ANIMAL Noise are back with a new release and another mouthwatering gig at the Colchester Arts Centre.

In recent years the trio have been flying the flag nationally and internationally for the Colchester music scene with gigs all over Europe and at some of the country's biggest festivals including T in the Park and Bestival.

Now they're back, fresh from signing a new management deal, with their latest EP, Sink or Swim, and a whole raft of up-coming gigs.

Birdy (bass/vocals) and Jack (drums) have been playing in local bands for more than 15 years after meeting on the Colchester Institute’s access to music course.

They met Josh (guitars/vocals) through friends and, after discovering shared musical interests, started the band.

They gigged together for five years before releasing their debut album, Run Loose, in 2012, to huge acclaim.

It wasn’t long before Tom Robinson, of BBC 6, Music was calling them up to do a session, and it was during the recording, they were persuaded to release the barnstorming single, Baddow.

Things then went a little crazy with a whole week of airplay on Radio One, getting aired on shows such as Greg James, Huw Stephens, Sara Cox and Scot Mills, and then a slot at 2013’s T in the Park.

Jack says: "As well as the management deal with Liquid we are now on the live roster for This Is Now Agency and it has made so much difference. Before it was always us organising everything from gigs to merchandise and publicity but now we have someone else running it, we've been able to concentrate on the music.

"Liquid also act for Public Service Broadcasting who recently sold out Brixton Academy. That's the kind of people we are working with now and that's very exciting."

Back working with producer Tom Donovan, the four-track Sink or Swim came out last week on Liquid's own record label.

Tracks from the new release, recorded at Tom’s studio, in Rowhedge, will no doubt get a good airing at the Colchester Arts Centre gig later this month but as Jack says it's the first of several being lined-up for release.

"The plan is to release two or three this year," he adds, "and as well as the arts centre gig we have a gig in London, a support slot with Three Track Tigers in Brighton and of course some exciting festival slots, which we can't talk about just yet.

"There's also another tour planned for the autumn so it's going to be a busy year."

With support from Rad Pitt and Fishclaw, Animal Noise play the Colchester Arts Centre on April 29. Doors open at 7.30pm and tickets are £10 and £8 for concessions, available in advance on 01206 500900 or on-line at www.colchesterartscentre.com