Reality TV
What sort of album have you made this time around?
"It's a collection of really heartfelt songs that we've written over the last year-and-a-half. It's a mix of rocky, uptempo songs and some really good ballads too. We're sort of travelling down the rock/pop route I'd say."
So you've been much more involved in the songwriting process?
"We've written all of it except for one track, so we've been really hard at work! We're just really proud that it's all our own record. We basically started with a blank piece of paper and we've ended up with eleven self-written songs. We've been in on every aspect of the creative process this time."
Did you get tired of singing covers?
"A bit, to be honest. Back in the day, before we went on The X Factor, we used to play covers at weddings and stuff. We did that to earn our living, and we enjoyed it, but our hearts really lie in writing our own material. We've been out in Stockholm, working with some really talented writers and producers."
Do you find it difficult to write with people you've just met?
"Sometimes it gets harder when the room's full of people, because ideas are flying all over the place and it's easy to forget the melody you've just thought of. But when everyone just gels together, it works really well. It really helps if you get on well with the songwriters. We've known the songwriters we've been working with for 18 months now, so we've managed to establish a personal relationship with them."
Do you feel pressure to match the success of your debut album?
"Obviously first time we were coming off the back of The X Factor, so the album did just fantastic. It would be absolutely fantastic if this album did as well as the first one, but even half the success would be unbelievable."
Do you get frustrated when you're described as 'The X Factor's Journey South'?
"Not really, because we'll never forget where we came from and it really helped us on our way. It was such a massive help up for us, but we want to be known eventually as artists in our own right - artists that can write their own songs and perform live. Performing live is a really big thing for us. Hopefully a tour will come off the back of the album, if all goes well. Last time around we did a 40-date tour all over the country and to do the same would be amazing."
Are you still in touch with your fellow contestants from the show?
"We recently went on a night out with Chico and Andy Abraham, which was an eventful evening as you can imagine! Chico is such a colourful character, so it's always going to be a fantastic night when he's around."
Did he take all his clothes off?
"No! No. Nothing as bad as that, thank goodness!"
Are you still in touch with any of the judges?
"We haven't seen them for a while actually. Simon's just jetting off all over the world, so we don't get a chance to speak to him much. I doubt anyone does to be honest."
Have you been watching the show this year?
"I haven't, because while it's been on we've been away songwriting and stuff. We haven't really had chance."
What advice would you give to an emerging singer who's about to appear on The X Factor?
"Rehearse, rehearse and rehearse! And just try to be yourself and don't go in there too confident and cocky. People always see through you if you're cocky. They want to nurture you - they don't want someone who's really over-confident."
Have you managed to stay down-to-earth, do you think?
"I just feel that I've always been quite a laid back guy, and I still am. When I come home I'm Carl, not Carl from Journey South. I don't think I would ever be up myself or anything like that. When we first came out of The X Factor it was absolutely mad. We were being asked for autographs left, right and centre wherever we went, but obviously we've been away for a bit so people tend to forget. People haven't been asking for autographs quite as much, but we still get bothered a bit. I'm still me, though."
Journey South's single 'What I Love About Home' is released on October 15. The album Home follows on October 22.
