Voted best Midlands band by What’s On readers in both 2016 and 2017, The Twang this month return to Birmingham’s O2 Academy for their annual festive shindig. Lauren Foster caught up with frontman Phil Etheridge to talk Christmas, collaborations and career highlights...

This year marks the 10th anniversary of The Twang’s debut album, Love It When I Feel Like This. Describe how life’s been from then to now.
We've just been doing lots of the same, really -  trying to have as much fun as possible. We’re fortunate that the band has been the biggest part of our lives for going on 10 years now, and long may that blag continue... I guess the biggest difference is we’ve all since had kids and stopped the partying to a degree. You don’t wanna be that 40-year-old drunk in the corner of a room full of cool 20-year-olds, telling them how your band once played Glastonbury… We’ve also just released our ‘best of’ - Either Way, It’s The Best Of The Twang - which was a big moment for all of us.

And you’re going to be playing the debut record in its entirety at Birmingham’s O2 Academy this month…
Yeah, we’re super-excited about it and are currently in the studio trying to remember how to play the songs. A number of those tracks we haven’t played since 2007, so it’s been great listening to them again.

The Twang tend to tour around Christmas. Is there a reason for this?
It’s become a bit of a tradition. I think a lot of folk treat it as their Christmas party, so the atmosphere’s pretty incredible. The Christmas gigs have been some of my favourite ever. I’ve noticed a few bands have started doing it now as well. It’s ‘party season’, so it makes sense. 

How will you be spending Christmas Day?
Recovering, I guess. The Brum gig’s on the 23rd, so the wife’s gonna have to bear with me till at least Boxing Day.

What’s on the top of your Christmas list?
To be happy and healthy and never have to get a proper job.  

The Twang are a Brummie band. What’s it like playing to a home crowd? Do the shows feel more special?
I used to find them difficult, as I’d put too much pressure on it being the best night of the year, but now I’ve kinda realised it’s all about the crowd. We’ve just gotta do what we do and it’ll all be grand.  

What’s your favourite thing about the city?
My mom.

What’s your favourite hobby outside of music?
I run quite a bit to clear the head. Most of the friends I’ve made through the band aren’t musicians. Instead they work within fashion or design, or are artists or whatever... I guess that’s where my interest lies outside of the band.

What would your dream collaboration or project be?
I’d love to write an album and then have someone completely remix it on a dance tip, but everyone wants to write that Screamadelica, don’t they? So maybe if I could just get Calvin Harris to do a tune with us, I could get that swimming pool built...

Who were your musical influences growing up?
I liked listening to whatever was on the skate videos. I really liked Op Ivy because of this H street video where Matt Hensley skated to bad town. I also liked bands like Carter, Ned’s, The Wonder Stuff and PWEI because my older brother was bang into all that ‘weirdo’ scene. Then, after skating it was dance, rave, house, whatever you wanna call it. I always kinda listened to the music that was happening at the time. I was never really one for going back and finding records from the ’60s etc.. not enough time in the day for that.

You’re well known on the festival circuit. Do you have a favourite festival?
We’ve just done Beyond The Tracks, which was a really great show for us. It was great to be on the same bill as The Coral again, so I’m gonna say that one. Gerv and the rest of the Moseley Folk lot are top. They deserve all the success they get.

What’s your career highlight?
I think definitely just getting a record deal and handing in my notice at work. I think that’s the best feeling I’ve ever had. 

What does the future hold for The Twang?
I honestly have no idea, so we’ll just keep on keeping on.

The Twang play O2 Academy, Birmingham, on Saturday 23 December.