Q. I'm in an unsigned Indie rock/pop band from Swindon. We're making melodic music centered around acoustic guitar and piano, kind of in a similar vein to Keane and Coldplay. The genre "indie" stretches far and wide, but we believe the kind of music we're making is commercially marketable and falls within the "popular music" category.


Swindon seems to have a thriving music scene at the moment, with a lot of buzz centered around young bands like The Alfonz and the forthcoming Swindon Shuffle festival (which we hope to be taking part in).


You've been there, seen pretty much most of it and bought the T-Shirt etc. In your opinion, do you think Swindon will produce another XTC?


Lastly, I've just turned 32, the drummer is 30, the lead guitarist is 33, only the lead singer and bassist are in their 20s. Are we too old to get signed? Are major record labels only interested in bands in their teens/early 20s?


Damien Davis, Keyboards/Backing Vocals

A. Dashing Mr. Davis. Will Swindon ever produce another XTC? Great Zod, it was a weird, unforeseen miracle that it produced the original one. You might be stretching your improbability drive motor to meltdown expecting another old fruit. Times where VERY different then and musical events were and are usually a collision between coincidence, available canon fodder, current tastes and alcohol. But it's not an exact science so who can tell? There may be another (ahem) renowned band from Swindon but they won't sound anything like XTC. No need.


The brutal truth on the major label/too old to be signed thing is sadly likely to be a yes. But things are changing, not least the record industry,so don't lose heart. Age is less important to certain markets but I wouldn't count on selling bucket loads to 10 year old girls if you're over 25 and unwilling to jump through hoops.


Andy