Kingsland RoadKingsland Road gave us a moment to chat to them before performing Bastille's 'Pompeii' in the Female First offices last week, where they discussed their busy schedule, first year anniversary and their hopes for the next 12 months.
What have you guys been up to since 'X Factor'?
Josh: Well we've been on the road up and down the country gigging everywhere - it's been pretty busy to say the least.
Connor: Fantastic!
What was it that pushed you to audition for the show?
Thompson: To be honest we just wanted to audition to get some feedback from professional experts. We didn't actually think we were gonna get through - we definitely didn't think we were gonna get through to the live shows and the fact we did was absolutely amazing.
How was the whole 'X Factor' experience?
Thompson: Mental.
Connor: Sick!
Josh: Oh my God... you can't even sum it up, like, it's something that not everyone gets to do in their lives so we feel so lucky that we got to see what it's all about, and it is chaos behind the scenes - there's so much going on that it's almost like a blur.
Are you still in touch with Gary Barlow?
Thompson: Unfortunately not - he's got Rough Copy to deal with so once they've hopefully won, we'll probably get back in touch with him and see what's g'warn-ing!
Matt: He's been promoting his new album.
Josh: Yeah he's a busy guy - we understand.
You turned on Wigan's Christmas lights on Thursday (November 14) - how was that?
Connor: It was the best gig we've ever done - it was crazy.
Matt: I've still got ringing in my ears.
Jay: We actually got mobbed - had about 50 security guards take us to our car.
Connor: Like 50.
Josh: Well I dunno about 50!
Matt: We were all a bit nervous as well pressing the - what is it called? - plunger.
(Thompson, Josh, Connor and Jay laugh)
Josh: Yeah! Pressing the plunger!
Matt: 'cos we got told last year someone got an electric shock!
Josh: There was tinsel round it, so it was like - a safeguard.
(Group laughs)
You recently celebrated being together for a year - how was it that you all met?
Josh: Connor and myself put the band together, didn't we?
Connor: Yeah!
Josh: We just wanted to put a boyband together and, as if by magic - findaboyband.com - it just happened.
Matt: As you do, when you're having a cup of tea at home.
Thompson: Yeah, if you're not talented enough, get some better people to kind of make it better!
Connor: How did we celebrate our anniversary?
Thompson and Connor in unison: We got kicked off 'The X Factor!'
(Group laughs and cheers "Yeah!")
Connor: Happy anniversary!
We've got some fan questions! Hayley wants to know - who has the best hair in the group?
Thompson: Gary said me.
Matt: None of us!
Thompson: Gary said me, so...
Connor: We had pretty terrible hair at the beginning.
Matt: Gary said he has the best hair.
Thompson: Well if Gary said me, I'm not one to say it's me!
Josh: If Gary's said it, then...
Connor: it must be true!
Matt: But, Gary said it when he didn't have the quiff!
Josh: Yeah, it's changed!
Thompson: I like to mix it up.
Meg wants to know who you want to win 'X Factor' this year?
Group in unison: Rough Copy!
Josh: Definitely Rough Copy, definitely.
Thompson: They're amazing.
Josh: They deserve it, as well.
Adam asks how you feel missing out on the 'X Factor' tour by a week?
Connor: Ah, it's gutting.
Josh: It's tough, isn't it? It's tough titties.
Connor: But that's life!
Thompson: That's what all the people say.
Jay singing: That's life!
Josh: We're disappointed but it means that we've got all that time to do other things - we can write, keep developing our music - it's good.
Who would you swap with on the tour?
Jay: Swap? You can't say that.
Josh: Aw, no! Everyone on that tour deserves a place.
Matt: I'll say it, I'd probably say - Abi Alton. Just gonna put it out there.
(Josh and Connor laugh)
Finally, Katie wants to know - what's something you hope to have achieved by this time next year?
Connor: Get signed!
Thompson: Yeah, get signed, release music, have an album out.
Jay: Make money!
Thompson: Get rid of our tour manager Mark - that's the first thing!
Mark (the tour manager!): You haven't gotta wait 12 months!
(Group laughs)
Kingsland Road will be performing at the following locations on the following dates:
Friday November 22 - London - Urban Music Awards
Saturday November 23 - Cardiff - Pulse
Saturday November 30 - Paignton - Christmas Light Switch On
Sunday December 1 - London - Soccer Six
Saturday December 7 - Birmingham - The Clothes Show