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8th May 2015
04:20pm BST

"It happened really quick, even though parts of it felt really slow because we spent so much time together! On the last tour in Feb/March, the response to the songs was incredible," said Rory.
"We went from people kinda knowing one or two of the songs to having this strong fan following, which is what you aim for as a musician.
"I'm not going to lie, we were upset that we didn't win the BBC award but we were told that just to be nominated is amazing. I mean, there's people on there that have won MOBO awards. We were quite honoured to be on it."
The band's guitar-driven pop sound and Rory's gravel-edged vocal have drawn comparisons with everyone from Brandon Flowers to Kings Of Leon and while Rory says he can't quite hear the similarities, he says he is more than happy to be placed in the same league as Caleb Followill.
"I've been a fan of Kings Of Leon for a long time but when people mention them as a comparison, I don't know why, I just don't hear it! Maybe it's a tone thing but I take it as a compliment... it's mad, to be compared to them is definitely not a bad thing!
"I think we have a different vibe that we're bringing to it. You could get precious about it and argue 'oh we're different' but I take it as a massive compliment. Unless you don't like Kings Of Leon of course!"
As someone whose career was launched on the back of social media buzz, Rory is predictable enthusiastic about the role of streaming in modern music and says that artists have to "change with the times" and embrace the new model available to them
"I know there's a massive controversy about streaming in music but a lot of our music is getting heard because of that, which we are very proud of and grateful for.
"There's a tune we hadn't even released to radio called On The Road and I remember checking on Spotify and I couldn't believe the number of views on that one song. I remember people saying 'I wake up to that song every morning on Spotify' and you're like 'OK, woah!'.
"If you're an independent artist and you're not signed, you can get yourself out there. If you're doing good music and people like it, the social media world will respond.
"If they don't like it, they'll probably respond as well! I'm all for it. If people get our songs off Spotify, they're hopefully going to come to the gigs... that's the aim!"
The upcoming album was recorded during a six-week stint in Nashville (during which they were gutted to miss the chance to visit Dollywood) but first, there's the small matter of their debut Irish gig at Whelan's tomorrow night (Saturday May 9th).
Rory reveals that it will be his first trip to Dublin and the band are still enjoying the buzz of the tour.
"We love it. To be honest, there are times where you think 'I've been in a band for a long time, I'd love to sleep in a real bed' but on the other hand, you could be complaining about a 9-5 job somewhere else.
"On the European tour, every date was somewhere I'd never been before and it's just so enjoyable to play with the buzz that's around us right now.
"I've never been to Dublin. I always hear good things so I'm really looking forward to it! It's quite nice to say that being in a band is our job now, it's amazing."
Sunset Sons play Whelan's on Saturday May 9th. Tickets priced at €13 are available here.Explore more on these topics:

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