4/24/12

MIREL WAGNER

Just weeks after releasing her stunning debut album, press continues to roll in for Mirel Wagner from the likes of the New York Times, Pitchfork, CMJ, Pop Matters, USA Today/Pop Candy, Vogue.com, eMusic, MTV Iggy and many more.

Mirel will be returning to the US this fall for a performance at the Hopscotch Music Festival in Raleigh, North Carolina! More information can be found here.

4/19/12

KISSES REMIX REGINA

The Fader just premiered the superb new remix of Regina's "Haluan Sinut" by the LA group Kisses... it sounds awesome! Stream it here and download here

4/12/12

STREAM MIREL WAGNER VIA SPOTIFY

3/26/12

MIREL WAGNER DEBUT ALBUM OUT NOW!

We are so pleased to announce the North American release of Mirel Wagner's stunning self-titled debut album. The album is available in a wide array of digital formats via our very own Topspin shop and in CD format via mailorder. You can also find the release at any number of shops online (Amazon, eMusic, Insound, iTunes, Rdio, Spotify) and hopefully at your local record store.

3/20/12

FAUNTS IN MASS EFFECT 3

Faunts "M4 (pt ii)" appeared in the original Mass Effect video game and soundtrack. We're happy to announce that Mass Effect 3 was released on March 6th and features another stellar Faunts track Das Malefitz" ! Once again the song appears in the end credits so you'll need to finish the game to hear it. Good luck!

3/6/12

MIREL WAGNER @ SXSW 2012

Mirel Wagner will be making her debut North American performance at SXSW this year. She'll be playing a number of shows and if you'll be in Austin we hope you'll come check her out and say hello.

TUESDAY 3/13
2:00am @ Roy's Austin for PureVolume party (340 E 2nd st)
FREE (RSVP required) purevolume.com/thehouse 

WEDNESDAY 3/14
7:45pm @ Red 7 for RED/Sony party - OFFICIAL SHOWCASE (611 E 7th St)
SXSW badge/wristband required

THURSDAY 3/15
2pm @ Spill Bar for Pop Montreal party (212 E 6th St.)
FREE (RSVP recommended) popmontreal.com/en/pop-is-serious-rsvp

FRIDAY 3/16
4pm @ Weirdo's for North by North Austin (12408 N Mopac Expwy)
FREE

SATURDAY 3/17
4pm @ Domy Books for KVRX party (913 E Cesar Chavez)
FREE

7pm @ Maison D'Etoile for KevChino party (2109 E Cesar Chavez)
FREE

1/30/12

FRIENDLY FIRE SIGNS MIREL WAGNER, DEBUT ALBUM OUT MARCH 26

We are overjoyed to announce the newest addition to our roster: Mirel Wagner. The debut album from Ethiopian-Finnish folksinger Mirel Wagner is a haunting, quiet piece of work that is unflinchingly melancholy and subtly poetic. Mirel draws from a deep tradition of moody, introspective songwriters like Leonard Cohen and Nick Drake, combining stoicly picked, almost trance-inducing acoustic guitar, a voice you wouldn't expect to hear from a 23 year old, and lyrics that deal with dark and ghostly themes: necromancy, love, death and the devil. Mirel's music is deeply intimate and startlingly beautiful, and signals the emergence of a striking new talent. Pre-order her album here and watch the video for "No Death" here.

11/08/11

TREEFIGHT FOR SUNLIGHT "A COLLECTION OF VIBRATIONS FOR YOUR SKULL" OUT NOW

Treefight For Sunlight's stunning debut full length album "A Collection of Vibrations for Your Skull" is out now! You can listen to a stream of the entire album at AOL Spinner. The digital album is available for purchase via our very own Topspin shop along with many fine digital retailers including iTunes, eMusic, Amazon, and Other Music.

10/06/11

TREEFIGHT FOR SUNLIGHT "A COLLECTION OF VIBRATIONS FOR YOUR SKULL"

What can we say? As long as the quality of music coming out of Scandinavia remains good, we will remain dedicated to finding the best of the best and helping to bring it to audiences this side of the Atlantic. Our latest discovery is the Copenhagen-based quartet Treefight for Sunlight, protégés of Friendly Fire labelmates Oh No Ono. Treefight for Sunlight weave together the legacy of California's west coast art pop, with its origins in the epic harmonies of the Association and the Turtles, as well as the more experimental sounds of 70's icons Sparks and LA's  Paisley Underground scene. Fans of the Flaming Lips, MGMT and Panda Bear will surely also appreciate Treefight for Sunlight's layered, twisting, caramelized energy and absorbing imagery.

