Stanley Brinks & Freschard: on tour with The Wave Pictures

Stanley Brinks & Freschard head out on tour on Friday in support of their new album Pizza Espresso, The Wave Pictures.

Having already released 2 of the best albums of 2014 (Gin on Fika Recordings, and Boom Biddy Boom on wiaiwya) Stanley Brinks & Freschard are releasing Pizza Espresso - an album of duets, and a collaboration between both labels – on the 25th of August.

Pizza Espresso is an album of love songs about drinking and drinking songs about love. Picture Emmylou and Gram relocated to Berlin with a guitar, a pennywhistle and a washboard and writing ten gorgeous duets to be sung on lazy summer evenings.

“if you have time, and nothing on your mind, why, i’m free, for you and me”

Stanley Brinks & Freschard, with The Wave Pictures tour dates:

AUGUST 15 Fri CAMBRIDGE - The Portland Arms (Stanley Brinks and The Wave Pictures + Freschard)
AUGUST 16 Sat BRISTOL - The Louisiana (Stanley Brinks and The Wave Pictures + Freschard)
AUGUST 17 Sun GREEN MAN FESTIVAL (Stanley Brinks and the Wave Pictures)
AUGUST 18 Mon LEEDS - Brudenell Social Club (Stanley Brinks and The Wave Pictures + Freschard)
AUGUST 19 Tues HARROGATE - Major Tom's Social Café Bar (Stanley Brinks and The Wave Pictures + Freschard)
AUGUST 20 Wed EAGLESCLIFFE - The Waiting Room (Stanley Brinks and The Wave Pictures + Freschard)
AUGUST 21 Thurs NEWCASTLE - Cluny (Stanley Brinks and The Wave Pictures + Freschard)
AUGUST 22 Fri EDINBURGH - Sneaky Pete’s (Stanley Brinks and The Wave Pictures + Freschard)
AUGUST 23 Sat DOUNE, (near STIRLING) - The Rabbit Hole (Stanley Brinks and the Wave Pictures)
AUGUST 24 Sun DOUNE - The Rabbit Hole (The Wave Pictures and Freschard)
AUGUST 25 Mon SHEFFIELD - Riverside, Point Blank Theatre (Stanley Brinks and The Wave Pictures + Freschard)
AUGUST 26 Tues LONDON - Shacklewell Arms (Stanley Brinks and The Wave Pictures + Freschard)
AUGUST 27 Wed FALMOUTH - Beerwolf Books (Stanley Brinks and Freschard only)
AUGUST 28 Thurs EXETER - The Cavern (Stanley Brinks and Freschard only)

Cosines - Oscillations [12"/CD]

The debut album from Cosines is finally out! ‘Oscillations’ charts the ups and downs, the instability of relationships, misguided hook-ups and ‘subsequent break-ups. You can buy it on vinyl, handpainted CD and as a download from the Fika webshop here.

Cosines are a mathematical pop band from north London. Simon Nelson and Alice Hubley met on the London Underground after a Stereo Totale gig in 2009; two days later Simon was at Alice's house unblocking her kitchen drain. Since then Simon has been round and put up two curtain rails, a blind and a shelf. This unlikely meeting got them talking and once the DIY was done they started making music together, fusing metronomic pop sensibilities, 60's grooves and Krautrock noise. Their line-up was by completed Daniel Chapman and The Late Jonny Drums, from Alice's previous band The Loves, and Kajsa Tretow from A Smile And A Ribbon. Cosines played their first show in April 2012 and since then have performed with Comet Gain, Seapony, The Pooh Sticks and Flowers, and also at the Indietracks Festival.

“a cool and mannered (but not overmannered) exploration of a musical world bordered by Stereolab, Blondie, Saint Etienne, Belle and Sebastian and a band your mates formed at school that you wish you were in” The Sunday Times

“Cosines have found the magic formula that indie pop has been dreaming of – a winning combination of Pulp and Belle & Sebastian, seasoned with swathes of Stereolab. Refreshingly offering none of the dreaded “twee” associated with that genre, Cosines have a big sense of melody they’re not afraid to both use and play with, the same going for their sonic palette of guitars and spacey synths.” The Quietus

“Named after Carole King’s 60s Deewop backing group and apparently not the tangent counterpart, Cosines bring us a lovely fusion of tunes with their hearts in the same era, blurry guitars and retro synth sounds that once sounded futuristic. They can write a cracking alternative pop song too as openers Out Of The Fire and Nothing More Than A Feeling comfortably demonstrate, with the latter sounding much like early Blondie New Wave efforts.” Louder Than War

Plus there's a video for Nothing More Than A Feeling, taken from the album:

Stanley Brinks & Freschard

Following their two 7" singles on Fika Recordings (this year's Commuter Love, and last year's Hey Sailor Boy!), Cosines finally release their debut album Oscillations at the end of July. Be quick if you want a copy - neither track feature on the album so this is your only chance!

