Three months ago, very few people knew the name The Black Guards - now they're regularly heard by radio listeners across the world.

Since revealing their new moniker in February, the band formerly known as D'Bleedin Blaggards have been charting new territory, picking up plenty of praise and airtime from a number of respected DJs.

Lead vocalist and guitarist Paul O'Halloran says: "Overall the response has been fantastic. It's been a seamless transition, thankfully.

"It's definitely exceeded our expectation at this stage and we're delighted how things are progressing. Every year there's a plan put in place and hopefully with a bit of luck and perseverance we'll achieve what we've set out to achieve come the end of this year."

They reach their next major milestone on Friday with the release of their debut EP, Drawn In.

The West Cumbrian six-piece launched the title track as a single earlier this spring to much acclaim, but this five-track release should open them up to a much wider fanbase.

"The EP it came about quick enough in terms of getting it recorded, mixed and mastered," says Paul.

"We never anticipated it was going to be a hasty operation, we're all delighted and proud of what we've accomplished, we just want to get it out there now and let our audiences finally get their hands on it. For some of them it's been long overdue and they've let it be known to us.

"We're excited, and it's certainly going to hit a lot of different pallets of genres and music, which very much reflects all the playing styles within the band,.

"When we play these songs live, the audience, thankfully, are always in full voice and in sync with the music - it's a two-way thing. We just love pouring all our energy into performing live, and the songs, thankfully with the help of the audience, always come alive."

The Black Guards - completed by violinist Anne Marie McStraw, banjo player Paul McGhee, accordionist Owen Evans, drummer Andrew Bates, and Ben Sloan on double bass - signed to the renowned Folkstock Records before changing their name, and the tie-in has helped them realise many of their goals right away.

Once the EP is out, the gig schedule steps up, with slots at events such as EskFest and Eden Festival already booked in. Then attention may turn to their newly-acquired overseas followers.

Paul continues: "Hopefully the EP will get into the hands of more and more people in and around Cumbria, who'll get to hear our music potentially for the first time, and in turn, we'll get to travel out and meet some lovely new audiences in their locale.

"The summer will be a chance to play festivals, but it won't end there. We are then looking to tour Germany and Ireland and hopefully further afield and also get an album recorded and released before the year's out."

The Black Guards release the Drawn In EP on Friday May 26, and will also be playing a launch show at The Turf, in Carlisle, on Sunday May 28, from 5pm.