Treefight for Sunlight's delightfully phantasmagoric debut "A Collection of Vibrations for Your Skull" comes out November 8, but in the meantime you can check out the first single "Facing the Sun" here.

Check out a video for "Facing the Sun" here.

10/06/11

WINDMILL & DELAY TREES

The Delay Trees song "Gold" just aired in the season premiere of Grey's Anatomy. Fans can watch the episode on hulu.com. The song begins playing at the 30 minute mark.

Starting this past Friday, Verizon Mobile has begun widely airing a commercial featuring Windmill's "Tokyo Moon" from the album "Puddle City Racing Lights" that will be running nationwide for the next five months or so. Watch the video here.

Both tracks can be purchased directly from us via our Topspin shop.

08/31/11

REGINA "SOITA MULLE" OUT SEPTEMBER 20TH

We are proud to announce a new album from the superb Finnish-language band Regina. Entitled "Soita Mulle" [Call Me], the album is a courageous departure from the previous album  "Puutarhatrilogia", moving from the synth-based sounds of the band's older work to a dreamy, introspective sound influenced by the halcyon days of 4AD and Sarah Records.  The band, comprised of composer-producer Mikko Pykäri, singer-lyricist Ilsa Pykäri and drummer Mikko Rissanen, effortlessly cross the language barrier with their lovelorn dream-pop.

Check out the lead track "Unessa" over at Pitchfork and "Jos Et Sä Soita" here.

Pre-order the album from our Topspin shop and receive the digital files on the release date.

08/12/11

ERIKA SPRING / VIOLENS SPLIT 7" & TOPSPIN

We're thrilled to announce the split 7" release between Erika Spring and Violens. The 7" features the track "It Couldn't Be Perceived" from Violens' debut album Amoral (catch the Caroline Polachek directed video here) and "6 More Weeks" from Erika Spring - her first release as a solo artist, and one that, while darker and moodier than her work with Au Revoir Simone, is nonetheless sure to please fans of that group. Order it from our webshop and check out upcoming dates for each of these artists:

ERIKA SPRING
08/18 New York, NY @ Tammany Hall (DJ set at the Handsome Furs after party)
09/11 Brooklyn, NY @ Rock Shop w/ Bachelorette

VIOLENS
08/24 Brooklyn, NY @ Glasslands

And if you prefer your music in digital format you'll be pleased to hear that our entire digital catalog is now available for purchase directly from us via our Friendly Fire Recordings Topspin Shop. Releases are available in a wide variety of digital formats: High-Quality MP3, AAC, MP3 HD, Apple Lossless, FLAC, or Apple Lossless + FLAC. Visit Friendly Fire's Topspin shop for more info.

07/08/11

FRIENDLY FIRE RECORDINGS T-SHIRTS AND HOODIES FOR SALE

We're proud to announce that Friendly Fire t-shirts and hoodies are in stock! Featuring the label logo, these shirts are printed on soft unisex Alternative Apparel or American Apparel and the hoodies are printed on Fruit of the Loom and are guaranteed to make you the coolest person in your township or locality. Four designs available: black on heather grey t-shirt, black on heather black t-shirt, red on heather black t-shirt, and red on black hoodie. They're both stylish and comfy, and everybody will know what good musical taste you have. Visit Friendly Fire's Spreadshirt shop for more info.

06/29/11

FRIENDLY FIRE RECORDINGS NEWSLETTER

If you haven't subscribed to Friendly Fire's newsletter here is your chance to catch up on the latest happenings with Violens/Erika Spring, The Concretes, Regina and more: Friendly Fire Missive #39
If you'd like to receive our monthly newsletter in your inbox subscribe to it here.

05/23/11

VIOLENS SINGLE SERIES CONTINUES

Violens have just released the fourth installment in their yearlong single series. Your purchase of the brand new single "Top of the Mountain" comes with hi-resolution artwork and a bonus track cover of "Hollow Inside." Preview the track and purchase here: violens.net

05/10/11

DELAY TREES OUT NOW! ACRYLICS NOW AVAILABLE ON VINYL!

