New take on hippiedom: Fleet Foxes

WHO ARE THEY?

A folk-pop band who are proving there is more to Seattle than grunge.

WHY THE FUSS?

The vulpine quintet are on the verge of a British breakthrough. Their self-titled debut album is selling well and their recent gigs here were greeted with hushed reverence.

WHAT DO THEY SOUND LIKE?

The band describe themselves as 'baroque and harmonic', but there is also an emphasis on tuneful pop. One song, Sun It Rises, sounds like The Velvet Underground with added reverb. Forthcoming single White Winter Hymnal has echoes of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.

AND THEIR IMAGE?

'Fleet Foxes Are Not Hippies' ran the headline in a U.S. arts paper, but the band's collection of floppy hats, Jesus-style beards and plaid shirts suggests otherwise.

WHAT'S THE STORY?

Singer Robin Pecknold, 21, began making music with his best friend Skye Skjelset in their early teens. They recruited keyboardist Casey Westcott, drummer Nick Peterson and bassist Christian Wargo and began writing songs. 'We grew up with the music of our parents  -  Simon & Garfunkel, Joni Mitchell, Fairport Convention, Love and Bob Dylan,' says Robin.

WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?

The band released an EP in 2006, but languished in relative obscurity until this year, when they were one of the big hits of the influential South By Southwest festival. In putting an indie-pop spin on U.S. roots music, they are also breaking through at the right time.

WHERE CAN I HEAR MORE?

White Winter Hymnal is out as a single on Bella Union on July 21. The band are playing Shepherd's Bush Empire in London on November 5. Expect more dates to follow. For more details, visit seetickets.com