New Roots: Candidate

CANDIDATE are one of those accessible cult bands who belong to the people who know. They have been compared happily by critics to The Beta Band, The Go Betweens, Julian Cope, and the sacred trio of initialised groups: CSNY, XTC and REM.

Long-term fan Stewart Lee described them as one of Britain's greatest psychedelic bands, and they have won album of the year plaudits, (Sunday Times, Rolling Stone, BBC Radio 2) without ever leaving cult status, or even their homes, that often.

Candidate provided the theme music for the long-running Jonny Vegas sitcom Ideal (beating Slade to the slot) and gained widespread acclaim for their 2003 LP Nuada, an alt-universe soundtrack for seminal folk-horror film The Wicker Man, featuring folk legend Bert Jansch of Pentangle on guitar. They were invited to attend the 50th anniversary burning ritual at the original location, playing the part of the village band for the assembled fans, witches and locals.

Their latest album, Point Clear, a richly textured bit of estuary psych, got across the board rave reviews, and may be their strongest set of songs yet.

WHAT THE PRESS HAVE SAID

A superb band. One of the best in Britain. Stuart Maconie, BBC Radio 6

Candidate are Britain's most tasteful, witty and thoughtful band. Stewart Lee, Sunday Times

Effortless tunefulness A spark of real grandeur. Mojo Magazine

The best available bridge between lo-fi Americana and the woody thrum of archaic Britfolk. Q Magazine