We are overjoyed to announce the digital release of Finnish band Delay Trees' self-titled debut full length. You can pick up their digital release at a number of digital retailers including iTunes, Amazon, Other Music, eMusic and many more. Visit our webshop for more info.

Acrylics are currently touring the US in celebration of their "Lives and Treasure" debut full length release. And we're proud to be able to make that release available on vinyl. Snag a copy from the band during one of their forthcoming tour dates or via our webshop.

05/02/11

ACRYLICS IN-STORE, NEW REGINA SINGLE, & SOUNDCLOUD

Get ready Houston. Acrylics will be stopping by Cactus Music (2110 Portsmouth, Houston, TX 77098) on May 11th for an in-store performance at 5:30 p.m. Refreshments will be provided by St Arnold Brewing Company. Catch them later that night opening for Junip at Mink as part of their current spring tour.

Pitchfork just premiered "Jos Et Sä Soita" - the newest single from Regina. The Finnish band's next album will be released this fall.

We've made a number of tracks by our artists available for your streaming pleasure on Soundcloud.

04/26/11

VIOLENS SINGLES AVAILABLE ON AMAZON & ITUNES

Violens first two releases in their single series "When To Let Go" and "Be Still" which were previously released via Topspin are now available on Amazon and iTunes. Get them here.

04/15/11

DELAY TREES "ABOUT BROTHERS" VIDEO PREMIERE

Paste Magazine has just debuted the gorgeous video for the song "About Brothers" by our newest signing, the Finnish shoegazers Delay Trees. Check it out here!

04/06/11

FRIENDLY FIRE SIGNS DELAY TREES, DEBUT FULL-LENGTH OUT MAY 10

We are overjoyed to announce the newest addition to our roster: Delay Trees. Finland's Delay Trees are one of the most interesting new bands to come out of the Nordic indie music scene. Their sound brings to mind various other oft-cited Scandinavian musical touchstones - Sigur Ros, Mew - but what sets Delay Trees apart is that their songs, while expansive and cinematic in their presentation, are anchored by a savvy sense of melody and counterpoint. Their debut self-titled full length will come out as a digital only release on May 10.

04/05/11

FREE DIGITAL SAMPLER AVAILABLE VIA AMAZON

It's been a few years since we made a digital sampler widely available. We've added a number of terrific bands to the roster since then and it feels like a great time to celebrate and share their music with you. The sampler features mp3s by Acrylics, Delay Trees, Oh No Ono, Regina, The Concretes, The Phenomenal Handclap Band, and Violens. Also included are remixes by Caribou, Mogwai, and Fujiya & Miyagi. You can download the entire sampler or individual tracks for **free** at Amazon.

03/30/11

VIOLENS NEW SINGLE, MERCH & SHOW

Violens have just released the second installment in their yearlong single series. You can preview the song and purchase "Be Still" now via Topspin. The band have also made merchandise available at their webstore and a free download of "Be Still" is available with a purchase from the shop. (Just send your "Order ID" number to: staticrecording (at) gmail (dot) com)

And if all that weren't exciting enough you can catch the band on April 6th @ Knitting Factory in Brooklyn, NY. They'll be sharing the stage with two of their favorite bands: Pablo Picasso and Erika Spring.

03/28/11

VOTE FOR ACRYLICS ON MTVU

You have another opportunity to show your support for our bands by casting your vote to help Acrylics "Nightwatch" video directed by House Plants win Best Freshmen video on mtvU. 
Voting begins now and ends Friday at 2:00 pm EST

03/21/11

VOTE FOR THE WHITSUNDAYS ON MTVU

Cast your vote (as many times as you like, there is no limit) to help The Whitsundays "You Know I Can't Lie" video directed by Liam Mitchell  win Best Freshmen video on mtvU. 
Voting begins now and ends Friday at 2:00 pm EST

03/09/11

FRIENDLY FIRE RECORDINGS AT SXSW '11

We have two bands at SXSW this year. Both Acrylics and Violens will be playing a series of shows during the festival, and Friendly Fire is going to be hosting a free, open-to-the-public day show, in tandem with Lefse Records and the blog I Guess I'm Floating, on Friday 3/18 at Lipstick 24 (606 East 7th Street, right off of Red River).

