When a band’s debut EP is described in some quarters as ‘flawless’ and ‘frighteningly good’, you might expect them to have delusions of grandeur but not so with The Lazarus Plot. Instead, the band has remained grounded by largely ignoring everything they read about themselves and sticking true to the roots of their music. Lead singer and songwriter Daniel Batchelor says: “‘Don’t get me wrong I think we’re a fantastic band with some pretty special songs but we normally prefer to let our music do the talking”. Formed at the turn of 2003 in a South London pub, The Lazarus Plot shirked away from the teen angst music of the Britpop scene and instead created their own sound borne from a mesh of artists as diverse as Massive Attack, World Party, The Divine Comedy, DJ Shadow and even Duran Duran. It is this eclectic mix of influences which has helped them fuse as a band. “We are pretty different” agrees drummer Russell Peace. “We all have varied tastes in music, but we have a very clear picture of what our sound should be, and we don’t really move away from that.” So how successful have they been? Well, their supporting of big names like Everything But The Girl, The Bluetones and Shed 7, their growing fan base, their sell-out performances in some of London’s top spots. And then there’s the planned international tour, which starts in Barcelona with further pencilled-in dates in the U.S and Canada. And the reviews. Apart from some seriously flattering reviews of their forthcoming EP, their live performances encouraged one gushing journalist to pen about the band: “And then something makes me turn around and pay attention. Something I haven’t seen, or heard, in a long time. Something called talent.” Do they still make me turn around and pay attention? Absolutely. Check out this band. They’re going to be huge. Siobhan Lismore, www.nuts4chic.com

Genesis / Duran Duran / DJ Shadow / Crowded House / World Party / The Divine Comedy / Depeche Mode / Massive Attack / Starsailor