going to be massive and because they are arenas shows they'll be a different vibe to anything we've done so far.

What do you expect from the experience?
To play to lots of people and hopefully for them to get into us.

Are you sick of the Joy Division comparisons yet?
Its pretty boring but people can do what they like. We’re not bothered by it. We’re not a joy division tribute act and if you play our records you’ll realise that we are very different to them.

Apparently, Peter Hook likes you. Got any other famous fans?
Just other bands really. Franz Ferdinand, Snow Patrol, Elbow.

What are your future plans?
We’re trying to write stuff whilst touring at the moment so that we can have another record out next year..

www.editorsofficial.com

Nicky Veness