ACRYLICS
3/18 - 3:30pm @ Lipstick 24, 606 East 7th St. (Friendly Fire Recordings party)
3/18 (Friday night) - 12:10am @ Nuvola, 105 East 5th St. (Prefix Mag/Audible Treats SXSW showcase)
3/19 - 1:45pm @ ND/501 Studios, 501 I-35 at 6th St. (Terrorbird licensing party)
3/19 - 4:30pm @ FADO, 214 West 4th St. (Noise/Racket party)

VIOLENS
3/16 - 12:45pm @ Red 7, 611 East 7th St. (Terrorbird/Force Field PR party) 
3/16 - 4pm @ Lipstick 24, 606 East 7th St. (Flavorpill/Musebox party)
3/17 - 12pm @ Flamingo Cantina, 515 East 6th St. (Under the Radar party) 
3/17 - 9:45pm @ Beauty Bar Austin, 617 East 7th St. (iheartcomix SXSW showcase)
3/18 - 2:30pm @ Mellow Johnny's, 400 Neuces St. (KEXP session)
3/18 - 5pm @ Lipstick 24, 606 East 7th St. (Friendly Fire Recordings party)

03/04/11

ACRYLICS "LIVES AND TREASURE" OUT NOW; SPRING TOUR WITH JUNIP

Acrylics' stellar debut full-length "Lives and Treasure" is out now. You can download two tracks here and buy it via our webshop.

In celebration of their release the band will be touring around the country this spring.
03/29 Brooklyn, NY @ Knitting Factory w/ Papercuts, Banjo or Freakout

Tour dates with Junip:
04/20 Toronto, Ontario  @ Lee's Palace 
04/21 Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop 
04/22 Ann Arbor, MI  @ The Blind Pig 
04/23 Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle 
04/24 Evanston, IL @ SPACE 
04/25 Minneapolis, MN @ Cedar Cultural Center 
04/28 Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge 
04/29 Salt Lake City, UT @ The State Room 
05/01 Spokane, WA @ The Empyrean 
05/02 Seattle, WA @ Neumos 
05/03 Vancouver, British Columbia @ The Rio Theatre 
05/04 Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom 
05/06 Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre 
05/07 Costa Mesa, CA @ Detroit Bar 
05/08 Tucson, AZ @ Plush 
05/10 Austin, TX @ The Mohawk 
05/11 Houston, TX @ Mink 
05/12 New Orleans, LA @ Republic 
05/14 Louisville, KY @ Headliners Music Hall 
05/15 Columbus, OH @ Wexner Center 
05/16 Asheville, NC @ Orange Peel 
05/17 Carrboro, NC @ Cats Cradle 
05/18 Philadelphia, PA @ World Café 
05/19 New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom 
05/20 Wilmington, DE @ World Café Live at The Queen 
05/21 Burlington, VT @ HG Showcase Lounge 
05/22 Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall 

02/28/11

THE CONCRETES CANCEL SHOW IN COLUMBIA, ADD CALIFORNIA DATES

Due to unforeseen circumstances The Concretes have had to cancel their performance at the Museo de Arte Modern Medellin in Columbia. However, they have added a couple more dates to their US tour:
03/09 - Goleta, CA @ Mercury Lounge
03/10 - Pomona, CA @ The Glass House

02/09/11

VIOLENS LAUNCH BRAND NEW SINGLE SERIES

It was just a few short months ago that Violens released their extraordinary debut album "Amoral", but they've never been the type of guys to rest on their laurels, and they are already back with what promises to be the first of a series of new tracks to be rolled out over the course of the next few months. Buying the single includes an alternate mix and high resolution artwork. The $1.59 will be put towards future music making in the studio and on tour. One dollar of it goes directly to Violens, the $0.59 is for Topspin's servicing and processing fees. Friendly Fire is taking no money - we just want to share the music with you! Purchase the single here.

NY duo Acrylics (Molly Shea and Jason Klauber) have just debuted the video for "Nightwatch," the fifth track off their forthcoming full-length, "Lives and Treasure." The video for "Nightwatch" was a collaboration with directing team House Plants, and was filmed on location at the Wassaiac Project - an upstate NY oasis of spooky ancient buildings, ominous rivers, and eerie landscapes that match the one of the single perfectly. Watch the video here.

