THE Magic Numbers are a band that defy expectation. Their meteoric rise in such a short space of time has been nothing short of amazing, and has nothing to do with clever marketing, but simply fantastic songs.

The band from Ealing recently picked up a Mercury Music prize nomination, plus a best newcomer award from Mojo magazine and, with crowds eating out of their hands at their festival appearances in the summer, (and a guest appearance at the Cambridge Trinity ball, no less,) their self-titled album reached platinum sales in September.

Comprising the songwriting and guitar playing talents of singer Romeo, his sister Michelle on bass, drummer Sean and his sister Angela on percussion, vocals and melodica, the Magic Numbers are a mish-mash of styles, influences and backgrounds.

Drawing inspiration from a range of artists like Cohen and Dylan to the Mama & Papas and David Axelrod, the Magic Numbers are a blend of the classic and progressive, and their success is testament to their originality.

Born and raised in Trinidad where his mother had her own opera show on TV Romeo and his family moved to New York when he was a teenager and later moved again to Ealing in London.

There he and his sister met the rest of the band and started making music.

The band are set to play the Carling New Kings night at the Carling Academy in Islington on Thursday, January 12, which features some of the biggest new acts of 2005 all under the one roof.

The Magic Numbers will line up with Hard-Fi and Graham Coxon in an exclusive one-off night of adrenaline-fuelled music.

The gig will also be filmed live on the night and Channel 4 will be broadcasting three separate rockumentaries in February.

To kick off the new year in style, The Ealing Times is offering you and a friend the chance to win exclusive tickets to see three of the hottest bands of 2005. All you have to do is answer this simple question: Magic Numbers recently claimed their all-time king of music is:
A) Jonny Cash
B) Robbie Williams
C) Peter Andre

Send your answers to Ben Moore-Bridger, Magic Numbers competition, Ealing Times, Loudwater Mill, Station Road, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP10 9TY, by December 22, 2005. Normal Free Press and Times rules apply.

All entrants and their guests must be over 18 years old.

Unsuccessful applicants can log on to www.carling.com for tickets