http://www.decemberists.com/

In the last edition we proclaimed The Decemberists the finest band on the planet. And we are never wrong. Watch these guys rocket to superstardom over the next couple of years. Nobody is making indie music this good anywhere. Chris Funk multi instrumentalist and guitarist took some time out to answer our questions. You can catch him on their new album the Crane Wife and also lending a hand to fellow indie giants The Shins on Wincing The Night Away.

HOLV: How are feeling just now?

CF: Bit of wine hang over, and my daughter woke me up way too early today. Also, my legs are covered in dry wheat paste as my girlfriend and I were up late making a stage prop for our US tour which starts this week. So really, not so great, but it could be worse, my daughter is really excited to be alive today, that's for sure.

HOLV: Never a bad thing! Anyway, it would be more than fair to say The Decemberists are one of only a handful of unique Indie bands on the go. How reassuring is it that you have managed to achieve the success you have without compromising your style and sound?

CF: Well, I guess a bit of luck and some hard work. I always have thought if a musician can make a living at this there has to be luck involved as there is always someone better than you out there, relatively speaking. I know of so many great bands and musicians that play to nobody every night, I'm sure you do as well. We were once that band, actually for years. I really can't say what it exactly is that makes a small percentage of the masses to take note and get excited, though a record label helps and getting in a van and doing some hard work which is touring way to much helps.

HOLV: The subject matter of your songs is great though. Almost a mix of Tim Burton and Roald Dahl with a bit of history thrown in. What are the bands major non-musical influences?

CF: Tooling leather, backgammon and making stained glass? Sorry. Uhm, It's really hard to say....how about McSweeney's, This American Life, The Flashman Society, Balthus, Tom Stoppard, Dylan Thomas, Vladimir Nabokov, Patrick O'Brian.

HOLV: Is there a crowd pleaser you always have to have on your live set?

CF: The end? Just kidding. Uhm, I suppose 'The Chimbly Sweep' as it's fairly upbeat and interactive and we usually act like total drunk fools at that point. In reality, people probably hate it and we are just too drunk to get that.

HOLV: Picaresque really got things going for you and The Crane Wife has been hugely well received, you are playing sold out gigs and even had a slot on The Late Show with David Letterman. Where next for The Decemberists?

CF: Were doing a record with David Bowie, David Byrne, and Lou Reed. Just kidding. Well, just what we know how to do which is tour. This summer in the states we are playing 5 shows with an orchestra in various cities, doing some US festivals, back to Europe, one more US tour, then a trip to Australia. We are really droll, aren't we?

HOLV: Ha you'll be busy anyway! Finally, though you aren't really known for electronic music, we are running a feature on the best synth artists. Have you got any personal favourites from this genre?

CF: Well, I have to give a shout out to your Boards of Canada. I also love The Knife. Our home town has tons of great electronic bands like Dat'r (which might be more of a band), Talkdemonic, and there is this great guy giving away a song every other day for a year via a podcast named Podington Bear, his music is great.

Interviewed By Hammond