7/15/08

Oh my! We've been a bit lax about keeping this puppy updated, haven't we? It's not just because we've been outside enjoying the beautiful summer weather and going to rooftop BBQs - it's also because we've been hard at work putting together a whole new batch of tasty records for you, not to mention booking Faunts' first-ever US tour. But still, we promise to keep the site updated more frequently from now on, and also to eat all our vegetables, and to look both ways before crossing the street.

WINDMILL "PUDDLE CITY RACING LIGHTS" ALMOST OUT!

It's out in exactly one week, in fact. UK indie pop troubador Matthew Thomas Dillon, a.k.a. Windmill, has graced us with one of the loveliest, strangest, most heart-wrenching records of the year with his debut album "Puddle City Racing Lights". A heady distillation of US indie (think Built To Spill, Guided By Voices, Mercury Rev and Flaming Lips), early ‘70s melancholia and twisted folk-pop, all anchored by Dillon's warbling falsetto, "Puddle City Racing Lights" is unlike anything you've heard before. It's officially out on July 22, but you can preorder it now.

FAUNTS WEST COAST TOUR!

They're finally coming to America! East Coasters are going to have to wait until later in the year to see Faunts play, but if you're on the West Coast, consider yourself lucky:

7/30/08 - Portland, OR @ Holocene (w/ Titus Andronicus)
8/1/08 - Vancouver, BC @ the Sweatshop (w/ the Clips)
8/3/08 - Seattle, WA @ Sunset Tavern
8/5/08 - San Francisco, CA @ 12 Galaxies
8/6/08 - Los Angeles, CA @ Silverlake Lounge

4/1/08

CAMPHOR RELEASES DEBUT ALBUM "DRAWN TO DUST"!

Hello friends!

We here at Friendly Fire Recordings are very happy about two things these days. One is that spring has sprung in New York. The other is the debut release issued this week by Camphor, entitled "Drawn to Dust." Built around the songwriting of Max Avery Lichtenstien, Camphor is a New York group featuring friends from bands like Mercury Rev, Beirut, Hopewell and Timesbold (of which Max is also a member). While Max is perhaps best known for his instrumental compositions for films such as Tarnation, Jesus' Son and The King, "Drawn to Dust" finds Max and company offering up a heart-tugging selection of chamber pop. Their music hais a dark but catchy sound recalling the likes of Beck, Nick Cave and Calexico. And the packaging itself is as beautiful as the music within; the image of a butterfly wrapped in a warm vellum cover. We hope you'll lend an ear.

"Drawn to Dust" is available now on iTunes with two exclusive bonus tracks. The release can also be found at other digital retailers such as eMusic and Other Music and in physical form at your friendly local record store, not to mention on our own order page.

Camphor will be performing in New York at the end of the month in celebration of "Drawn to Dust." Woo hoo!

FAUNTS "M4" DIGITAL EP OUT NOW!!!

Hello friends of Friendly Fire,

Today is a very exciting day! We're extremely proud to announce that the magnificent new Faunts EP (really closer to a full-length album, considering it's 40+ minutes long), entitled "M4," is now available digitally via the good folks at iTunes. Perhaps you've heard the song "M4 Part II" in the closing credits of the Xbox game "Mass Effect," or perhaps you really loved Faunts' gorgeous debut album "High Expectations/Low Results," or perhaps you haven't heard them at all and might be convinced to at least check out one of their songs on Friendly Fire's myspace page...?

Originally written for a live performance hosted by the Film And Video Arts Society, "M4" is composed of scores originally created to accompany three independent short films. Harnessing the use of electronics and synthesizers, Faunts have gathered material that is more ambient and atmospheric than their previous work, but still demonstrates their love for layered melodies and sparkling electronics.

If we may say so ourselves, it's fuckin' brilliant.

And if you're so-inclined, you can buy it on iTunes for the so-low-we're-practically-giving-it-away price of $3.99. We promise you will enjoy it.

NEWS ARCHIVE>>