Left With Pictures

Introducing... more breakthrough music talent on BBC London.

Violin, guitar and banjo feature in the band's line up, along with the melodica (photo: Alicia Canter)

Where are you based?

We're based variously in Bethnal Green / Hackney / Camden and Canning Town. But we mainly rehearse in a flat in Bethnal Green.

Names of band members and instruments played?

Stuart Barter - vocals, guitar, banjo; Toby Knowles - vocals, piano, melodica; Ed Seed - drums, vocals; Tom Walker - violin, glockenspiel, vocals; Robert Wicks - drums, vocals, violin (currently out of the country so we're operating as a four piece!)

How long have you been making music?

As Left With Pictures from 2005 - 2008 as a three piece, and we expanded this year. We've all been in bands since we were teenagers, though.

Style of music and influences?

Some influences, in no order - Lau, Sufjan Stevens, Ravel, Debussy, Blur, Hot Chip, Bob Dylan, Sam Cooke. In the past we've called ourselves 'Chamber Pop', but we have a folky side as well. We try to make pop that's also as interesting as possible.

Best moment so far?

We've had lots of great shows, but one of the best things has been joining Organ Grinder Records. They've worked very hard on our behalf, they're lovely folk, and the whole roster is amazing.

What song would you most like to cover?

We already close most of our sets with our version of Richard Thompson's '1952 Vincent Black Lightning' - but for the future, our keyboard/ piano player, Toby, is forever breaking into 'Sail Away' by Randy Newman in soundchecks.

It's become almost a tradition now - so perhaps we could rehearse that up and get it in the set...

Visit Left With Pictures MySpace, right, for more information. The song that brought them to our attention is the band's new single, 1,2,3 Go!, out on Organ Grinder Records.

Find more emerging artists like this in the London Calling feature in Gary Crowley's 94.9 radio show:

Gary Crowley: Saturday 6-8pm on BBC London 94.9