01/14/11

FRIENDLY FIRE SIGNS ACRYLICS, DEBUT ALBUM "LIVES AND TREASURE" OUT MARCH 1

We are very proud to announce an exciting new addition to Friendly Fire's roster: the fantastic Brooklyn duo Acrylics! Comprised of the superbly talented Molly Shea and Jason Klauber, Acrylics have been quickly building a buzz throughout NYC (as evidenced by their recent "Rising" feature on Pitchfork) with their distinct brand of woozy, somnambulant dream pop. Their debut album "Lives and Treasure" is a sparkling, meditative album of uncommon beauty, and we are very excited to be co-releasing it with the band's own imprint Hot Sand Records on March 1.

01/10/11

VOTE FOR VIOLENS ON MTVU

Cast your vote (over and over again) to help Violens "Violent Sensation Descends" video win Best Freshmen video on mtvU: http://freshmen.mtvu.com/ Voting begins now and ends Friday at 2:00 pm EST.

12/02/10

OH NO ONO "EGGS" ARTWORK PACKAGING NOMINATED FOR A GRAMMY!!

We are absolutely elated to announce the news that Oh No Ono have been nominated for a Grammy for Best Recording Packaging for their album Eggs. The packaging for Eggs, lovingly crafted by Malene Mathiasson, features embossed, egg-shaped artwork and a series of darkly sexual, mix-and-match paintings. To preview the artwork and/or stream audio please visit this site.

11/16/10

NEW RELEASES: THE CONCRETES, VIOLENS, & THE PHENOMENAL HANDCLAP BAND

We are celebrating the release of THREE stellar new albums this month.

The Concretes "WYWH"
The newest album from Swedish indie-pop legends the Concretes is dreamy and beautiful, but with a pulsing, hypnotic backbeat that is a new and welcome addition to the band's signature sound. Buy it here.

Violens "Amoral"
Blending the ambient synths of Cocteau Twins and Sisters of Mercy with blistering guitar textures evoking Crass and Minor Threat, NYC band Violens' debut album presents psychedelic sonic collages layered with 60's vocal harmonies. Buy it here.

The Phenomenal Handclap Band "Remixes"
While the Phenomenal Handclap Band goes back into the studio to work on their much-anticipated second album, it only seemed right for us to put their stellar 2009 debut in the hands of some of today's finest remixers (Fujiya & Miyagi, Den Haan) and see what they came up with. Buy it here.

All three bands will be hitting the road in the near future. For now we can announce these dates:

The Phenomenal Handclap Band
12/04 New York, NY @ Brooklyn Bowl

Violens
12/11 New York, NY @ Santos Party House

The Concretes
01/14 - Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social Club
01/15 - Chicago, IL @ Schubas Tavern
01/16 - Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick
01/17 - Toronto, ON @ Legendary Horseshoe Tavern
01/18 - Ottawa, ON @ Mavericks
01/19 - Montreal, QC @ La Sala Rossa
01/20 - Boston, MA @ Great Scott
01/22 - New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
01/24 - Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brendas
01/25 - Washington, DC @ Rock and Roll Hotel
02/26 - Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
02/28 - Seattle, WA @ Neumos
03/01 - Vancouver, BC @ Biltmore Cabaret
03/04 - Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour
03/05 - San Diego, CA @ Casbah

10/25/10

VIOLENS TOUR

In the wake of a hugely successful CMJ showcase, Violens are hitting the road for a short set of US dates before heading to Europe. Come on out.
11/05 Chicago, IL @ Schubas Tavern
11/06 Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick
11/07 Toronto, ON @ Drake Hotel
11/08 Montreal, QC @ Casa del Popolo
11/09 Boston, MA @ Middle East (upstairs)

10/18/10

MOGWAI REMIXES REGINA

Regina's "Saanko jäädä yöksi?" gets the remix treatment by Scottish post-rock legends Mogwai. Check out the mp3 here.

