Since earning a Mercury Music Prize nomination and the success of their hit single Wires propelling them to the top of the UK charts, Athlete have been recognised as a leading creators of experimental indie rock.

But it has not tempted the foursome, comprising of Carey Willets (bass), Joel Pott (vocals, guitar), Steve Roberts (drums), and Tim Wanstall (keyboards), to rest on their laurels.

The band is set for a busy summer playing 34 gigs all over the country, which includes stopping in Surrey to play the Guilfest music festival.

And they are also set to release their fourth album at the end of the summer, which they are busy recording at the moment.

"It's not an amazing departure for Athlete," says Wanstall, of the album. "They are just good tunes really, which is something we have been known for in the past."

One tune in particular that has earmarked the band's song writing skills in the past is Wires.

The poignant track was inspired by frontman Joel Pott's own experience when his newborn daughter was seriously ill and taken to intensive care.

"I think Wires was definitely a standout moment when we felt on a different level," says Wanstall.

"There were other things before that - like when our first album got nominated for a Mercury Music Prize.

"I think that was a massive moment for us, in fact in some ways, I think that was a bigger moment for us than what happened with Wires, because that really put us on the map as a new band.

"It made a difference to people's awareness of us and more people came to see us play live.

"I think if that hadn't happened we might not have been in the position we were in when we turned up with Wires – as it meant it got its chance and was played on the radio and things."

But the massive impact of the track, which has frequented radio play-lists since its release in 2005, has not been taken lightly by the band.

"It's one of those songs that people remember even now. We got a lift back in a taxi and the driver didn't recognise us and he said 'What are you up to tonight?' and we say 'oh we're just going to the university, and he says 'oh yeah there's a gig on tonight – that band Athlete are playing.'

"And obviously we were too embarrassed to say yeah that's us, but he says 'yeah they've got this great song Wires' and he starts talking about how it means so much to him because one of his kids had been born prematurely around the time that the song came out.

"And for me things like that are really, really special. It's amazing when you have done something creatively and it means so much to people.

"You are always hoping something like that can be repeated but it's not something you can manufacture.

"We're not trying to craft a hit on that level again because that would be looking at it like it's a science, and it's not."

With their heartfelt lyrics and experimental approach to music-making Athlete have sometimes been cast as a "serious band".

"I suppose we became known for our serious side after Wires," says Wanstall. "It's funny because when we released the album previous to that [Vehicles & Animals] people talked about us being quite tongue in cheek.

"A lot of our tunes have a story in them that is firmly rooted in our own lives. I think when you are doing the big tunes and its quite emotive sounding music it just doesn't wash with people, if what you are singing about isn't something that means something to you - but you don't want to get into the territory of pulling puppet strings, which is not what it's about."

The band, who hail from Deptford, also watched each other grow up. They released their first single in 2002, but have been playing together since their teens.

"We all drifted together through a love of music and got more and more serious as time went on and its been going on near 15 years now," says Wanstall, now 32.

"We are still good friends but I think we have our moments for sure – it's almost like having another marriage, constantly making decisions together.

"When we are not working, a couple of us have families. So there is music, family and drinking and that's it really."

Before Wanstall rushes off I have to ask why the band chose the somewhat "un-musical" name Athlete.

"Hmmm", ponders Wanstall, "Very good question, why did we choose the name Athlete? At which point a laughing Carey Willets interjects "because I'm so fit and good looking."

Wanstall stops laughing to add: "All I can remember is, when we were choosing band names it was about the time that The Strokes took off and everyone was called 'The' something and I think someone had a vague idea of something that was a bit more like a sports team name, than your classic band name and one thing came to another and we chose Athlete."

It's not because you're really hard working then?

"We are actually more hardworking than any another band I know."

Nicole Le Marie

●Athlete play the main stage at the Guilfest music festival in Stoke Park, Guildford, on Saturday, July 11.

Guilfest runs from Friday, July 10 to Sunday, July 11. For tickets, from £40 for Friday to £110 for the weekend with camping (adult prices), call 0871 424 0050 or log on to www.guilfest.co.uk.