THE TOY BAND

Cardiff four-piece The Toy Band release their second single, 'All You Have To Do Is Cry', on 23 Feb via Boy Scout Recordings. Currently working with production team Bacon & Quarmby, who have previously worked their magic on Primal Scream, Ian Brown and Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly, the band are crafting their 60s-inspired sound into an album shape. With support from the likes of Huw Stephens, they're beginning to pick up attention on a wide scale. You can catch them live at the Dublin Castle in Camden on 28 Feb. We caught up with bassist Jim to ask those Same Six Questions.

Q1 How did you start out making music?
We all met at the Royal Welsh College Of Music And Drama. Me and Jamie started writing songs together and then asked Joe and Pete to join. To start with we would hang out at my house all the time writing songs and trying to put a set together.

Q2 What inspired your latest single?
Being trapped in an unfulfilling relationship inspired the last single. I'm not telling you which one of us was trapped!

Q3 What process do you go through in creating a track?
A very hard question as it changes every time. Sometimes Jamie will come with a melody and chords but is stuck with the words, I might have a lyric idea that fits the mood so we work it out together. Or maybe Joe will have cool music for a verse and Jamie will help out with the other sections and then we all sit down together to do the words. These are only a few examples, it's usually a complex process but luckily we all agree on the best idea!

Q4 Which artists influence your work?
Many - Bob Dylan, Love, The Beatles, Rolling Stones (okay, big acts from the 60s). More modern stuff includes The Smiths (modern!), Blur, The Coral, Arctic Monkeys, Turner Cody and The Libertines.

Q5 What would you say to someone listening to your music for the first time?
It depends... On some songs I would say "listen closely to the lyrics", on others "just enjoy the big riff!"

Q6 What are your ambitions for your latest single, and for the future?
I hope the single brings us more attention leading to more people listening to the group. My ambition for The Toy Band is to record a really good, progressive and respected album that people like listening to.

MORE>> www.myspace.com/thetoyband