Out of left field

The Brummy multi-instrumentalist had long ago acquired a reputation as a somewhat quirky artist, composing avant-garde electronic creations, at the bottom of his Warwickshire garden.

He soon realised he needed a band to give full voice to his creations, and went about putting it together last autumn. But it was his choice of musicians that got people talking.

The band's keyboard player Thorunn comes from Iceland, where her father was the composer of the national anthem and she previously made a living as a voice-over artist specialising in pixie and elf voices. Drummer Henry's dad played at Woodstock with the Grease Band, and allegedly has the largest collection of hats of any percussionist in the UK. Bass Player Matty was, until recently, an indie celebrity hairdresser, coiffuring the likes of Kylie, Franz Ferdinand and Bloc Party. Lead Guitarist Jamie, meanwhile, has a secret past as a music journalist, and, more importantly for Oxfordshire band watchers, hails from Great Tew, near Chipping Norton.

The band's folk-inspired sound has won favourable comparisons with the likes of Magic Numbers, for its infectious pop harmonies, and Arcade Fire, for its sonic sweep. But it is not as straight forward as that. Fields' music is about as eclectic as it comes, and is virtually impossible to categorise.

On Sunday, Fields play the Zodiac a club Nick has more than a passing knowledge of. "Because Jamie is from Oxfordshire we used to hang out at the Zodiac," he says. And did the band consider a home-village' gig in Great Tew? "Well there is the Falkland Arms, but I don't think our gear would fit in there!" he laughs.

However, north Oxfordshire's folk heritage has rubbed off on the band. "We have picked up on some of the rural influences," Nick says. "A video for one of our songs even had morris dancers in it!"

Fields play the Zodiac on Sunday, supported by Mumm-Ra. Doors open at 7.30pm, tickets are £5 in advance (subject to booking fee).