ASK most bands whether it matters where they are from and they'll probably say geography has little to do with musical outcome.
But for Hot Club de Paris – the Gallic-monikered band with the Mersey upbringing – recording far from home aided where their album went.
Live At Dead Lake was recorded during a seven-week stint in Chicago with producer Brian Deck who helped the trio construct the record they'd been hearing in their heads since they first conspired four years ago.
"It made no sense to make the record in the UK as much of the music we're influenced and inspired by is written and recorded in America," says Matthew Smith, recently voted number 12 in Guitar World's Most Gnarl-Bucket Axemen list.
"We wanted the sound of an American indie rock record, and that's exactly what we got."
Prime example is this week released new single My Little Haunting, second take from the album; it harnesses colours and clamour from early US punk like The Minutemen, as well as indie and math bands from the mid '90s like Don Caballero, Joan Of Arc, Polvo, Pavement and Modest Mouse.
"We love to listen to those records, but we're influenced and inspired by everything around us, not just that stuff," says drummer Alasdair Smith.
"Making music should be a challenge and should completely engage you, so making carbon copies of other people's records totally isn't something we'd do. Hot Club de Paris is the product of everything we experience."
Topped with Paul Rafferty's often natty lyrics, the whole rock-guided groove experience adds up to a Red Bull lift without the indigestion and songs that appear to be travelling well around 27 UK towns and cities.
That includes a timely return to The Leadmill on Wednesday.
While the album offers an enticing experimental gait, it is the pop stance of My Little Haunting that will have them bouncing.
Don't just home in on the music, though.
"Everybody has someone in their past that still retains influence over choices and options, no matter how much time has passed since you were involved with one another," adds singer/bass player Paul of the single.
"There's always a ghost of some old relationship haunting your doorway, but it would be weird if there wasn't. It's not a sad song, but it's about the sadness we all need to reflect upon before we move on again and again, but with a bit of slapstick thrown in.
"Falling over and dusting yourself off is of paramount importance when figuring out how to best navigate your life."
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FeaturesMore Rotherham newsMore Doncaster newsMore Barnsley newsCheck out the very latest on South Yorkshire's roads - including live traffic cameras on Sheffield's commuter routes - with our Traffic sectionLatest sport.The full article contains 490 words and appears in Sheffield Star newspaper.
