The 29th of November could only mean good things; that little bit closer to the end of a cold and depressing semester, an extra step to Christmas. But most importantly, it brought us a visit from Fickle Friends. I was lucky enough to grab a chat with Natti(Lead vocals) and Jack(Keys) before their show at CardiffÔÇÖs Clwb Ifor Bach. Bringing funky beats and upbeat riffs to the legendary Clwb Ifor Bach, Fickle Friends brought us their best gig yet, which might have come as a relief with their last visit to Cardiff not being as delightful. ÔÇ£WeÔÇÖve not had the best past playing in Cardiff. Last time we played was last February and we played at the Full moon and across the road was Eliza and the Bear, and we share a lot of fans. It was like fuckÔÇØ. During the set, Natti even joked about the poor turn out, which seems nothing more than a distant memory now, with Clwb packing out for their return ÔÇ£WeÔÇÖve sold almost 100% more than last timeÔÇØ.
Seeing the band play before, on numerous occasions, their gig at Clwb took their sound to an admirable new level. It seemed effortless and yet funkier. Bringing us an energy that cannot be ignored. However, we must not overlook the fact that Fickle Friends are the only band IÔÇÖve ever seen conduct a tombola half way through their set adding a unique and memorable twist to their gig. The band of course, brought us classics such as Swim and Say No More whilst sampling some of their new material to the crowd such as Bite which brought that classic Fickle Friends upbeat sound with an exotic twist, bringing a perfect summer track for when we finally step into those far away, warmer months, which is when their debut album is set to drop. However, donÔÇÖt expect a complete array of classic, fickle indie pop as Natti highlights ÔÇ£A lot of variety is on it, which people wonÔÇÖt necessarily expect. ThereÔÇÖs a few moodier songs, itÔÇÖs a little bit more dark popÔÇØ. Foreshadowing to a new darker approach, Jack talks about how the song writing is a ÔÇ£Process of stages. One of us will get an idea and IÔÇÖll start recording at our house. Gradually we will add parts until it sounds greatÔÇØ and thus creating what Natti describes as ÔÇ£Emotional songs about weird, unrequited relationships and then weÔÇÖve got the other end of the spectrum with something influenced by a film. There was a few lines I read in a book and thought, oh that sounds cool, and will try and build something around it.ÔÇØ Natti talks about how the songs are much deeper from what we hear on the surface. ÔÇ£They all sound normal, but if you actually listen to it, theyÔÇÖre all a bit weird and like metaphorical. I like finding different ways of talking about a very universal situation everyone can relate to in an interesting wayÔÇØ. So the next time you have the hairbrush out screaming along to Say No More, donÔÇÖt take for granted, its deeper and meaningful side, away from the upbeat, toe tapping tune that youÔÇÖre usually used to.
With the band recently being signed to Polydor Records, working with the likes of Lana Del Rey and The 1975, there must have been a profound impact when being signed to the label ÔÇ£Mainly itÔÇÖs the money to play or have the money to go to LA. Or have our amazing team, like our tour manager and our tech team. For them to drive us and stuff that part of the responsibility is taken away from us. We can just focus on playing the shows and writing the music.ÔÇØ However, it hasnÔÇÖt always been plain sailing for Fickle Friends; not being signed for two years whilst trying to make it on to the music scene, whilst doing it well, brought a lot of hard work as Natti described how ÔÇ£It was really bad, we were having to put all our time into it, we were getting booked for more and more shows, live bookings were way further on career wise than everything else. We didnÔÇÖt have a label, it demanded so much of our time and we still had to work part time jobs to survive and pay rent. It was really stressful and difficult.ÔÇØ However, the band did not choose to throw in the towel and give into the pressure ÔÇ£We were like how long can we keep doing this for. It was kind of plateauing. At that time, we were like something needs to change. It werenÔÇÖt a case of wanting to give up, we just needed changeÔÇØ and of course, that finally came when being signed to Polydor. With that in mind, what would Fickle Friends advise those baby bands, out there in the wilderness, with nothing better than an old guitar and the back of a van. Natti provided the simplest yet perfect answer ÔÇ£Write great songsÔÇØ a task easier said than done. ÔÇ£So many bands split up because you donÔÇÖt share a clear vision. YouÔÇÖre going to spend a lot of time with these people. You have to spend every waking hour with them and like the same things. Be prepared to sacrifice so much. You are going to be broke. Ultimately it might pay offÔÇØ.
With the music video of Brooklyn being recently released, featuring a fluorescent 80ÔÇÖs dance video, we asked if that is something the band get involved with ÔÇ£The initial idea is our own, weÔÇÖve always wanted to have a dance videoÔÇØ. With jack adding, ÔÇ£It just works for the song and makes it sound really coolÔÇØ. Suggesting the visuals, of the song, is just as important, when bringing the final piece all together. Brooklyn has been the successful new track for Fickle Friends, with techno pop legends, Everything Everything even diving if for a slice with their recent remix of the track. However, does this mean there is more to expect from these two great bands colliding? ÔÇ£They actually came to us, the guy from Everything Everything actually wanted to do a day of writing with us but ended up doing a remix insteadÔÇØ. However, fear not music lovers, as we can cling on to the glimmer of hope, as Natti says ÔÇ£if we get some timeÔÇØ this magical collaboration could potentially be on the cards.
Finally, with a new album looming after a recording trip to LA and their biggest headline tour, including their London show at Heaven, holding their biggest crowd yet, Fickle Friends must be one to watch for 2017. But what can we expect from this rapidly emerging band? ÔÇ£Loads of festivalsÔÇØ. But does this mean the almighty, king of festivals, Glastonbury for Fickle Friends? ÔÇ£Their vibe is they will book you when they think youÔÇÖre ready, the first time you play you donÔÇÖt wanna be on some poetry stage somewhere just for the sake of playing there.ÔÇØ Seeing their crowd at their Cardiff gig, as well as their sound sounding better than ever, surely we can expect a Fickle Friends Glasto debut ÔÇ£IÔÇÖm ready to play Glastonbury. Dream Big.ÔÇØ
Erin Brown