FOR many the last few years have absolutely flown by. Election after election, tragedy after tragedy, humane coming together of community, solidarity, Iceland, the year of the celebrity death, Pokemon Go. Too much to remember. Yet for four lads, who unbeknownst to them spent the whole of their lives living within 2km of each other, from Stockport the burgeoning professional changes they’ve seen far outweigh the quickly regressing stature of our country.

Blossoms. The electro-indie pop revivalists who have reminded a nation that bangers can still be pumped out through brash guitars and synths. Time might change, but some formulas stay forever.

Before their slot at this year’s Camp Bestival, The Gazette caught up with lead vocalist and guitarist Tom Ogden from Blossoms to understand how the band has moved so quickly from their humble beginning practising in bassist Charlie Salt’s grandfather’s scaffolding yard – Fitzpatrick Scaffolding Ltd – to headline major festivals and sell-out UK tours. Oh and bang in a hugely successful, chart-topping number one album.

“Every now and then you have one of them moments,” Ogden told The Gazette when asked if you ever understand the magnitude of the band’s achievements.

“It’s usually at time when you don’t expect it – like having your tea or just wandering around a random city in the world somewhere with your best mates. We’re very proud of what we’ve achieved and we feel this is only the start.”

And if this is just the start – the world is no doubt the youngster’s oyster.

The breaking of Blossoms came in 2016, when ‘Charlemagne’ dropped. An instinctive, delicious slice of electropop, renowned for huge synth riff that became a staple of BBC shows across the country. True universal acclaim then came courtesy of their self-titled debut. Stockport Train Station proudly encouraged train users to purchase the new album by illuminating the band’s name on all of their departure and arrival boards on platforms.

Ogden continued: “We’re humbled by the reaction to the album. We were confident in the album and knew we had a great collection of songs but I suppose you can never guess the levels of success it might achieve.

“Seeing your town’s train station put you on their screens was definitely a mad thing to see.”

He added: “I’ve been writing for the second record and we’ve already started recording and it’s still very synth/guitar driven. Songs like ‘Honey Sweet’ [another classic example of the riff-laced credentials of the group, with a video that makes you just smile at the endless possibilities youthfulness brings] were definitely a breakthrough sound for us so we’ve picked up where we left off there.

“We’ve got some cool new synths too which have opened that door wider.”

So with their Camp Bestival slot just a matter of weeks away, Blossoms will no doubt be continuing to ride that crest of a wave.

The Gazette calls Blossoms the second best to come out of Stockport. When asked where their appearance would rank in four-years of unending highs, Ogden said: “Second best to being labelled the best thing to come out of Stockport since the hat museum…”

Camp Bestival takes place between July 27 and 30. To find out more visit campbestival.net.