GAINING national distribution of their debut mini-album has been no mean feat for unsigned Kent band Sound Sanctuary.

The laid-back indie outfit have followed up on their early promise with a stunning video for their latest single, Broken Signs, which is destined to boost their profile further.

But as their singer Toby Guy explained, it’s been a case of grafting extremely hard to make tangible inroads and work towards producing a full album later this year.

"We’re really pleased with the video and are hoping to get it shown on MTV. When you’ve been able to put together something like this it can change people’s perception of you," said the group’s frontman on their video experiences, which were put together with the assistance of friends in the business.

Having contacts in the right places has also helped matters along very nicely indeed. The band have collaborated with Kent producers Bombay Monkey (who have forged tracks for the likes of Ministry of Sound) and added some smart beats and samples into the Sound Sanctuary mix.

Hailing from Sevenoaks, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells, the slick-sounding four-piece have been together for the last five years. Their varied influences reflect an eclectic taste, from Crosby Stills and Nash to Gomez and the Beta Band.

To date they’ve paid their dues on the county scene as well as many London gigs at acoustic venues. Their often acoustic based material tends to suit more intimate places and have particularly enjoyed Kent gigs at the Grey Lady in Tunbridge Wells.

"Music has been a big part of my life and we have spent loads of time in the studio every week, but it’s been worth it," added Toby, 28, who is a web developer.

Born in Toronto, Canada, he moved to Kent aged seven and began songwriting in his teens. But it was not until he met the band’s bass player Dave Smith that the idea for the group began to gather momentum. Their name stems from a track which Toby recorded while working on some solo material.

While the rest of the band appear to gain most out of being in the band from their live shows, it seems their singer is most at home in the studio, honing their sound to its fullest potential.

So far they have had airplay from indie station XFM radio and are hoping to increase their fan base with a healthy roster of gigs across the county this summer. It seems as if their canny marketing and recording strategy is beginning to pay off. Forming their own label, Lo-tek, they are aiming to put out their album, titled Dust, later on this year.

"We’ve never gone out to get ourselves signed, where you can lose a lot of the control over what you sound like. I think it’s important to keep some independence for as long as possible. The best thing about doing this is that great to have friends in a band who are committed to making the best music we can."

Sound Sanctuary play the Grey Lady, Tunbridge Wells on Wednesday, May 23 - tickets £4 on the door; the Trinity Theatre in Tunbridge Wells on Saturday, May 26 for an acoustic night alongside Little Fish Big Pond and The Fair Few - tickets £6, box office 01892 678678; the Band Stand at Tunbridge Wells on Sunday, May 27; and the Rifleman in Sevenoaks on Saturday, July 14.