‘ Feel- good music for the inner void’ fans?

SONS Of Bill make a welcome return to Nottingham this month. Fans can expect roots music with an elegant and restrained sound from central Virginia’s band of brothers along with dancey rhythms and dreamy, hook-filled pyrotechnics. Sam Wilson, James Wilson, Abe Wilson, Seth Green and Todd Wellons chat to SUE ATKINSON ahead of the gig.

How do you describe your music?

Good music? One of my friends called it “Goth Country for the over educated” – I don’t hate that. Or perhaps “Feel-good music for the inner void?” I’d like to think its lyrically focused rock music with deep roots in all sorts of places.

Who is Bill and what’s his importance in your music?

My dad taught us that music wasn’t just pleasurable – it was important. He was a singer and a lover of songs and he gave us a deep sense at a young age of what made a song moving, beautiful, or worth singing. We’ve played all kinds of music throughout our lives, but that sentiment has stuck with us. Music is important – approach it with wonder and caution.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

The good life and the loneliness of the galaxies.

You’ve had a number of challenges in your lives, how does music support and sustain you?

When life is good, music should make it all just a little bit better, and when life is hard music should make it all just a little more endurable.

What would you like the audience to take away from your shows?

A good show should make a connection – between the band and the audience, but also just everyone in the room. If a band can’t do that then they haven’t done their job.

■ Sons Of Bill will perform at Nottingham’s Rescue Rooms on Sunday. Tickets are priced at £11 and can be purchased from seetickets.com.