Out Of The Fire is a sneak peak - think repetitive synth riffs, pulsating rhythm and crunchy guitars, which reveal a song which perfectly encapsulates the band and sets the tone for the rest of the album. We'll be revealing more from the album over the next couple of weeks... In the meantime, you can pre-order a copy here, on 12" black vinyl, handmade CDR or as a download.

Having already released 2 of the best albums of 2014 (Gin on Fika Recordings, and Boom Biddy Boom on wiaiwya) Stanley Brinks and Freschard are releasing Pizza Espresso - an album of duets, and a collaboration between both labels – at the end of August.

Pizza Espresso is an album of love songs about drinking and drinking songs about love. Picture Emmylou and Gram relocated to Berlin with a guitar, a pennywhistle and a washboard and writing ten gorgeous duets to be sung on lazy summer evenings.

Stanley Brinks & The Wave Pictures with Freschard August 26th @ The Shacklewell Arms, London Tickets available here

Owl & Mouse - Somewhere To Go [7”]

Artist: Owl & Mouse
Title: Somewhere To Go
Format: 7” single on blue vinyl
Cat#: Fika038
Release date: 23rd June 2014
Bandcamp | Spotify

Owl & Mouse was born as the solo project of Australian singer-songwriter Hannah Botting. After moving to London in 2008, Hannah taught herself to play the ukulele, and began writing vulnerable yet open-hearted folk-tinged songs. 

In early 2011, Hannah released her first solo EP on Haircut Records. A short while later, she began to form a more permanent, pop-oriented backing band, and now performs with her sister Jen Botting on backing vocals, Tom Wade on bass, and Emma Winston on keyboards. Owl & Mouse’s first release was a split single on Hangover Lounge Records with the track Canvas Bags.

Somewhere To Go is the first full EP from Owl & Mouse. Beautiful harmonies and gentle melodies float throughout the 4 tracks of love and heartbreak.

At its simplest, Don & Anna is a tender ode to platonic love between Mad Men’s Don and Anna Draper, while Don’t Read The Classics battles through an emotional rollercoaster of trust and subsequent disillusionment. Missing her family and friends back in Australia, Hannah wrote Western Skies for Tom to sing; her sense of hopelessness and loneliness displaced and sung back to her.

The EP was recorded in Soup Studios with Giles Barrett [Tigercats], one sunny day in the summer of 2013. Terrible Things was written in the studio while Emma battled synth failure, eventually switching to the warm analogue of the studio’s Wurlitzer for these recordings.

Emma can also be found as part of Enderby’s Room and Darren Hayman’s band; Tom also plays with We Aeronauts. Allo Darlin’s Paul Rains designed the artwork for the EP.

Press for Somewhere To Go

"This is an exceptionally beautiful EP and one that should be on everyone’s radar" Folk Radio

"There’s an observational acuity in her writing that’s almost novelish and her singing is freighted with bittersweet emotion, while she builds up her songs with inspired orchestration. In that sense, she’s not another anything.... Constructed of simple but strong tunes, Owl & Mouse’s second offering is a little gem." SoundsXP

"Somewhere To Go comes over as understated, delicate and minimalist, but its honest and melancholic tone and beautiful melodies certainly make it worth checking out." For Folks Sake

"Botting’s delivery and subject matter are beautiful and sad in equal measure, especially on this EP’s standout track Don and Anna" Neon Filler

"This EP ranges from stunning harmonies and gentle melodies that would soften the coldest heart. The melancholy lyrics are shockingly bold and it is in contrast to the smooth and velvety chime that is produced. It is difficult not to find resonance with Botting in this EP, and the warm nature of the sound and lyrics creates an ambiance that almost makes heartbreak sound beautiful." The Metropolist

"These quietly energetic and stylish songs remind me of Alan Horne's description of Subway Sect, that the idea is to "work not with power, but with weakness and introversion"... Somewhere To Go is a very substantial and richly rewarding record." Did Not Chart

