Interview: The Maccabees release Given To The Wild

South London band The Maccabees release their third record Given To The Wild today and boys and girls it's damn good. 

It follows their well-received 2009 Top 20 album Wall of Arms which was produced by Marcus Dravs who worked with Arcade Fire on The Suburbs. 

It's fair to say since the release of the first track from this effort, Pelican, and a very successful sold out mini-tour, great things are expected from this album. 

I've got a lot of love for the boys as I remember back during one uni holiday in 2005 my housemate and very good chum invited me to her mates' gig at 333 in Shoreditch.

Down in a sweaty basement with about 100 people they played their earliest tracks like Latchmere and Lego.  I was 19 and probably wearing something a little bit tragic (might have been in the early stages of my 'hat phase' which has never really finished but the selection of head-gear has got much better!). I remember looking at her with crazed indie-loving eyes, and going 'yup this guys are gonna do it!'.  Oh dear!

Since though I have looked on admirably as they've grown as musicians, put out three brilliant albums, toured the world and built up the most loyal fan base going. Along the way as I've worked at Xfm and 6 Music I've had the pleasure of interviewing them more times than I can remember.

I hope they get everything they deserve in 2012 off the back of what I can only call a beautiful, unique, uplifting, stirring and stunning record.

Guitarist Felix White has been speaking to me for BBC 6 Music about their new offering.


Check it...