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When The Magic Numbers played on the top field at Auckland's Big Day Out in January last year it was magical.
Their self-titled debut album was out in New Zealand, but the shaggy and chubby London-based quartet weren't well-known at that stage.
Everything about the band, made up of two sets of siblings, was enchanting - from their heartfelt guitar pop songs to their beaming smiles and hairy, unkempt look. They were so lovable you just wanted to give Romeo and Michele Stodart, and Angela and Sean Gannon a big hug, like the cute wee puppies they are.
Romeo (let's use his first name for this story because he's so friendly), the band's singer, songwriter and guitarist, remembers it well: "It was amazing seeing everyone clapping along and even singing the songs."
The White Stripes, Franz Ferdinand and the Stooges headlined the festival that year but most people who saw the Magic Numbers rated them as the day's highlight. And, unlike the set of the arrogant White Stripes, the simple reason the Magic Numbers were memorable was because they were engaging and friendly.
"We've always liked bands who include the audience in their show, but really we're just trying to be ourselves," says Romeo, in his happy casual tone.
Playing in Australia and New Zealand was something they had always wanted to do and he's looking forward to coming back for a show at the St James next Thursday.
You might notice a change in some of the group - the girls are less shy and, Romeo says, a little lighter than last year - although he confesses he's still the same size as always. "Michele's lost weight and I'm like, 'bastard', 'cause I'm still the same."
He's seen big changes in his sister during the past year and while he still thinks of her as his kid sister who watches "Friends videos in her room", she's now well and truly a rock band bass player.
"She has just grown up so much. She used to be this shy girl, hiding behind her hair. Now she's the proper rock chick."
He's proud - in his typically humble way - of what the band has achieved since they started in 2002. In that time they've supported U2 and Beach Boy Brian Wilson (one of Romeo's heroes), been nominated for the Mercury Prize, Britain's top music award, and released two albums in quick succession.
In contrast to the simplicity of their debut from 2005, which included tranquil songs like The Mule and the adorable debut single Forever Lost, last year's Those the Brokes is more lively and diverse. In typical no-fuss fashion they didn't muck around in releasing it, recording it midway through last year, and then hitting the road again with bands like the Flaming Lips and Sonic Youth to road-test their new tunes.
"People say it sounds just like the Magic Numbers, so I guess that's a compliment," says Romeo, "because I admire musicians who can write songs in different styles, but still sound like, you know, like Bob Dylan - you always know it's Bob Dylan - or Joni Mitchell."
The two girls front up with Michele singing on Take Me Or Leave Me ("She sounds like Joni Mitchell," Romeo says) and Angela taking care of the main vocal on the soulful epic Undecided, which they plan on releasing as a single.
Romeo is enjoying taking more of a back seat and because he's a big Fleetwood Mac fan he likes the mix of vocal styles. Besides, "I just love standing back and playing guitar".
You get the feeling the Magic Numbers are a pretty happy band, and they should be considering how long they've known each other.
The Stodarts grew up in Trinidad ("It was a great place to grow up but sometimes I think it may have had a negative effect, like, 'Oh, I'll do that tomorrow'," Romeo says) but left because of a military coup. They lived with relatives in New York before settling in London when Romeo was 16 and Michele 10.
The Gannons were their neighbours and Romeo and Sean started making music together. They tried to form bands but it wasn't until they convinced their younger sisters to join that the Magic Numbers clicked.
"I've been wanting to be in a rock'n'roll band since I was 13 or 14 and it wasn't until I was 27 that it happened," Romeo says. "It's been a long time coming." It couldn't have happened to a nicer chap.
LOWDOWN
Who: The Magic Numbers
Line-up: Romeo Stodart (guitar/vocals), Michele Stodart (bass/vocals), Angela Gannon (melodica/percussion/glockenspiel/vocals) and Sean Gannon (drums)
Where & when: St James, Auckland, April 12
Albums: The Magic Numbers (2005), Those the Brokes (2006)