"The cover artwork looks like it was a missing piece from Belle & Sebastian's Books EP, but sounding more like Camera Obscura's 'Books Written for Girls'". We Heart Music

"Perfect. These vocals are delicate, the songwriting as strong as ever, and the overall composition of these heart-breakingly beautiful songs make Somewhere To Go the perfect EP for a cosy, rainy day." So Said K

"a delicately assembled, heart felt folk record that takes listeners on a wistful journey of love and sacrifice... ‘Somewhere To Go’ is an excellent offering from Owl & Mouse and one that holds a lot of promise for this young band." SeeSound

"Hannah Botting is the enchanting singer on this song, offering up her gentle voice over her simple chords. Those of you who love the writing of indiepop, lyrically speaking, will also find her wordplay something special." Austin Town Hall

"It's a song with a great poetic bent to it, so if you like your songs fragile with hearts firmly on sleeve, you'll find something to like in this song." Metaphorical Boat

"In the couple of years since Hannah Botting's first EP under the name she's formed a band around her but kept her pureish vocal and yearning writing nature intact. This almost too delicately poised self-examination in the face of misplaced trust is from Somewhere To Go" Sweeping The Nation

"Bookend cuts “Don & Anna” and “Terrible Things” are the standouts, but Owl & Mouse are almost as impressive on “Western Skies” and “Don’t Read the Classics.” Keep an eye on these up-and-comers." Pittsburgh In Tune

Cosines - Oscillations

Following their two 7" singles on Fika Recordings (this year's Commuter Love, last year's Hey Sailor Boy!), Cosines finally release their debut album Oscillations at the end of July. Be quick if you want a copy - neither track feature on the album so this is your only chance!

Out Of The Fire is a sneak peak - think repetitive synth riffs, pulsating rhythm and crunchy guitars, which reveal a song which perfectly encapsulates the band and sets the tone for the rest of the album. We'll be revealing more from the album over the next couple of weeks... In the meantime, you can pre-order a copy here, on 12" black vinyl, handmade CDR or as a download.

The Smittens - Love Record Breaker [10”]

Artist: The Smittens
Title: Love Record Breaker
Format: 10” vinyl album limited to 300 copies (6 hand screen printed covers in editions of 50)
Cat#: Fika039
Release date: 18th August 2014
Bandcamp | Spotify 

Love Record Breaker is a transitionary record for Burlington, Vermont’s The Smittens. 

They’ve grown to a 6 piece with the incorporation of New York soap maker Missy Bly, who having made a guest appearance on their previous LP, Believe Me, contributes the title track here and appears throughout the 8 tracks on vocals, providing a melodically fuller sound. It’s also the last record from The Smittens to feature Dana Kaplan’s vocals pre-transition and pre-testosterone, prior to his new voice and new vocal arrangements.

This is the most forward album from The Smittens so far: sluts, whores, dead pets, not wanting to live and a rather explicit discussion of indie politics all feature as part of this record. It includes a cover of US folk duo Indigo Girls’ Closer To Fine, a homage to their queer forebears as well as their geeky pasts; The Smittens describe the original as an “80s lesbian campfire anthem”.

The title track, Love Record Breaker, was written as a response to a friend’s cold hearted Conquistadorian conquests around town, from the perspective of someone who had been through his conveyor belt of gal pals. “I wanted to convey the anger and frustration that happens in that situation, but keeping a sense of dignity despite feeling like a slut in a long line of ‘sluts’ in waiting”.

This is also a record that has taken The Smittens back to their roots, completing the circle. Writing the track These Lips returned them to their collaborative and improvisational past, not as simple as it used to be with members now living in Philadelphia and New York. Growing from a jam about a lip infection preventing Dana from kissing his partner, The Smittens twisted and turned the meaning into something far saucier, implicating both the narrator and the listener.
Closing the album is a remix of These Days from Death Team’s Johen Rafael Tilli, a Swedish producer The Smittens met on a cruise ship in the Baltic Sea: “I wanted to create a sound that could combine Scandinavian queerness with Moog syntheziers, but at the same time breathe a sense of expectation”.

The album was recorded by The Smittens at Twee Valley Manor and mixed by Gary Olson (The Ladybug Transistor) at his Marlborough Farms Studio in Brooklyn, NY.

Love Record Breaker comes on 10” black vinyl in one of 6 different hand screenprinted sleeves, each hand numbered and limited to 50.

The Smittens are friends first and open-hearted indiepop revolutionaries after that. 

