On the front foot: The Academic

By taking a cautious approach and being in no rush to sign up to the first label that came knocking, The Academic have dealt with the music industry on their own terms, writes Tony Clayton-Lea

The Academic: ‘We were learning the ropes, and we were very much aware of our age’

The difference that five years can make in the life of a pop group is perhaps best exemplified by the fact that in a few weeks’ time, Co Westmeath’s the Academic will be traipsing across America on their debut headline tour for their new album Tales From The Backseat.

Rewind to 2013, and the four members of the band had either sat or were studying for the Leaving Cert. A short time before ...