Disinterested in scenes and sick of lazy comparisons, British band Editors are out to prove their music will stand the test of time. With their stunning cinematic debut, The Back Room backing up these claims, it seems the future of this band from Birmingham is a bright one. Lifelounge's Dimitri caught up with bass player Russell Leetch to find out about influences, inspiration and other musical stuff.

First of all congratulations on the album, it's an amazing debut, how does the band feel about the end result?

It's great; the whole process has been gradual, so there hasn't been a shock moment. We're all exactly the same people as we were when we met 5 years ago, and since the band started three years ago, so it's just the surroundings that change.

Did you set out with a finished idea in mind or was the process of writing and recording the album more organic and free flowing?

When writing Tom creates a basic chord structure and vocal melody. We then write the music by trying to produce melodies that counteract this, whether it is a guitar line, keyboard or bass line. The creative process is like a factory floor, we come back together in a room and see if it works- if it doesn't we go back and try again, and if it still doesn't happen then we chuck it in the bin.

I heard you guys met at university, what were you all studying? What would each of you be doing if you weren't playing in a band?

We all studied music technology and completed it to varying degrees of success. We actually went to university to meet like-minded people and to form a band, so it has worked out very well. I'd like to work in music in some form if not in a band; we all worked 9-5's whilst trying to get a record deal and never want to go back to that, it wasn't for us.

Has the process from starting the band to releasing the album been a fairly rapid one, and how long were you playing gigs before being signed by Kitchenware?

After university we moved to Birmingham and started taking the band as our main concern, we wrote the album in the year it took from moving there to getting signed and we played loads of gigs in and around Birmingham .

You guys have created some stunningly dark and atmospheric yet quite hopeful tracks, where does the inspiration for your music and lyrics come from?

The music comes from all of us and we try and make it as interesting as possible. Our favourite bands, REM, Radiohead, Elbow obviously influenced us in our sound and they are all atmospheric soulful bands, we can't do cheerful- it's not sincere to us, it's easier for us to convey emotion the way we write.

Was it a conscious decision to create that new-wavey sound that has experienced such resurgence of late, or is it something that has flowed from within you all in a more unconscious manner?

We've never thought ourselves as a scene band or involved with other bands. We want to be a career band and stand the test of time as Editors on our own two feet. It's more important for us to step up for our next record and not think about anything else.

What do you guys think about comments that label you as the offspring of bands such as Joy Division and Echo and the Bunnymen? Do you resent those comparisons or have those bands actually been influential to Editors and your aural and visual aesthetic? How would you describe the band and the music you produce?

Those bands didn't influence us at all so we're not bothered. The comparisons for us feel lazy from people so it gets really boring answering questions about it. The music we make is textured, cinematic and hopeful, I think the bands mentioned create very bleak music.

What do you think of the current rash of new wave bands such as Interpol that you have drawn comparisons with?

Interpol are a great band, they are very different to ourselves as they tend to write soundscapes rather than three minute pop songs. We haven't found it a stumbling block to get compared to Interpol as people tend to see the differences.

Are you influenced or inspired by any other forms of art such as cinema or fine art? What films or other art forms do you find inspirational in particular?

I love watching films, as it's such an escapist activity. I watched The Constant Gardener the other day and it blew my mind, the way it interacted two storylines into an utterly compelling film was genius!

What has been your most memorable travel destination?

Nashville , Tennessee , USA because we went for one gig and it took 3 travel days to do a terrible gig, we had an awful time.

And what about your most memorable gig?

I'd say Glastonbury as it was our first ever festival gig, the torrential rain had completely washed out the site and everyone was standing there in the mud- a very real introduction to UK festivals.

What about as an audience member?

Terris, Miri Madog festival, north Wales near Cwanaervon. This was their last ever gig and they played with so much anger, frustration and energy that it was the best gig I have ever seen and will most probably ever see.

Have you heard about how the album has been received in Australia and do you know anything about the music scene here?

I've heard it's gone down pretty well and yes we will be over very soon. The only bands that I really like from Aus are Faker and Howling Bells.

Finally, this issue of Lifelounge Magazine has a luxury theme – what do you consider luxurious, and are there any luxuries associated with being a signed and touring act?

I think it's just luxurious to relax at home. I'm not bothered about material things apart from CDs and records, as I'm a collector of those, however I don't think they are necessarily material as they contain music, and that's universal. The perk for being in a band for me is that we get sent a lot of music which is ace.