IT’S been an extraordinary twelve months for Manchester’s GoGo Penguin.

They’ve been touring the world to increasingly large and absurdly enthusiastic audiences, and a first foray to America saw sold out shows and a double-standing ovation at the Rochester Jazz Festival in New York.

And, in between, they signed up on a multi-album deal with Blue Note Records, the most famous jazz label on the planet.

“It went into orbit last year, our feet have never touched the ground,” said pianist Chris Illingworth, who will celebrate a city homecoming for GoGo Penguin at the Band on the Wall next weekend.

“It has been relentless, exhausting and exhilarating, and joining Blue Note has changed our lives.

“About 18 months ago our manager had a five year plan, but here we are in less than two years.”

Chris, who studied classical music at the Royal Northern College of Music, adds: “And all this is very humbling, you know, getting that deep appreciation and recognition for our work in that short space of time.”

Their trademark mash-up of minimalist piano themes, deeply propulsive bass lines and electronica inspired drums saw their previous album v2.0 shortlisted for the Mercury Music Prize.

Their latest offering, released this month, is called Man Made Object and it’s the sound of a band confidently pursuing their own path.

“The title is partly inspired by my fascination with ideas of robotics and human augmentation,” added Chris.

“Like when someone loses a limb and it’s replaced by a prosthetic.

“Sometimes that prosthetic ends up becoming so lifelike, so integrated into the body, that the person actually starts to imagine sensation and touch.

“And, in a weird way, that resonates with what we’re doing.

“We’re recreating electronic music on acoustic instruments that are wood and metal.

“It’s like a man-made object that has become humanized, and it seemed like a good album title, one that also means something different to each of us, and hopefully to each listener.”

Although they are an acoustic band, Go Go Penguin’s music draws from many areas of contemporary electronic music, one where you can hear arcade game bleeps, glitchy breakbeats, and hypnotic Aphex-style melodies and grinding bass lines.

The album, like its predecessor, was completed at 80hz in Newton Heath, with GoGo Penguin having already established strong ties with Manchester’s jazz scene.

Their first two albums were released through their friend Matthew Halsall’s Gondwana Records, while bassist Nick Blacka and drummer Rob Turner cut their teeth playing at the intimate Matt and Phred’s jazz venue in the Northern Quarter.

GoGo Penguin, Band on the Wall, Manchester, Saturday, February 20 and Sunday, February 21. Details from 0161 834 1786.