The addition of new bassist Gavin Fox and second guitarist Allan Stewart, the time spent touring America’s stadia with Pearl Jam, and singer Roddy Woomble’s current residency in New York’s East Village, have all been contributory factors to the band’s revitalisation, and with ‘Warnings/Promises’ out this week, and an extensive April tour lined up, busy times are ahead. Even so, Roddy found a quiet moment to answer a few questions I emailed him, his short and sweet answers handwritten and scanned back.

SXP: You’ve been too long away. How have you filled your days?

Roddy: Travelling, writing and recording, drinking, reading, swimming, sleeping, laughing.

SXP: This is your first album written as a 5-piece. How was the process compared to the last one? Did it allow greater scope?

Roddy: We had no idea, and in the confusion we found the perfect way.

SXP: Storytelling is obviously close to your heart.

Roddy: We’re all part of a story, so yes. It’s the most important thing.

SXP: Allan played second guitar live anyway, but what does the new lineup mean to Idlewild?

Roddy: It makes us better musically and psychologically.

SXP: Flavour of the month is art rock. Is there still a place for Idlewild?

Roddy: Well, I like art, and I like rock, so yes.

SXP: Have any new bands taken your fancy?

Roddy: I like Sons And Daughters. (Who support Idlewild on the forthcoming UK tour.)

SXP: You’ve taken giant leaps since ‘Captain’ and some can’t get past the loss of that early punkiness. Have your fans evolved with you, or have you lost one set and gained another?

Roddy: A mixture of the above. The important thing is we’ve changed for the better.

SXP: America seems to accept you more readily in some ways. What’s your US appeal?

Roddy: We’re good. We have something to say. We’ve not been hyped.

SXP: Why return with an acoustic mini tour?

Roddy: Pure pleasure principle.

SXP: Does playing acoustically allow more freedom in some ways, more expressiveness?

Roddy: It’s all about wooden things. Fairy lights, wine and harmony.

SXP: How did people react to the new material in that setting?

Roddy: I think it was a mixture of surprise and love.

SXP: How long will you tour the album; are you taking in anywhere new?

Roddy: For as long as we can. All over the world. Everywhere.

SXP: Finally, what can we expect for the electric tour?