Max Andrucki, Dana Kaplan, Colin Clary, Missy Bly, Holly Chagnon and David Zacharis switch up instruments, song-writing, and singing to create catchy, harmony-driven twee ballads, pop anthems, and queer love songs. Always brilliantly lyrical, and often brazenly political.

Press for Love Record Breaker

"The vocal arrangements sound great, the reverb 1950s guitar sound wonderful. There will be no dancing at the indie disco to this and its all the better for it... Arguably their most important album to date." Neon Filler [8.5/10]

"there is nothing really to compare the Smittens with which is good in itself, so you just have to let you hair down a bit if you have some and listen to the simple sounds, chuckle at the naughty lyrics, pour yourself a dry martini and morph into a whore. Marvellous!" Penny Black Music

"To pull off diversity in sound is a feat in itself, but to do so with a coherent sound is pure magic. Somehow, The Smittens do just that without any sign of strain. May they continue with equal exuberance." The Big Takeover

"There’s a certain sense of innocence in this song; it harkens back the the gifts of girl-groups of days gone by, accented by nice male backing tracks. You can’t listen to a song like this and not feel your emotions swell with joy." Austin Town Hall

"I love this!" [Upper West Side] Lauren Laverne, BBC 6 Music

'Burlington band backs transgender singer' [interview] Burlington Free Press

Sydsvenkan feature

Cosines - Commuter Love [7"]

Commuter Love, the new single from Cosines, is out in shops today! You can pre-order it on vinyl or download it from us via our webshop. As with their debut Cosines schizophrenic nature is their strength with being able to float above the current indie pop crop by infusing elements of baroque pop, krautrock, sunshine pop revival, glam rock, and synth-driven new wave while never taking so much from any genre to bog themselves down and lose sight of crafting perfect pop hits.

A-side Commuter Love is the tale of someone who spends their days commuting to work set to a glam rock and romp. It’s an icy cool song about train commutes with nods to Blondie’s pouty pomp and Goldfrapp’s sultry stomp. Lyrics we can all relate to set to verse chorus verse, it’s a hit all the way to the top to help ease your working week and those daily travels. You know the moments where you are sitting there and you slip into your mind and you realize you are stationary and your life is passing you by. Time wasted in transit from station to station all to sit stationary at work at a desk or monitor only to get home to be so tired you are sat stationary again flipping from yet another type of station to station. You have more knowledge about the characters on tv and their lives than those of your friends.

The B-Side Disclosed Stories walks the line between sunshine revival, motorik krautrock-isms and stoic soul. It’s like if Camera Obscura was influenced by Neu! and fronted by Kirsty MacColl. The song recalls a place we’ve all been at some point where you have that one friend which is so close you think maybe it could work out, but you can’t ruin what you have. You are there for each other sharing those stories and times that are pure frustration watching each other make mistakes. You think if the person you were with was like them, but you know it will end it heartbreak if you did.

Cosines play The Sebright Arms on Friday the 16th of May for their single launch party, alongside Simon Love, Giant Burger and The Girls Are [DJs]. Tickets available here.

Tigercats

We're very excited to announce that Tigercats are back! Following the success of their debut album Isle Of Dogs in 2012, they'll be playing a show for us on Saturday the 24th of May, at The Shacklewell Arms in London to preview material from their upcoming album before they head over to Spain to play the Primavera festival. Support comes from Fika favourites Fever Dream and Mammoth Penguins.Tickets are available now from http://www.wegottickets.com/event/269947.

TIGERCATS Tigercats return for their first London show in almost a year having completed recording the follow up to 2012’s debut album “Isle Of Dogs”.

Tigercats are a band from East London who make pop music with guitars, keyboards and drums. After previous band Esiotrot shambled to a halt, songwriter Duncan Barrett sought a leaner, lither framework for his open-hearted songs. He asked his brother and long-time producer Giles to join on bass, who was soon followed by Jonny on drums, Laura on keyboard and Paul on guitar. After early singles on Haircut Records and WeePop, their debut album Isle of Dogs was released in 2012 on Fika Recordings and Acuarela Discos. In their short life Tigercats have played across most of Europe, including sets at Primavera Festival, appearances on Spanish TV (RTVE Radio3) and Indietracks. Across innumerable mini-tours they have shared stages with: Allo Darlin’, the Wave Pictures, Darren Hayman, the Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Standard Fare, Let’s Wrestle, the Lovely Eggs and Milky Wimpshake, amongst others. They recently completed their first trip across the pond and toured the USA and Canada with labelmates the Smittens and Making Marks in spring 2013, culminating with a headline appearance at NYC Popfest. They played End of the Road Festival last summer with the likes of Belle & Sebastian, Dinosaur Jr and Sigur Ros, and they are currently working on their second album, which they hope to have out in time for summer 2014.