10/18/10

FRIENDLY FIRE BANDS AT CMJ

CMJ takes place this week in New York and we recommend you take the opportunity to catch a few performances by our very own bands in attendance:

THE PHENOMENAL HANDCLAP BAND (DJing)
10/20 New York, NY @ CMJ - Sneak Attack Media & Steve Madden Music Party - The Delancey (1-6pm) **FREE** flyer

VIOLENS
10/21 New York, NY @ CMJ - Guess I'm Floating - Pianos (3:30pm) **FREE** flyer
10/22 New York, NY @ CMJ - Force Field Showcase - Pianos (10:00pm) flyer

ELK CITY
10/22 New York, NY @ CMJ - Official Showcase - Living Room (8:30pm) flyer

9/20/10

FRIENDLY FIRE SIGNS VIOLENS!

We're proud to announce another new addition to the Friendly Fire family: Violens, a superbly talented and genre-bending group from right here in New York City. Led by the multitalented Jorge Elbrecht (founder of art-pop collective Lansing-Dreiden), Violens create psychedelic sonic collages layered with 60's vocal harmonies, blending the ambient synths of Cocteau Twins and Sisters of Mercy with blistering guitar textures evoking Crass or Minor Threat. Violens are fresh off a tour opening for MGMT and we are super excited to help share their music with the world!

Check out the song "Acid Reign" here.

And even though summer is winding up (sad as it is to think), you'd be well advised to check out the extremely awesome Violens Summer Mixtape here.

9/20/10

WHITSUNDAYS SHOWS

Those of you north of the border have a slew of opportunties to check out our very own the Whitsundays in the coming months:
09/24 Victoria, BC @ Rifflandia @ alix Goolden Concert Hall w/ Great Lake Swimmers
10/02 Montreal, QC @ Pop Montreal @  BBQ - Notman House
10/02 Montreal, QC @ Pop Montreal @ L'Escogriffe
11/13 Edmonton, AB @ The Starlite Room w/ Shout Out Out Out Out, Christian Hansen and The Autistics

8/30/10

FRIENDLY FIRE SIGNS THE CONCRETES!

We are very proud to announce that Friendly Fire Recordings will be putting out the extraordinary new album "WYWH" from indie-pop legends the Concretes! And this is the best album the Swedish eight-piece has ever created, to boot. It's a departure from their earlier work, in all the best ways: dreamy and beautiful, but with a pulsing, hypnotic (dare we say disco?) backbeat that is a new and welcome addition to the Concretes' signature sound.

"WYWH" comes out on November 9, but you can check out the gorgeous lead single "Good Evening" here right now.

8/17/10

OH NO ONO ON DAYTROTTER

You can now download a very special Daytrotter Session with Oh No Ono right here. We think the recording sounds great and while you're at it you should navigate Daytrotter for some of their other fantastic sessions.

8/5/10

REGINA REVIEWED IN PITCHFORK!

Pitchfork recently wrote a very favorable review of Regina "Puutarhatrilogia" album - "Their sound is cosmopolitan, multifarious, and given to sly pastiche-- in other words, thoroughly global." You can read the full review here, download two free mp3s here, and purchase the album here.

7/27/10

OH NO ONO "INTERNET WARRIOR" EP OUT NOW!

The brand new Oh No Ono "Internet Warrior" EP is out now digitally via iTunes, eMusic, Other Music and many others. The EP includes remixes by Caribou, Efterklang, The Phenomenal Handclap Band, Shlohmo, The Deprecition Guild and Zambri. As a bonus, the North American version of this release includes remixes from Birds & Batteries and Higamos Hogamos that are not available anywhere else.

7/26/10

OH NO ONO VIDEO PREMIERE, REGINA MP3 & ELK CITY SHOW

Oh No Ono's "Internet Warrior" EP is out now on a limited edition 12" and available from our webshop and Insound.com. On July 27th the EP will be released digitally via iTunes, eMusic and other fine retailers. Spin.com just premiered the video for "Internet Warrior" which was directed by the supremely talented team of Carolina Melis and Alessandro Monaco.

Fader.com recently premiered a song by Finnish synth wizards Regina. "Sinun tässä salissa" is taken from their digital album, "Puutarhatrilogia".

Elk City will be celebrating the release of their gorgeous "House of Tongues" album with a performance on August 3rd at Joe's Pub in New York City. Tickets are currently on sale.

