"We got rid of thinking about critics, and just wanted to make a 'pure' record," says The 1975's Matt Healy, stunned but charged as he makes his way down the media line at the nomination ceremony for the 2016 Mercury Prize. "That's what's been recognised. It does take courage, or it takes pure ignorance - I think we're a bit of both."
Confidence met with humility are what's stood The 1975 in such good stead. Their immaculate debut saw their cult following blossom into a worldwide movement, aided by their relentless touring and officially becoming the hardest working band on the planet. This year saw them return with the staggeringly ambitious follow-up, I Like It When You Sleep For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It - which we hailed as 'a trojan horse filled with nuances and surprising sounds; it is so much more than pop'.
Far from the cartoon of a band you may have imagined, they are now essentially a household name and being taken as seriously as they've always deserved. So much so that they find themselves competing with the likes of David Bowie and Radiohead for the Mercury Prize.
"It is surreal," replies Healy. "I keep saying that it's very humbling just to be invited alongside these kinds of artists - especially our contemporaries like Skepta too. It's amazing, and it's lovely to be involved in what's happening right now. Whether it's popular or something more leftfield - it's a good day."
A good day indeed, especially as they gear up to hit yet more festivals before a massive UK arena tour. Not bad at all, considering they're also cleaning up in America. "You are massive in the States," pipes up another journalist, "so who's the most famous person in your phone?"
"Most famous person on my phone?" Healy chuckles. "Taylor Swift! But she's probably changed her number by now. I keep texting it anyway..."
The 1975's upcoming UK tour dates are below, with tickets on sale from 9am on Friday 15 July and available here.
Tue December 13 2016 - MANCHESTER Arena
Thu December 15 2016 - LONDON O2 Arena
Fri December 16 2016 - LONDON O2 Arena
Sat December 17 2016 - NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE Metro Radio Arena
Mon December 19 2016 - GLASGOW SSE Hydro
Wed December 21 2016 - BOURNEMOUTH BIC
Thu December 22 2016 - CARDIFF Motorpoint Arena
