Cassette Culture Old

I can't remember how it happened but a few months ago I stumbled into Fenech Soler and popped them in my "bands to look at later" folder. Fortunately, I did look at them later and was mightily impressed. I got in touch with Ben Duffy from the band who kindly agreed to answer a few questions. First though Ben has sent dark electro track "Black Keys" for you to download and their soon-to-be-single "The Cult of Romance" to preview. Ben also tells me there's a remix of "The Cult of Romance" in the pipeline courtesy of Alan Braxe, who has previosuly worked alongside Fred Falke to remix the likes of Goldfrapp, Röyksopp and Justice.


Fenech Soler - Black Keys


Fenech-Soler - Cult of Romance

So its all looking rather grand. Here's what Ben had to say:

Cassette Culture: Hi Ben, how are you today?

Ben Duffy: I'm very well thank you...

CC: Would you like to introduce us to Fenech-Soler?

BD: Of course... We are a band from a small place called Oundle in Northamptonshire but have recently moved to London. I never like to pigeonhole us but we have been described as a synth-pop band with an 80's feel... whatever that is.

There is myself, my brother Ross Duffy, Dan Francis and Andrew Lindsey. We have been together playing live as the four of us for about 4 months.

CC: And what are you up to at the moment? Touring/recording?

BD: Well, we have really just been recording in our studio at home for the last few months with the odd few shows in London. We are really hoping to be getting out on the road very soon though. After playing in London a lot this summer we have a real desire to get up north so hopefully we can get as far as Scotland!

CC: Who are are you listening to these days? Got your eye on any up-and-coming talent?

BD: Well to be honest we constantly listen to a whole load of stuff like Bowie, Talking Heads, Frankie Goes to Hollywood... We have a real passion for electronic music. We are massively into the Australian scene with bands like The Presets ect... and also producers such as DIM, Gui Barrato, Joakim. The list could be endless!

CC: What do you like to do that's non-musical?

BD: Not much to be honest! If we aren’t recording/playing/djing then we are usually out seeing bands or at various London clubs. Although i have to say i do have a small obsession with the Pesterella burger at Gourmet Burger Kitchen at the moment. Music and GBK all the way.

CC: Have you been to any festivals this summer?

BD: Yeah, we went to the best festival all of us have ever been to this summer... It was the Secret Garden Party. We were actually playing in the dance tent but we just thought the whole thing was so well put together and the environment was insane. I hope it stays a secret!

CC: What are your views on how the Internet is changing the way music is discovered and distributed? Good thing/bad thing?

BD: I think good thing... It's difficult as it has become very hard to raise your head musically above the crowd. There is so much talent out there and not enough gets the attention it deserves. I mean I couldn’t even begin to think how to promote or keep a fan base with out the world wide web!

It's a hard time to gain backing from labels and industry as no one is buying albums anymore so the whole thing is on it's head at the moment. All of this said, if it's good then it should stand out.

CC: Where would you like to see Fenech-Soler in a years time?

BD: I think we constantly set our sights on the immediate next thing... for us it's about planning the rest of this year and certainly 2009 with a view to spending next summer in some whirl wind of festivals!

And then, in true Cassette Culture style, Ben whipped us up a quick 6-track mixtape. Here it is, "Fenech-Soler vs Gourmet Burger Kitchen"



Tracklist:
1. Poni Hoax - Hypercommunication (Joakim Remix)
2. Friendly Fires - Lovesick
3. Michael Jackson - PYT
4. D.I.M - Is You
5. Frankie Goes to Hollywood - Relax
6. Mutemath - Reset

www.myspace.com/fenechsoler