7/19/10

FRIENDLY FIRE IN BILLBOARD MAGAZINE

Friendly Fire Recordings label manager/founder/owner Dan Koplowitz is featured in a full-page interview in the latest issue of Billboard magazine! We've linked to a JPG of the article, which is an interview between Dan and Glassnote founder Daniel Glass.

6/22/10

REGINA "PUUTARHATRILOGIA" OUT NOW

We are proud to announce the digital release of the Finnish band Regina's extraordinary US debut "Puutarhatrilogia"! We saw this extraordinary band for the first time in a city two hours outside of Helsinki, and immediately knew we had to sign them. They sing in their native tongue, lending a surreal, otherworldy quality to their distinguished blend of electronic beats, folk and world music, wild percussion, and slightly-hazy melodies. Regina exists somewhere between the alien soundscapes of Fever Ray and the sultriness of Charlotte Gainsbourg, and while their lyrics may be indecipherable to most western ears, we assure you that their music is superlatively good. You can pick up their debut digital release at number of digital retailers including iTunes and eMusic.

6/14/10

OH NO ONO TRADES REMIXES WITH EFTERKLANG

Fellow Danes Efterklang and Oh No Ono have teamed up to remix songs from the other's critically acclaimed 2010 albums, Magic Chairs and Eggs. Oh No Ono tackles "Modern Drift" from Magic Chairs, while Efterklang takes their turn with "Icicles" from Eggs.  In celebration of the remix swap and the arrival of summer, both bands teamed up for a fun fan video, featuring excerpts of both the original versions of the songs.  

6/01/10

ELK CITY "HOUSE OF TONGUES" OUT TODAY

Today's the day! We are proud to announce the release of Elk City's fourth - and best - album, "House of Tongues." With this album, the band (which now features Sean Eden from dream-pop luminaries Luna as a full-time member) has truly grown into its own, crafting catchy, deeply melodic songs that showcase singer Renée LoBue's singular voice. This is a fantastic album and highly recommended for anybody who has ever enjoyed 70s FM radio pop. Check out "Jerks On Ice" here.

Elk City is celebrating the release of their album by playing the Bell House in Brooklyn this Friday, June 4. Tickets can be purchased here.

5/21/10

THE PHENOMENAL HANDCLAP BAND @ MUSIC HALL OF WILLIAMSBURG

The Phenomenal Handclap Band are playing their first big NYC headlining gig in some time on June 12th at Music Hall of Williamsburg. Come see them before they head off to the UK for the legendary Glastonbury festival.

Warm Up Party at Beco Bar - 45 Richardson 4-8pm w/ Sean Marquand (PHB) & KariBomb. $5 Guava Caipirinha & Mimosas. Free Tecate w/ purchase of a PHB ticket

After Party is at Brooklyn Bowl. Free with a PHB ticket. 12-4 w/ Hercules & Love Affair DJ set & French Horn Rebellions Live. 

5/04/10

THE WHITSUNDAYS "SAUL" OUT TODAY

We are very proud to announce the release of the second full-length album from Canadian psych-pop supergroup the Whitsundays. Entitled "Saul", it is a resplendent collection of vintage psychedelia and jangly pop - quite a bit darker and weirder than their Zombies-flavored debut album, but still anchored by an unshakable sense of melody. Think of a cross between the sincerity and distress of Galaxie 500 and the carefully-sculpted noisy reverb of Ariel Pink and you're almost there... or just follow the lead of Rolling Stone, who have declared the Whitsundays "the next big Canadian indie supergroup" (the band features members of Faunts and Shout Out Out Out Out).

4/26/10

PHB FEATURED ON TONIGHT'S EPISODE OF GOSSIP GIRL

Tonight's episode of Gossip Girl features the song "Dim the Lights" by none other than The Phenomenal Handclap Band!

3/26/10

PHENOMENAL HANDCLAP BAND APRIL DATES

The Phenomenal Handclap Band have been spending a lot of time abroad this year but for those of you out East you'll have a few chances to catch the band live next month.
4/01 Northampton, MA @ Iron Horse Music Hall (buy tickets)
4/02 Middlebury, VT @ Middlebury College - McCullough Student Center (buy tickets)
4/03 Montreal, QC @ Le Belmont (buy tickets)
4/30 NYC, NY @ Terminal 5 w/ Gossip, Rye Rye (buy tickets)  

3/8/10

FRIENDLY FIRE RECORDINGS AT SXSW

For the first time ever, Friendly Fire Recordings is going to be putting on an official showcase in sunny Austin, TX for SXSW, and we've brought along some of our favorite friends to round out the bill. Come say hello!

