They've been likened to early Coldplay, Smashing Pumpkins and even Sigur Ros, but Animal Kingdom's Richard Sauberlich reckons he cannot see the connection. "We've got a few slow songs on a piano – that seems to be enough," he laughs. But this link seems to be having a positive effect over in the states, where Chris Martin and co have God-like status. "It's quite hard to grasp because we're over here, but we won the i-Tunes Best New Band award over there and one of our songs has been used on this HBO programme, so it seems to be going well. We've not played over there yet though, so we're gagging to get out there and travel around, doing some shows. America's like this mythical place for British bands, as here is for American bands. It's something we really want to do this year."

Their debut album Signs and Wonders was released last year. Recorded in Seattle with Phil Ek, who also worked his magic on recent releases by Fleet Foxes, The Shins and Les Savy Fav, it blends catchy pop hooks with soaring, heart wrenching atmospherics. And it's not just a producer they've been sharing with indie royalty – they've also shared a stage with some huge names, with support slots for the likes of Vampire Weekend, Snow Patrol and Silversun Pickups under their belts. "It was great to play with them. You can only really tell how many fans you've picked up at these shows when you play your own shows and they come up and talk to you, and we have had people coming back again and again, so that's reassuring!"

So if they shrug off the Coldplay references, who do they consider to be their influences? "I've been listening to a lot of Bright Eyes lately, and Midlake," says Richard. "But we all listen to a ton of different stuff and I think we bring all that to the band."

Their Borderline show will be the band's home coming show – the quintet live in Crouch End, Muswell Hill and Greenwich. "We're looking forward to playing there – we've heard it's been done up, so we're keen to see it. There are so many great venues in London – The Luminaire, The Borderline and Shepherd's Bush Empire are probably my favourites." How will they make the most of playing at one of their favourite venues? "We're going to play a couple of new songs and a song or two from the album that we don't usually put in sets...it'll be 12 Animal Kingdom songs that people really need to hear!"

Animal Kingdom play at The Borderline, W1, on February 23. Tickets cost £6 from www.ticketweb.co.uk