Photo: Moja

“Every year that we release a new record, we’re further and further away from being the hot new thing,” Maxïmo Park vocalist Paul Smith says with a laugh. Almost 20 years on from their debut, the Newcastle indie-rockers can reflect on becoming one of UK’s most consistent and recognisable bands, even if they have to work for it each and every day. “There are more and more new bands,” Smith continues. “Unless we do something controversial to go viral in some way, we’ll always be battling as an independent band to be heard. It keeps you on your toes.”