TIM HUGHES gets a wide-screen cinematic insight into Oxford's musical future, from Rob Stevenson of A Silent Film.

FOR too long, they seemed to be a closely guarded secret, existing purely for the benefit of their clued-up Oxford admirers.

But, inevitably, word got out.

How could it not? Playing gorgeously sweeping anthemic rock, A Silent Film look and sound like the future. existing a full Oxfordshire country mile away from the generic indie mainsteam.

So while they were once content to entertain us in intimate local venues, they have been busy spinning their web of epic, piano-led soundscapes everywhere from the Isle of Man to Camden.

The turning point came last year when they were picked from thousands of UK bands to play Glastonbury Festival, as part of the BBC Introducing project.

The release of debut EP The Projectionist, meanwhile, was accompanied by sell-out gigs at the Ultimate Picture Palace, while a burgeoning UK following has since seen them criss-crossing the nation.

Tonight frontman/ pianist Robert Stevenson, bass player Ali Hussain, guitarist Lewis Jones, and drummer Spencer Walker play their first mainland European show – in the Dutch capital, The Hague. But, all agree, the big one comes tomorrow – when they play a triumphal headline hometown gig at the Oxford Carling Academy.

"Everyone's going to be there," says Rob.

"And if you're not there you're going to miss the party! As we're coming back from Holland, we'll be bussed-out and sleep deprived. But it's very exciting."

The show follows the release of their long-awaited debut album The City that Sleeps – featuring the spine-tingling Thirteen Times the Strength and You Will leave a Mark (check out the videos on You Tube).

The album, on Xtra Mile Recordings, was produced by the legendary Sam Williams (Supergrass) and recorded in Cumnor.

"It's going really well," says Rob. "It could have gone either way, but we've had a really good response. It's been incredible."

So, to the uninitiated, what does it sound like?

Rob sighs. It is, after all, not easy to encapsulate the rarefied charms of A Silent Film in a few words.

"There's a bit of something for everyone," he explains. "It cuts across boundaries and doesn't alienate people. The songs are melodic and the lyrics are engaging. There are songs about real emotions but it's also dance-orientated with an indie-rock & roll vibe. It's genre-defying. We don't want to get nailed down.

"We don't have an agenda but wanted to do what was right for us, which is to follow our instincts and not listen to other trends. It is a gamble doing things your own way, but one we've been willing to take."

And it's a gamble that has paid off for the quartet – three of whom met while at St Edward's School in North Oxford (Ali later joined the band while at Southampton University). I don't have a grand vision," explains Rob. "But I'm happy with where we're at. After all, this is what I do. I've always been a songwriter. I hope people in Oxford are proud of what we're doing. The Oxford music scene is a fine establishment, and we want to keep it moving."

So will we have to wait long for what, for too many bands, is that 'difficult' second album?

"No!" he insists. "We are already really close. We're aware of the second album situation. Bands have their whole adolescent years to come up with their first album, and just a year or so to come up with the second. But we've been writing new material.

"We've also been rehearsing a lot, and I really believe the songs are there."

He admits to being tirelessly dedicated to his craft. "I never stop!" he claims. "I don't know how to relax. I like meeting people at our gigs but I'm a pretty private guy.

"I let the others fill their time with debauchery!"

l A Silent Film play the Oxford Carling Academy tomorrow. Tickets are £6 in advance. Doors open at 7pm. Support comesfrom International Jetsetters and Motion In Colour.

l The City that Sleeps is out on Xtra Mile Recordings. As well as being stocked in HMV and Zavvi, in Cornmarket, it's also, brilliantly, available directly from Rob and the boys at the Videosyncratic store, in Cowley Road; The Oxford Blue, in Marston Street; The Honey Pot, Hollybush Row; and The Duke, St Clement's.