“Tigercats are a very, very good band. The kind of band that make you want to be a teenager again, so they can be your band.” The Sunday Times

“there’s something unconsciously authentic about Tigercats... this could be a band to listen to obsessively” Drowned In Sound

“Their songs betray no ulterior motives of forced cool, only an enthusiastic young band in love with making songs. Excellent, alive, and bright.“ Artrocker

tigercatsband.com

FEVER DREAM If post-punk bashed heads with shoegaze - you'd probably end up with a band that sounds like Fever Dream. Frantic shreds of guitar over that bass sound held together by tight as drumming. Easily one of the best live bands around at the moment.

“Taking inspiration from the noisy 90s, ie: Sonic Youth, Pavement and My Bloody Valentine they create intriguingly varied tracks. They range from gushing dream-pop melancholia on ‘This Waste’ to scuzzy, guitar and skewed rhythms on ‘Poyekhali!’ and messy, snarly post-punk on ‘Suspense’ – think Ride meets Fidlar.” This Is Fake DIY

feverdream.co.uk

MAMMOTH PENGUINS Infectious, scrappy lo-fi indie rock from Emma, Mark and Tom. They're a 3-piece indie-pop/alt-rock band from Cambridgeshire.

facebook.com/MammothPenguins

Making Marks - Like Spinning

We've one more treat from Making Marks' debut album for you: a video for Like Spinning. A version of the track initially appeared on their very first release as Making Marks, as the b-side to the Ticket Machine single, back in 2012. Here, songwriter Ola Innset has filmed and produced a video for the album version of the track, which will give you an insight into the side of Oslo he sees within the song...

A Thousand Half-Truths is available to buy now on heavyweight 12" vinyl and as a digipack CD; also available as a digital download. We have a few copies left of their first 7" singles, Ticket Machine and Barcodes, and a few copies of their Norwegian single Uten En Tråd.

They'll be touring Europe in May, catch them here: 22.05.14 – Ohibo, Milano (IT) 23.05.14 – Café Kairo, Bern (CH) 24.05.14 – Ostpol, Dresden (DE) 25.05.14 – Theatron Festival, München (DE) 26.05.14 – Konrad, Luxembourg (LX) 27.05.14 – Astra Stube, Hamburg (DE) 28.05.14 – Antje Øklesund, Berlin (DE) 29.05.14 – Feinkost Lampe, Hannover (DE)

Cosines "Commuter Love" new single out May 12th

London’s Cosines are back with Commuter Love / Disclosed Stories 7”, their follow up to their debut single Hey Sailor Boy! / The Answer. Once again on the unstoppable Fika Recordings label (home of Tigercats, Making Marks, the Smittens) which is becoming known as the beacon of what’s cool and classy coming out of the indie pop underground in the UK.

As with their debut Cosines schizophrenic nature is their strength with being able to float above the current indie pop crop by infusing elements of baroque pop, krautrock, sunshine pop revival, glam rock, and synth-driven new wave while never taking so much from any genre to bog themselves down and lose sight of crafting perfect pop hits.

The A-side Commuter Love is the tale of someone who spends their days commuting to work set to a glam rock and romp. It’s an icy cool song about train commutes with nods to Blondie’s pouty pomp and Goldfrapp’s sultry stomp. Lyrics we can all relate to set to verse chorus verse, it’s a hit all the way to the top to help ease your working week and those daily travels. You know the moments where you are sitting there and you slip into your mind and you realize you are stationary and your life is passing you by. Time wasted in transit from station to station all to sit stationary at work at a desk or monitor only to get home to be so tired you are sat stationary again flipping from yet another type of station to station. You have more knowledge about the characters on tv and their lives than those of your friends.

The B-Side Disclosed Stories walks the line between sunshine revival, motorik krautrock-isms and stoic soul. It’s like if Camera Obscura was influenced by Neu! and fronted by Kirsty MacColl. The song recalls a place we’ve all been at some point where you have that one friend which is so close you think maybe it could work out, but you can’t ruin what you have. You are there for each other sharing those stories and times that are pure frustration watching each other make mistakes. You think if the person you were with was like them, but you know it will end it heartbreak if you did.

Pre-order the new 7" single "Commuter Love" from Cosines