We get down to the nitty-gritty in our new rapidfire interview series

Hearing about a band or artist's influences and inspirations are all well and good, but sometimes, you just want to get to the nitty-gritty in an interview - like, 'what's your favourite takeaway dish'?

Our new Q&A series sees us throwing rapidfire questions at musicians to get their most instinctive answers. There's no beating around the bush here - just honest, straightforward insights into their creative minds.

Mancunian indie-pop band Blossoms are Ireland-bound later this month for a number of gigs around the country.

Their third album 'Foolish Loving Spaces' was released last week and is another collection of upbeat, effervescent indie tunes.

To celebrate their new release and forthcoming Irish tour, we caught up with frontman Tom Ogden.

1. What’s the music that you listened to growing up, that you still listen to today?
Oasis were my favourite band growing up and I do still listen to them today. If I’m ever unsure of what to listen to or I’m feeling a bit down I’ll always go to them.

2. In three words, describe the minute before you walk on stage.
Pretty chilled, actually.

3. How do you wind down after a gig?
We usually have a couple of beers in the dressing room and listen to a playlist we’ve had on the tour. Usually some Luther Vandross and ABBA, to name a few.

4. What’s the one song you wish you’d written or recorded first?
I always wish I’d written 'God Only Knows' by The Beach Boys. I just think the melody is up there with the best ever and the opening line of ‘I may not always love you’ is genius. Paul McCartney even cited it as the greatest song ever written.

5. You can only have three albums on your phone/in your house at any one time - what three would you pick for today?
Suck it and See - Arctic Monkeys
Grease Soundtrack
Bob Marley - Legend

6. Name one record, one book and one film that everyone should hear / read / see.
Definitely Maybe - Oasis
The Catcher in the Rye
Goodfellas

7. Pick the director and lead actor(s) for a biopic about your life.
Let’s have Shane Meadows as he depicts Northern England quite frequently in his work. The lads in the band always say I look a bit like Joseph Gordon Levitt so he’s the only person that springs to mind!

8. You’re ordering take-away, what do you get?
Fish, Chips & Mushy Peas.

9. Describe your perfect day off.
Wake up, cup of tea and beans on toast, write a tune, walk the dog, then go out for tea with my girlfriend.

10. Tell us, in one sentence, why we should come to your gig
Because you’ll have loads of fun and hear 3 albums worth of great songs now!

Bonus question: Recommend a podcast that everyone should subscribe to?
Blossoms pubcast!

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Blossoms play Cyprus Avenue, Cork on February 29th; Dolan's, Limerick on March 1st; The Limelight, Belfast on March 3rd and the Olympia Theatre, Dublin on March 4th.