SOUTHAMPTON indie stars Cassava are taking their sound around the country this month before coming home for their biggest show so far.

After dates in Birmingham, Bournemouth, Ryde and St Albans, frontman Liam Cole, lead guitarist Torrin Rees, bassist Jared Plumb and drummer Scott Chamber will return to The Loft tomorrow night. A week later they play London’s famous Alley Cat.

“Our focus now is getting out on the road” Liam told The Echo. “In July we appeared at a festival in Darlington with other up and coming bands like Vida and people who had come to watch remembered us from first time we played there. That’s the sort of thing that makes everything worthwhile. We love going north.”

The band are just as excited about the Southampton music scene. The day we met their good mate Sean McGowan had just finished his own tour and revealed he’ll support Billy Bragg next.

“It’s brilliant to see acts like Sean doing well. All the hard work is paying off for him” said Liam. “It’s another inspiration for everyone involved in our music scene which is thriving at the moment.”

And it’s a success that Cassava are playing their part in. Just a year ago they sold out The Joiners with support from a band who’ve turned out to be one of the biggest breakthrough acts of 2017.

“Last September we were supported by The Amazons which, looking back, seems crazy now” said Liam.

But it was no fluke. At Christmas they had another full house at the 300 capacity Talking Heads before supporting Sheffield legends Milburn at The Engine Rooms in February and Australian superstars DMA’S at The 1865 in June.

The Common People festival veterans will premier three new songs on tour and have also been working with one of Britain’s best producers, as Liam explained.

“We’ve just recorded a new single, Twenty, with Wolverhampton producer Gavin Monaghan, who was behind The Sherlocks’ recent top six debut album.

“I’d wanted to work with him for ages, but it never worked out. This time we booked a couple of days and worked solidly on one song. We can’t wait for everyone to hear it.”

Appearing at The Loft is helping the band maintain their record of having played every music venue in Southampton except the 02 Guildhall. They say they’ve even taken care of Southampton’s newest music bar in Hanover Buildings.

“We’re already saying we were the first band to play Heartbreakers as we practised there before it opened” laughed Liam. “I even helped build the stage!”

Violet, Submariner and Minister, who include Liam’s brother Ollie and Torrin’s brother Rees, support Cassava at The Loft on Saturday, September 30. Tickets £7.50 at seetickets.com.

RICHARD DERBYSHIRE