The Van Daniels

By Kev Hutchings BBC Radio Devon Introducing

Matt Partridge, Jonny Wenlock, Chris Love and Ben Mason - The Van Daniels

After a few years touring the country and living on the road, Plymouth band The Van Daniels are now a changed band, and have a new album at the ready to prove it.

The Van Daniels were one of the first bands I played on BBC Radio Devon Introducing and coordinating all our schedules to get Matt Partridge, Jonny Wenlock, Chris Love and Ben Mason in to the studio has always proved difficult.

So when they took a break from touring to knuckle down and de-camp to world-renowned recording studio, Sawmills, we finally found time to sit down and reflect on all that's happened.

From their early shows to spending a few weeks living and recording in Sawmills - the studio of choice for Oasis when they recorded their debut album Definitely Maybe - we covered it all.

Great experience

It's great to see these four mates still have the same passion and energy they've always had.

So having spent time working on what will be the bands debut album and getting off the road for a while, I wanted to find out whether they'd changed as a band in any other way?

"I think we're maturing a lot more as a band," explains guitarist Ben, "and our music is a lot more mature too.

The Van Daniels at the Gold Coast Ocean Fest 2007

"We'd never recorded anywhere as a big or as expensive as Sawmills but it was a great experience."

I'm really excited about what the future might hold for The Van Daniels.

The break from touring has certainly done them the world of good and, from the new tracks I've heard, they sound as good as ever!

So when will they be back playing to their army of fans, all eagerly awaiting new material?

Drummer Matt Partridge told me of the plans: "We can't wait.

"We're going to go out there with something a bit fresher for people."

Keep an eye out for The Van Daniels when they hit the road again, touring with what promises to be a big album for the band.

The debut album from four mates making real, honest music and giving it their all, exactly what you want from modern-day rock stars.

BBC Radio Devon Introducing | Mondays 1800 | BBC Radio Devon

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