Despite the potential appeal of riches, jet-setting and public adoration, being in a band can be a labour of love which takes commitment, creativity and a whole lot of hard work.

Tennessee four-piece The Features are a fine example of where this can lead as, since forming in 1993, they've seen all of the ups and downs that the music industry has to offer. Now their adventure is beginning again after becoming the first signing to the Kings of Leon's new record label, Serpents & Snakes.

On the back of the re-release of their second album Some Kind of Salvation, we caught up with lead singer Matt Pelham to discuss fresh starts, genetically modified foods and campaigning rock stars.

The Features' journey began when Pelham and childhood friend Roger Dabbs, now the band's bass player, started experimenting with music in their tiny rural hometown of Sparta. After growing up with only Classic Rock Radio's schedule of Lynyrd Skynyrd and Led Zeppelin hits, along with a plentiful supply of Bluegrass and country, their eyes and ears were opened upon heading to college in nearby Murfreesboro in the early 1990s. Pelham and Dabbs were then exposed to the alternative rock of bands such as Pavement, which sowed the seeds for creativity.

"When we moved to college at Murfreesboro, it was kinda overwhelming," said Pelham in his light Tennessean drawl. "It's close to Nashville and so there are a lot more record stores and a lot more going on compared to where we grew up. So it was a completely different experience."

Such a mix of influences can be heard in the group's music, blending the heartfelt drive of classic rock, the melodic honesty of bluegrass and the subversive edge of slacker indie. After signing to Universal Records, the band - now including Rollum Haas (keys) and Mark Bond (drums) - unleashed their debut album, Exhibit A, in 2004. At the launch party in Nashville, the group would also have their first encounter with fellow Tennesseans the Followill brothers from rock giants the Kings of Leon.

"A good friend of ours, who used to be our sound guy but ended up being their sound guy, invited them to the show," said Pelham. "They came, enjoyed it and later asked us to do some touring with them. So we ended up supporting most of their UK and US tour for their second album [Aha Shake Heartbreak], and we've had a really good relationship with them since."

After The Features left Universal, they opted to self-release second album Some Kind of Salvation in the U.S. in 2008. Around eight months later, the Kings of Leon contacted the band and asked them to become the first signing to Serpents & Snakes, with full backing for a worldwide re-release of Some Kind of Salvation. However, when asked if this feels like a fresh start, Pelham is philosophical.

"We've been doing it so long that it just seems like part of the deal," he says.

"We've been on an independent label and we've been on a major label, so we know how," he said, before pausing to laugh. "Well I guess we like to think we know how it works. It's been really good in terms of having control and doing what we want to do. With this record, I mean, it was done a long time before anyone heard it so we did exactly what we wanted to do.

He adds: "In terms of being able to travel or be on the road for six to eight weeks at a time and not have to worry about day jobs, it's a bonus, you know [to have the label backing]. We've had that routine for 15 years or so, so you're definitely grateful when you're able to do that."

Pelham, who is the band's chief songwriter, brings his own personal experiences to the lyrics, but also touches on wider issues. For example, the song GMF on the new album is all about the genetically modified food debate, a pressing issue for someone who grew up in rural America.

"I am definitely against it (GM Food)," he says. "It's gotten out of hand over here, but I'm not trying to preach or anything, maybe someday, but not right now. I just feel that we want to make good music and write about things that we are interested in."

AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson recently criticised rock stars such as Bono who use their gigs as a platform to promote causes and charity work. However, Pelham sees no problem in popular figures using their influential position as a soapbox, as long as it's for the good.

"I respect people like Bono who stand up and say something. I am not just saying so, I respect that, period," he claims. "Someone's gotta do it. Who better than someone who has 100,000 people listening to them? I don't know, but a lot of things wouldn't get talked about or be known about if it wasn't for popular figures like him saying something, especially when there are kids being influenced. Kids are listening to him, so if he has something to say then that's a good audience to get to listen to you."

Some Kind of Salvation is released on the Serpents & Snakes imprint.

The band will play the following U.K. dates in support of the album:

19 April, London Barfly                                      
20 April, Birmingham Hare & Hounds   
21 April, Glasgow King Tuts                                      
22 April, Manchester Roadhouse

words: Andrew Laughlin