This L.A. band makes pitch-perfect indie-pop, combining the summery optimism -- and handclaps -- of classic influences such as the Zombies and Beach Boys, with the winsome energy, off-kilter inventiveness and bittersweet feel of contemporary acts like the Shins. This past year they nabbed the opening slot for a long tour with the Kaiser Chiefs, one of the biggest tours of the year in the U.K. And soon they release their debut LP, Morning Tide.

You've been touring so much lately. Have you figured out the best snack food for the road?

We developed a real döner kebab habit when we initially toured in the U.K. I think we kind of used them as a burrito substitute. We have transitioned into health freaks now -- though we still love a good curry.

Have any nightmarish situations on the road?

I burned my fingers on a lamp after playing a show. Apparently there was smoke coming from my burning skin and I didn't even notice until a friend said, “Mate, your hand's on fire.” I had to dress the wounds myself.

But there must also have been moments when you thought, Man this is the best job,' eh?

That happened somewhere in Britain. We were abroad, taking a ferry ride and watching the sun set from the deck of the ship as we were on our way to a gig. We definitely had that realization that this is the best job in the world.

With all your recent travels, what's your favorite place on earth?

I'd say the band consensus is any clean bathroom.

Do you guys have a pre-game ritual before shows?

We haven't developed anything like that as a group. Though I must say it's nice to brush your teeth and put on a clean pair of socks before you take the stage. World of difference.

With all the changes in the industry, what do you use as a gauge of success?

As far as hearing your songs on radio or TV, it's exciting but you become numb to it. The one thing that always resonates within the band is an email from a fan telling you your song got them through a day. That's huge. It goes back to the symbiotic relationship between player and listener. The two of you are now cosmically intertwined for that day. How can it get cooler than that? That beats playing Wembley Stadium any day.

Did any visual artists influence your t-shirt design?

The band is very close to San Francisco, CA artist Robert Francisco. When it came to the T-shirt design, we naturally wanted to work with him. He is really talented at creating and manipulating images to communicate a certain feeling. We were very successful in melding the fun and joy aspect with the idea of a "Heavy Hearts Brigade."