James caught up with Long Distance Calling before they supported Protest The Hero in Birmingham to talk about how the band formed, their forthcoming album and much more.

Thanks for giving us this time to speak to you, can you please firstly give us a brief history of your band including details like how you formed and came up with your name?
Jan: Well we met in 2006 in Munster, then we recorded the demo which went very well. We then got a deal and are now on our 3rd album and 1 EP, currently working on the 4th. We were at Rock AM Ring waiting to play and there was a video played on the screen by the French band Pheonix called “Long Distance Call”, we were looking for a band name and there it was.

Your latest album “Long Distance Calling” was released last year, how was the press and fan reaction to the album?
Jan: I think we did a big step up with this album it got very good sales as well as us receiving very good press over here in the UK.

You mentioned you have plans for the next album, what can you tell us about it?
David: Well this tour is about 3 weeks and we go into the studio in about October/November, we will do some shows in eastern Europe and possibly some others after the recording, then in around February 2013 we will hope to come back.

What would you say that your best moment as a band has been?
Jan: Everybody in the band would tell you something different, for me it was the shows with Opeth and Rock IM Ring.

David: The shows with Katatonia were a big step for us and our album release show a year ago infront of 600 people.

Alright then how about the worst?
David: Oh that’s really easy, it was in Holland. The city was called Den Bosch and it was the worst show ever.

Jan: Everything technical went wrong it was like what is this shit? Proper Spinal Tap moment.

David: Even when we go back to Holland now they say “I saw you 2 years ago in Den Bosch and that wasn’t good but tonight was brilliant” it was definitely the worst show ever.

How have the other shows treated you so far?
David: It’s been good, I noticed yesterday that this is the 3rd time we’ve been in the UK at exactly the same time every year, so hopefully we’ll keep that up haha.

Will we expect you at any UK festivals?
Jan: Well hopefully we’re working with a new agent now so hopefully we’ll get those opportunities.

What are your plans for the rest of 2012?
David: Studio, easten Europe shows, maybe some shows in the fall, then the new album is coming out.

Jan: But we need to take a lot of time off to really write the album when we get back, its already started but the intense part is about to start.

One last random question that we ask every band, if you could be an animal out of a zebra or Giraffe which one would you be and why?
Jan: Giraffe, then I could steal food from balconies haha!

David: I really don’t know, my favourite animal is a Gorilla, I will choose the zebra.

Jan: Why though?

David: So I can bite you in the legs and steal the food haha!

Thanks for your time, is there a message for your fans reading the interview?
Jan: Check us out we should be back soon with our new album and we would love to play to you all!

Interview by James Webb