WHEN Kris Leonard from Viola Beach speaks to Weekend he is at a studio in London.

The former Lymm High School pupil is recording new tracks with his Warrington band at The Church Studios in Crouch End.

It was recently used by U2 who recorded parts of their Songs of Innocence album there and the four-piece are working with Communion Records founder Ian Grimble, who is Mumford and Sons' producer.

Suffice to say it has been an incredible year for 19-year-old Kris who was a cleaner before he was discovered by BBC Introducing.

Since then they have played at Reading and Leeds Festival, had their single Swings and Waterslides featured on Formula One and have been described as the next big thing.

Kris said: "It’s humbling but we’ve not had time to stop and think about it to be honest. We’re always busy but that’s how we like it."

Viola Beach also supported The Courteeners on three of their three UK tour dates, including a Manchester Apollo show.

Kris, of Salisbury Street, added: "It was a bit surreal, especially to play at the Apollo. It was a milestone because I’ve seen lots of bands there.

"It’s a prestigious venue and only so many bands get to play there especially at our age so it was an honour.

"I’ve always wanted to support the Courteeners. My inner 14-year-old was screaming out. But I had to keep my cool when I met them.

"They were nice guys and we got a good reaction from the crowd.

"Their frontman Liam Fray said we reminded him of them back when they started because we were carrying our own gear on stage and everything.

"He’d heard our song on the radio and that’s why he asked us to support them so that was pretty amazing.

"It is strange to have come this far in a year. We weren't too nervous when we were on stage but it hit us beforehand especially in Leicester when we were thinking: ‘This is was a bit mad. How did we get here?’"

That mad journey started, of all places, in Warrington Guardian's office toilets in Bridge Street.

He was cleaning the toilets when a friend sent him a text about BBC Introducing, the support service for undiscovered and unsigned artists.

Kris uploaded one of his band's tracks called Love My Love then and there.

Now Viola Beach are returning to Warrington for their first hometown headline show at the Pyramid on March 12.

He said: "We’re really excited to be back on home turf for a headline show. It’ll be good for our mates who don’t get to see us that often.

"We only played Leeds and Reading Festival a few months ago and I don’t know where the time has gone. It’s been insane."

Kris said his highlight has been the band's session for BBC Radio 1 at Maida Vale.

He added: "That was surreal because it wasn’t just one song being played on the radio, we had an interview and they played three or four songs and then played them again throughout the week."

- Viola Beach play at the Pyramid on March 12. Tickets are on sale now. Visit gigsandtours.com

DAVID MORGAN