"WE'VE COME FACE TO FACE WITH A MUSICAL REVELATION AND THERE'S NO WAY WE'RE GOING BACK NOW."Exclaims Thomas McMaster, lead vocalist behind the hit duo Oneiric, sat before me stroking his swanky facial hair and dressed like he's just come straight from Exeter's Royal Albert Memorial Museum. "We've been working on something, and it's something big. It's going to change everything."Reluctant to tell us too much about the upcoming album, McMaster is sitting in the studio before me and smiling widely. "Hart and I have been experimenting with a new variety of sounds and synthesisers; we don't think anyone will have heard anything like it before. We've come face to face with a musical revelation and there's no way we're going back now."

The album, to be entitled 'Minerva', is set to be released this July; speculations and quivers of excitement have been spreading rapidly amidst indietronic fans across Britain and Europe. Rumour has it that the album - aptly named after the Roman goddess of wisdom - will feature twelve tracks that will explore McMaster's history with insomnia and self-discovery. This is why we're ecstatic to have him here today, on a once-in-a-blue-moon disclosure.

What are the musical influences behind 'Minerva'?

"A lot of the sounds are completely new to us! We didn't what we were doing or who we're supposed to be competing with. I think the album can draw various similarities to the genius of David Byrne as well as LCD Soundsystem, who have been a massive influence on my musical production right the way from 'Petrichor' to 'Minerva'. I mean, it's Hart who produces most of the sounds, he approaches every new

piece thinking "where am I walking to whilst this song is playing?" or "what video game might this be the backing track to?""

There are 12 tracks on the new album. Can we expect to see recurring themes or ideas within them?

"I've released the news on Facebook and Twitter that 'Minerva' will shed a light on my struggle with insomnia. Hopefully you'll understand the story that is being told throughout the tracks and be able to piece it together. Uncovered simply through lyrics of self-discovery and Hart's kicking keyboard skills, you'll hear times when we're philosophical, times when we're emotional, and times when we reflect on the sucky nature of reality and just don't seem to give a shit."

How about the general tone of the album, then? What can we expect?

"It's electronic and upbeat, but it'll be more than that. To paraphrase one of my favourite films, "nobody will know that they hear it, but they will." There's a deep meaning to everything Hart and I write, to put it simply. 'Minerva' will be a completely different experience if you listen to it in the club than if you listen to it walking through the pouring rain on your way home from the same night out. Put it with 'Hey Ya!' or 'Pumped up Kicks' by Foster the People. It won't all be grim though; there is no progress and motivation in melancholy."

Is there anywhere that you're hoping the album will take you on your upcoming tour?

"Call me a Baggins if you will but I'm always up for a new adventure. Hart wants to go to Japan at some point, which I would definitely be down for -

the simple idea of their culture makes me swoon! I don't know if we would make it that far but I'm sure we can find a way. Either way, we want to take Oneiric around the globe; Europe knows the potential we've got to offer; now 'Minerva' is going to tell the rest of the world."

Will you be collaborating with any other artists, on the album itself or whilst on tour?

"We've got people we want to work with and we've got people who want to work with us. There are some names that I really admire ready for the tour, which Hart and I are really excited about, but nobody on the actual album. Unfortunately for you, we've decided to go for a completely secret approach, where you won't know until it's actually happening. I'll tell you this, though - so stop giving me that look! - one or two of the many speculations flying round have been pretty spot on. Be prepared for something breathtaking."

On a similar note, is there anyone that you want to collaborate with in the future?

"We've been following the gradual release of 'Kindred' which Passion Pit are releasing this year. Michael Angelakos is definitely my man-crush; working with him and his team would just about make my life complete. Alternatively, we're ready to sit and have a cup of tea, biscuits, and an awesome gig with Q Lazzarus, if she isn't too busy driving cabs round New York City. If Hart were here (alas, he's too busy on a date in Durham with his bass guitar and a chip cob) he would probably want me to mention The Magnetic Fields... Any band with a female drummer is a band we want to work with."

And so ends our short fling with Thomas McMaster, who is now sprawled out on a couch for two, as effervescent as always. His group's album, entitled 'Minerva', is to be released in four months time, and immediately followed by a tour across Europe and potentially further. Oneiric are on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and the progression of the group can be followed on any of the aforementioned social networks, as well as their own website. Their existing songs from the albums 'Petrichor', 'The Eccedentiasts', and 'Hanging Dreams' can be found on their YouTube channel.