Tim Hughes talks to a young band making a surprisingly big noise – one of the stars of this weekend’s Arcane Festival, Tristan & the Troubadours.

THEY may be young – ranging in age from just 15 to 18, but they are already being heralded as one of Oxfordshire’s most exciting bands.

They are Tristan & the Troubadours, and in a county bristling with unbridled talent, they are taking on the competition – and drenching them in a tsunami of violin, piano, drums and guitars.

I caught up with the band while they were taking a break from the recording of their new EP at Cumnor’s Coldroom Studios, ahead of coveted gigs at Camden’s Dublin Castle, and tomorrow, at the Arcane Festival, in Tetsworth.

“Things are going really well,” said the band’s drummer Rich Troubadour.

At the grand old age of 18 Rich – aka Richard Smith from Hailey, near Witney – is an elder statesman of the group.

“We’re really busy this summer. We’ve played a few local festivals but even more more gigs.

“Things had gone a bit quiet because of schoolwork, but now I’ve finished my A-Levels I’ve got much more time to dedicate to the band.”

Rabble rousing, multi-instrumental enfant terribles TATT, have been making waves since bursting on to the city’s consciousness with a storming set at Equitruck Festival three and a half years ago.

Rich Smith, Ben and Sam Conway, Bernard Goyder, Joe ‘Electro’ Weller, Rowan Blackston and Josh McCaffer went on to win over crowds everywhere from Truck Festival – where last year they played two rammed sets – and this year’s Cornbury – where they proved to be one of the biggest hits of the weekend.

But what do they sound like?

“We are a fundamentally indie-based guitar band, but with varying degrees of influence from different genres. There is a definite dance and electro feel to the way we write and in our use of repetition, but we also draw on folk and classical influences.

“We try to draw together all our musical tastes into one palatable amalgam.

“So you can expect energy, raucousness and a ramshackle urgency!”

And he’s right. Their songs are short, sharp and punchy. But it’s hard to tell whether they are nice or nasty; sweet or seamy.

He admits they are unlike any other band on the local scene – and not just because they boast an accomplished fiddle player.

“We are different,” he grins. “Largely because of our size – there are seven of us – and our age. It’s tough being at a gig where you can’t get served. But at least our rider is cheap, afterall, how much can you possibly spend on fruit pastels and bottled water!”

This weekend’s set at Arcane will see them join a bill alongside some of Oxford’s best bands – including A Silent Film, Borderville, Mephisto Grande and Ivy’s Itch.

“It looks like a good festival with a great line-up,” says Rich. “There’s a proper eclectic mix and a proper technology element with a lot of dance and some great dubstep too. I can’t wait to get there.”

They may have been together for more than three years, but they admit they still have a raw sound that comes from continually writing and playing new material. And the writing continues apace, with Richard taking a gap year to concentrate on the band.

“We know our old songs well, but as soon as we write something new, it’s back to square one.”

Tristan & The Troubadors play the Arcane Festival tomorrow. The band also play Fat Lil’s in Witney, on August 5, and The Cellar, Oxford on August 15, alongside We Aeronauts.

BE THERE...

COMING in the midst of a summer of festivals, Arcane offers something a little bit different.

For one thing it’s intimate, expecting to attract only about 500 people. It also offers some tremendous artists – Borderville, A Silent Film, the Joe Allen Band, Anton Barbeau, Tristan & the Troubadours and Maria Illett.

But, importantly, this is also a party for those who live by night, with a packed bill of hard house, hardcore, dubstep, breaks, house and drum & bass – and even a set from notable ‘happy hardcore’ deckmeister DJ Sy.

Thame’s Aemi Blaza of the Pure Alchemy Sound System helped set up the festival with a group of mates three years ago.

“It all evolved from a party we had in a single tent,” she explains. “But it has now evolved, getting bigger and having live music.”

It costs just £27.50 for adults, £15 for those between 10 and 17, and is free for younger kids. Arcane Festival takes place at Horsenden Meadow, Tetsworth, starting at 6pm tonight.

See arcane-festival.com