IF 2014 could be classed as anything for psychedelic troupe Childhood, it would be a year of growth.

The four-piece’s rapid ascent to the echelons of critical acclaim hasn’t faltered since forming in 2010 and this year saw the release of sublime debut Lacuna; an album chockfull of ideas and influences stemming from the baggy beats of The Stone Roses and Happy Mondays to the anthemic charms of The Verve.

Now the London via Nottingham band are embarking on their biggest tour yet and grace Southampton’s famous venue The Joiners on October 7.

Frontman and guitarist Ben Romans-Hopcraft took time out from working on new material to discuss the band’s excitement ahead of the tour.

“We are just having a bit of downtime ahead of the tour – we are excited for it”, said the 24-year-old.

“It has been a pretty full-on year for us. I’ve never really taken anything seriously with the band, and still don’t. It’s not intentional but we never thought we would end up where we have ended up.

“The tour is going to be ridiculous. I’m really a studio type of guy, usually working in the basement making tunes and beats, so I have to access a new mindset on tour – it’s constantly surreal.

“The Joiners is a great place to play. It’s definitely a hot pot and it’s one of those gigs where you think ‘oh, we are actually playing there ourselves’”.

Ben formed Childhood with friend Leo Dobsen while they were at Nottingham Univeristy. They came together over a shared love for psychedelic and guitar music before bringing in Daniel Salamons on bass and Jonny Williams on drums.

Ben said the band likes to throw in a few surprises at their gigs to keep things fresh on tour.

He said: “There is a lot of changing up on the set lists and we are not one of those bands that have a set list at the beginning of the tour and that’s it. If we go into autopilot we get complacent. We always like to think we are putting ourselves out there live for people to engage with us. We sometimes delve into punk but sometimes we hold it back.”

Ben also revealed he is working on solo material and collaborations, but remained tight-lipped over who he is working with.

He added: “The reception to our album has been good. Reception is one thing but we really see the reaction on tour when we play it – that’s what matters most.”

Tickets for Childhood at The Joiners in St Mary Street are available from joiners.vticket.co.uk.

WIN your chance to meet the band!

TO be in with a chance of watching Childhood with a friend, meeting the band, and being the proud recipient of a Childhood T-shirt, answer this question.

What is the name of Childhood’s debut album?

Send your answers by post to Childhood competition, Southern Daily Echo, Newspaper House, Test Lane, Redbridge, SO16 9JX or e-mail rory.mckeown@dailyecho.co.uk by Friday, October 3.