Manchester is a town at the very heart and soul of British music. Bands the likes of The Hollies, the Bee Gees, Simply Red, The Fall, Joy Division, The Smiths, The Stone Roses and Oasis form a musical legacy that’s second to none. In 2001, Elbow became the city’s latest musical crown jewel after their debut record Asleep at the Back was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize. Their brand of progressive, gloomy yet evocative rock has brought them plaudits and critical recognition while also separating themselves from the soft, acoustic based rock that dominates the UK charts. Coldplay they are not, but that’s a good thing. The band released their latest effort, titled The Seldom Seen Kid, earlier this week and they start their US tour tomorrow in New York City. Their show Sunday at the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue is one of two shows they’ll be playing on the East Coast. We spoke to front man and lyricist Guy Garvey yesterday (he’s the dashing looking chap in the middle of the photo to the right), just a few hours after he stepped off a flight from England.

It’s very rock ‘n roll of you to take a transatlantic flight and start doing interviews as soon as you hit the ground.

Ah man, it’s not the hardest job in the world, I don’t care what any of them tell you.

I wanted to start out by talking about your new record, The Seldom Seen Kid. I read that it entered the UK charts at #5.

Yeah, we’re delighted about it.

And the record is inspired by your friend Bryan?

Yeah, our friend actually. Bryan Clancy. He was a Manchester singer/songwriter for many years and one of our very good friends and he suddenly passed away years ago. So it’s about everything that comes with that situation.

All the feelings that you have to go through…

Well, we’re all in our early 30’s, which is way too young to lose a contemporary. And that just makes you re-evaluate your life and consider your mortailty on the one hand but also appreciate your friends a little more and appreciate what you have a little more. It certainly made me feel that way. I suddenly felt like I had so much to do and not enough time to do it. But those are all selfish emotions attached to what was essentially a tragedy. But in many ways, it’s not just a record about death.

It sounds a little more laid back than your previous effort, Leaders of the Free World. Would it be fair to say that that record was your “angry” album, like you guys weren’t afraid to turn up the volume to make your point? It sounds like there’s a little less than that on the new record.

Yes. Things change, you know. But don’t get me wrong, I still get annoyed by stuff. But I’ve already made that point. And I wasn’t trying to refine the band as a political act. I was just doing what I felt like everyone should do. Which is put your hand up and say what side you are on.