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Il Divo say they are united by music, not friendship

Vocal male quartet Il Divo have scored considerable chart success in their four-year career, with three number one albums to date.

The multi-national group were originally brought together by music mogul Simon Cowell, and have proved a popular draw with their blend of operatic and pop music.

As their fourth album is released, Swiss tenor Urs Buhler and his US bandmate David Miller discuss an unlikely secret to their success - and the downside to being so squeaky clean.

How was making the new album different to your first effort?

Urs: The premise for this album was going back to the first. That was all an experiment and we had no idea what it was going to be. This time we had the luxury to try out things again, but there was no time pressure.

David: Now we can take a song and it's doesn't matter what it is, we can turn it into something Il Divo. When we're finished with it, it sounds like us.

How do the four of you work together musically?

Il Divo's David Miller says he would like to record The Reason by US rock band Hoobastanks

Urs: Once our lead vocals are recorded, we all sit together in the control room, listen to it and then decided on harmonies and who should sing what.

Does this ever lead to arguments?

Urs: No

David: Yeah! [Both laugh] But there's a big difference between argument and falling out. We don't agree musically on certain things.

But we have a good control situation - it's not like there's a lead singer driving things and everyone else has to grumble and go with it. We have no problems with saying 'I don't think so'.

Urs: We have our different tastes and do disagree, but we get on with it.

How do four guys from four different countries get along on a day-to-day basis?

David: It's easier now than it's ever been. At the start, they said 'here are the guys, here are the songs. Make something and become friends'. But it's not about being friends and I'm not sure why they forced us to adopt that impression.

But once we let go of the idea of becoming friends and focussed on the music, trying to force it just fell away and it became a real thing.

During our recent break, we never really picked up the phone once, but it was really nice to see everyone again afterwards.

Urs: The situation is completely unnatural. The record company said to us 'we've got to fast-track your bonding'. What does that mean? It's complete nonsense! Once you rid your mind of the thought you have to be friends, it takes the pressure off.

David: We tried that, and it almost caused more problems than it solved.

So how does Il Divo get along during exhaustive world tours?

Urs: We travel together on a plane, but it's not like the four of us are sitting next to each other! We don't have hotel rooms next to each other. We go to the venue in the evening and do the show together. You're pretty much on your own otherwise, which is great.

The record company said to us 'we've got to fast-track your bonding'. What does that mean? It's complete nonsense! Urs Buhler Il Divo

What is the long-term future for the group?

David: This will go long as long as it goes on, and at the end we'll be free to do whatever we want, whether it's go back to opera, retire or whatever it is.

Could the name go on and on but with different singers?

Urs: I can't see that scenario. We started this together and it's unique. It would be a shame if one of us left which could be dealt with, but if in 15 years from now there was just one original member it wouldn't be Il Divo.

You appeal to a certain market and have a very clean-cut image. Does this ever frustrate you?

Urs: No. Certainly not with the look. I sometimes think it would be easier if you didn't have to be charming. Some journalists can be nasty and just want to nail you wherever they can. You always have to take it with a smile.

Sometimes it would be easier if you could just say 'I'm not having this, thank you, this interview is over'.

What do you think of other male vocal groups who have followed the success of Il Divo?

David: Other people come along, dress up in suits and do some songs, but with us there are a crazy bunch of elements that are all mixed up - like the nationalities, languages, musical backgrounds and the fact we didn't know each other before.

G4 met at school, were quite young, but didn't have 10 years of career behind them.

Each one of us had earned our measure of success but we were prepared for the leap. Other acts put themselves in musical boxes which we don't have.

Urs: If there was an act that did exactly what we did, it would be too obvious.

We don't have the problem of friendship that G4 had.

The Promise by Il Divo is out now. Urs Buhler and David Miller talked to BBC News entertainment reporter Michael Osborn. age of conan gold aoc gold aoc power leveling age of conan power leveling