THEY’RE David Bowie’s new favourite band and have just finished touring with Snow Patrol.

Now Fanfarlo are about to demonstrate why they are attracting such a prestigious line-up of fans with a gig at the Colchester Arts Centre this weekend.

Following on from the release of their debut album, Reservoir, the five-piece have been promoting it with a lengthy tour across the country, but it appears the unsigned band have already attracted some top admirers.

David Bowie is quoted as saying: “I’ve heard four or five of Fanfarlo’s songs now and, like a few of my other favourites, they have that particular knack of being able to create uplifting music that’s blessed with a delicious melancholia at the same time.”

Despite grateful of the compliment, Simon Balthazar, who writes and sings mostly everything in Fanfarlo, would beg to differ.

He said: “I don’t think of our music as melancholy, but a lot of our songs have a dark side to them, especially lyrically.

“I’ve always been drawn to music with a sinister, disturbing edge.”

Perhaps this has something to do with growing up among the melancholy trees and lakes of suburban Gothenburg in Sweden.

He added: “I’ve been in London for a few years. Even though I’m sure growing up in Sweden had some impact on my music, I think London has more of an impact. Butmainly I listen to American and Canadian music anyway.”

This explains why the band went stateside to record their album.

Reservoir was made over a month and a half with Peter Katis at his home studio in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

The band chose Peter because of the great sound he got on the National and Interpol albums, and it turned out to be a pretty good choice. Simon said: “It was very rewarding to go away and record our album in the isolation of an American small town.

“Peter is a great producer. His studio is in this fantastic big old house. Each weekend we’d take a break and go to New York and see some great shows in Brooklyn.”

As well as Simon, Fanfarlo consists of Cathy Lucas (violin, keyboard, vox), Justin Finch (bass), Amos Memon (drums) and Leon Beckenham (trumpet, keyboard).

They play Colchester Arts Centre on Sunday. Doors open at 7pm and to book tickets, priced £6, call 01206 500900 or go online at www.colchesterartscentre.com