Carlis Star are already one of Manchester music 2007's great, inspiring success stories, the one no one saw coming. Seven months ago, they hadn't played a gig. Now, they're selling out shows at 400 capacity venues and grabbing rave reviews in the NME. Before long, there won't be a single music fan who won't have been seduced by their luscious summer pop.

Carlis Star and their glorious girl-boy Grandaddy-like sun-pop, is rooted a million miles away from Manchester's grey climes. It was well worth the wait - NME

There's something filmic about a Carlis Star gig. With three singers on stage, all harmonising to perfection, plus the odd stage embellishment (their last Academy 4 gig featured hundreds of balloons being released into the crowd), there's a glowing bonhomie here that you wouldn't find at other unsigned band gigs.

Bassist Alf: "That's the thing to this band - it's about making people smile. So much effort goes into our live shows. If the audience can see how much you're enjoying it, then they will too. I love the way The Flaming Lips do it. You never leave a show of theirs without a huge grin on your face. I'd like to think we do the same."

Carlis Star make the kind of music that is simply addictive – BBC Manchester

The young Cowan brothers, back in their hometown of Cambridge, came up with the name Carlis Star when they were 13. They had the cool band name, and even rough ideas for songs. It only took them another decade before they actually played a gig.

Simon recalls: "This band has taken a long time to come together. But it was all a matter of finding the right members."

Having played this year's Topman Unsigned Stage at the Carling Weekend Leeds and Dpercussion Festivals, Carlis Star now seem destined for success with debut single planned for release in early 2008.

I can't imagine it will be long before Carlis Star have an agent and a label, so enjoy listening... if only to say, “I heard them first” – Glasswerk.co.uk