Kodaline like to think they have a "biker seal of approval".
The Irish indie group – picked to be showcased as one of iTunes New Artists of 2013 – played a gig in a biker bar early in their career, and although they found it tough, look back at it as a victory.
The band’s Stephen Garrigan told BANG Showbiz: "We played a tiny venue in Cork, it was called Fred Zeppelin’s. There was a metal band downstairs and it was kind of a biker bar. At the height of our set there were about 10 people watching us.
"Every so often one of the big bikers would walk up, have a look, then shake their heads and be like, ‘nah’.
"We were still finding our feet, but that show was also so f***ing loud. We had to work pretty hard, but we’d like to think we’ve got a biker seal of approval now."
The band – which also includes Vinnie May Jr., Jason Boland and Mark Prendergast – are preparing to release their debut album next year, and admit being worried how it will be received.
Jason added: "The album comes out in March, we’ll be nervous all that week."
Vinnie added: "We will s**t ourselves!"
Also included on the iTunes New Artists of 2013 list are Azealia Banks, Bastille, Daughter, Disclosure, Foxes, Gabrielle Aplin, HAIM, Laura Mvula, Rudimental, Syron and The 1975.