Who are they?
Two sets of siblings — Americans Romeo (vocals/ guitar) and Michele Stodart (bass/keyboards/ vocals), Brits Sean (drums) and Angela Gannon (vocals/xylophone) — have come together as the Magic Numbers. Recently signed to Heavenly, home to the likes of Beth Orton, Doves and Ed Harcourt, they are already — on the strength of just one admittedly irresistible single and a handful of gigs — being talked about as one of 2005’s key bands.

Who do they sound like?
A mash-up of folk, rock, jazz-noir, soft pop and country, the Numbers range far and wide, their close-harmonising recalling the Beach Boys and the Mamas and the Papas, their lead vocals a mix of Neil Young, Marianne Faithfull and Bread’s David Gates, their episodic songs jerking from cop-show horns to filigreed indie pop and sideways into Southern rawk. Hard to categorise, but easy to love, they could share CD shelf space with Jimmy Webb, Cat Stevens, Lambchop, Belle and Sebastian, Badly Drawn Boy and Kings of Leon without sounding too out of place — not forgetting Demis Roussos, of whom Romeo is the spit.

That’s a lot of influences to keep on top of...
“We couldn’t believe we were so relaxed,” says Romeo. “It was like ‘Whoa, man! What’s this?’” Erm, the Magic Numbers.

When’s the record out?
The single is released tomorrow.

Can I see them live?
At Borderline, W1 (Tue, Nov 30 and Dec 7); supporting Saint Etienne and the Concretes, Shepherd’s Bush Empire, W12 (Dec 31).

Editor's choice

• The 100 Best Films of the Decade
• 70 facts you didn't know about Marvel
• The 50 Biggest Movies Of 2010