INDIE

They’re not going to teach your boyfriend how to dance with you, but tipped-for-greatness combo Black Kids are hellbent on entertaining the Tut’s crowd as part of their UK and Europe-wide tour.

Speaking from the back of a tour bus making its way across the States, keyboard player, vocalist and former substitute teacher Ali Youngblood has a philosophical take on whether they can live up to the frenzied hype surrounding them.

‘It’s a little worrying,’ she says, ‘but you just have to step it up, and the intentions are not bad.’ The group, from Jacksonville, Florida, have been recording with Bernard Butler, and the erstwhile Suede guitarist is currently working his magic at the mixing desk.

‘It was a dream for us to work with him,’ she says. ‘It’s been awesome.’

Ali’s highlights so far including touring with Cut Copy (‘that was pretty fun’) and the Coachella festival, but does being in a band with her brother Reggie, who sings and plays guitar, cause any tension?

‘We argue about who’s the prettiest,’ she says wryly. And who wins? ‘I don’t let him win. I refuse to.’ But the glass certainly seems to be half full from where she’s sitting. ‘Are we a party band? I hope so,’ she laughs. ‘We try. We’re always having a laugh and I just love playing music, getting on stage and being together. It’s been pretty good and we just want to stay around for a long, long time.’