Daniel Land & the Modern Painters were formed in Manchester, UK in 2007 after witnessing an amazing DJ set by (German musician/producer) Ulrich Schnauss at the Big Chill. Met at University, and none of the band members are actually from Manchester but from different places around the England, Ireland and Scotland.

If you could have written one song, which one would it be and why?
This is one of those questions that I could give a different answer to every day, but at the moment I’d probably say Joni Mitchell’s “Hejira” or anything by The Blue Nile. Too prosaic? Perhaps I should have said Rebecca Black’s “Friday”. Whoever wrote that certainly got a bit of a payout.

Because you’re called Daniel Land & The Modern Painters: Who’s your favourite modern painter?
James Hugonin. I’m quite into minimalist art, and his work seems like a nice modern take of the kind of things Agnes Martin was trying to achieve.

Our brand sponsor is Pernod Absinthe and their signature cocktail is called the Green Beast – can you draw it and email it to us?
I prefer abstract really; how about if I do it via the medium of emoticons? Make sure to centralise the text, or it looks shite.

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Describe your world today in one word.
Whirligig.

Who are your top three musical influencers?
Brian Eno, Peter Gabriel, Cocteau Twins.

Can you take a photo of what’s right in front of you now and send it to us?
Yes. It’s a screenshot of a mix I never got around to finishing.

Where are we most likely to find you on a Friday night? What are you most likely to do?
Rehearsing with the band, or propping up the bar in my usual space at my favourite pub in Manchester. It’s like our Cheers bar.

What do you like most about what you do?
That people seem to get it, even if they don’t share any of our life experiences.

Where do you spend your time “thinking, working and playing”?

- THINK: where do you come up with your ideas, is there a special place or do random places spring up best ideas – examples?
Out and about, with my iPod. I get a lot of ideas when I’m travelling on trains, walking around Wythenshawe Park, or when I’m in the gym.

- WORK: where is your studio, or work place?
I live in a 500 year old cottage which overlooks a really nice leafy road, a church and a graveyeard, and has nice, open and lightfilled rooms, we also use it as a studio and all of our records are made here. It’s an inspiring place.

- PLAY: unwind, party – do you have a favourite place?
I like having my friends from the music scene around to the cottage to play vinyl records, drink red wine, and generally chew the cud about music.

What are the most important qualities in a musician?
Having good judgement; knowing how to fit things together; ignoring conventional wisdom; not worrying about technical ability; learning not to distrust things that come easily to you.

When we say ‘London’ what come to mind?
Travels in the van with the band, good gig memories, gallery trips, Camden nights, record label stuff, my ex boyfriend’s flat in Southwark, hungover breakfasts at Italian cafes, trips to Borough Market, good coffee.

Daniel Land & The Modern Painters second album, ‘The Space Between Us’ is released by Club AC30 Recordings on 28 May.