WITH exquisite harmonies and a sound that blends folk, country and rock it’s easy to easy why Cattle and Cane’s debut tour at the back end of last year saw sold out signs going up at venues around the UK.

Now the Teeside five-piece are heading off around the country on their biggest headline tour including a date at King George’s Hall, Blackburn, next Friday night.

Cattle and Cane are a real family affair boasting siblings Joe, Fran, Helen and Vin Hammill plus family friend To Chapman on percussion.

“There are nine siblings in the family in total” said Joe. “Being family does make us really close but it also means that we can be more honest with each other than you might with someone who was just a friend or a band mate.

“Occasionally you can be a bit too honest but it all blows up quickly and then it’s done with just like in any other family.”

The band released their debut album Home last year which was almost five years in the making. But quickly caught the attention of the likes of Radio 6 Music and Radio 2.

“I think from now on we’re trying to be as productive as possible,” said Joe. “The tour will feature the majority of songs from Home but there are also some new songs we are thinking of playing. It’s a good chance to road test material which we think we’d like to use on our second album and get an audience reaction.”

A positive audience reaction is something Cattle and Cane are still getting used to.

“Getting radio play certainly helped boost our profile,” said Joe, “but a lot of people who came to our shows last year didn’t know too much about us.

“But the reactions were fantastic and so many people bought the album at the show which is always a sign that they enjoyed it.

“And then we started seeing the same people coming to shows and they were bringing more and more people with them.”

With each of the band having different musical influences, which have all helped shaped the band’s sound, it’s difficult to categories them.

“Helen loves country music,” said Joe, “and I think there is something about the harmonies in country which we are all drawn too.

“But we also have rock and folk influences in the music.”

On Home Helen’s voice is mainly used in back-up harmonies and Joe acknowledges that perhaps it was underused.

“The live shows and certainly the next album will showcase her voice more," he said.

“I think you need to see the band live to get the proper flavour of where we are now and where we’re heading.

“We still find it difficult to get our heads round the receptions we’re getting at the shows and the reaction from the fans.

Cattle and Cane, King George’s Hall, Blackburn, Friday, February 19. Details from 0844 847 1664.