AS with any new band, experimental outfit Valparaíso aim to bring something different.

The Furness collective are most likely to deliver, with a line-up of well-known local musicians playing anything from progressive jazz to surf rock.

Their first headline gig is on Saturday February 18 at The Derby, in Barrow, where they'll leave it to the music to explain what they're about.

"We wanted to start an afro-beat project - however, after playing together for a while we started to gather a lot of different influences from each member," says drummer Dan Payne.

"Still sticking with what we think of as a 'world music' vibe, we wanted to write some original music that hasn't been heard much on the local scene and that people can dance to.

"We have five members as an established core, which allows us to introduce different members and cameos for certain tracks, which we think makes writing more fluid. Plus it gives the live performance a little more excitement and variation.

"I guess you could describe it as a collective as opposed to a set band."

There are three Dans, a Joe and a Jo making up the founding five - Dan Newton on guitar, Dan Large on bass, another guitarist in Joe Chapman, and keyboardist Jo Fitzpatrick - with Jess Robinson and Amy Boud the guest contributors so far, providing brass and percussion respectively.

The name translates from Spanish as "Paradise Valley", which in itself gives a clue to their upbeat and uplifting sound.

So far, Valparaíso has only had one outing last month as a support band for Sad-Eyed Puffins, but this headline show next week will give them a little bit more scope to showcase everything they've been working on.

"Jess and Amy have been doing some great things at rehearsal and we're really excited to get them on stage," adds drummer Dan.

"We have plans for recordings and maybe a few live videos within the next couple of months and are hoping to gig quite regularly."

The show on Saturday February 18 at The Derby will also feature support from Pariahs and KITS, and gets under way at 9pm. Entrance is free.

Other bookings so far include a show at the Big Kings, in Ulverston, on March 11 with Sad-Eyed Puffins, Sam Robinson and Collie Stewart, as well as a slot at this summer's Another Fine Fest.

For a first taste of Valparaíso, visit soundcloud.com/valparaisoband