Friday 3/19 at Lambert's (402 West 2nd Street @ Guadalupe - less than a five minute walk from 6th St!) free giveaways of Pomp & Circumstance magazine!
1am - SLOW CLUB (Moshi Moshi)
12am - OH NO ONO
11pm - A SUNNY DAY IN GLASGOW (Mis Ojos Discos)
10pm - ELK CITY
9pm - THE WHITSUNDAYS
8pm - TAPE DECK MOUNTAIN (Lefse)

Oh No Ono, Elk City, and the Whitsundays have some other shows throughout the course of the week to which you are all invited as well:

WEDNESDAY 3/17:
2:55pm - Oh No Ono @ Terrorbird day party, Red 7 (611 East 7th St.)


THURSDAY 3/18:
3:30pm - Oh No Ono @ Billions day party, Mohawk (912 Red River St.)
6pm - Oh No Ono @ Homeslice Pizza "Music by the Slice" party (1415 South Congress)

FRIDAY 3/19:
12:15pm - The Whitsundays @ Everlasting Records party, Design Within Reach (200 West 2nd St.)
1pm - Oh No Ono @ Mess With Texas, (1001 E. 6th St)
5pm - Oh No Ono @ Danish day party, The Music Gym (815 East 6th St.)

SATURDAY 3/20:
4pm - Elk City @ Redhouse Pizza "Music for Listeners" party (1917 Manor Rd.)
5pm - Oh No Ono @ Filter/Dickies day party, Lustre Pearl (97 Rainey St.)

3/2/10

ITUNES LABEL FEATURE AND SALE

The folks at iTunes have graced us with a label feature and as an added benefit you can grab a number of our titles you've hopefully been meaning to check out for the budget friendly price of $7.99 or less. The sale starts today and will last for one week only. Check it out.

2/1/10

OH NO ONO 2XLP PRE-ORDER

Oh No Ono's stunning debut is now available for pre-order on 2xLP format direct from our webshop.

If you missed the band during their recent trip to New York you can catch them performing a couple of songs (in a kitchen) for the Tripwire. You can also check out a sweet mixtape by the Danes over at 'Sup Magazine.

1/26/10

OH NO ONO DEBUT OUT NOW

The day has finally come, Oh No Ono's "Eggs" album is out now on CD and in MP3 form. You can purchase a copy directly from us, iTunes, eMusic, Amazon, Insound, or at your local record store. The 2xLP version of the album will be available in early March. High quality 24-bit masters were used as the source material and the album was cut using Direct Metal Mastering (DMM). The result is beautiful...and extra loud.

Those of you in New York will have multiple chances to catch the band this week. Tonite the band is performing an in-store at Sound Fix at 7pm. Tomorrow they are at Mercury Lounge with Bear in Heaven (this show is sold out). On Thursday the band will be performing at Union Hall - tickets are still available here.

1/12/10

PHENOMENAL HANDCLAP 2xLP OUT NOW! OH NO ONO DEBUT US DATES & ITUNES PRE-RELEASE

The strikingly beautiful 2xLP version of the Phenomenal Handclap Band's debut album is out now. You can purchase a copy (which includes an mp3 download code) from our dear webshop. If you live on the west coast the band will be playing in LA & SF this week too! More info available here.

On top of that bit of good news we're pleased to announce that Oh No Ono's "Eggs" album is now available exclusively at iTunes. Other digital service providers will have the album available on January 26th - the same release date as the CD. To celebrate the release of the album the band will be in NYC next to unleash their live show upon us. The Mercury Lounge show with Bear in Heaven is sold out but tickets are still available for the Union Hall show in Brooklyn.

1/06/10

PHENOMENAL HANDCLAP VINYL OUT SOON! OH NO ONO MINISITE!

Happy new year from all of us at Friendly Fire! We're coming out the gate strong in 2010... Tuesday January 12 marks the release date of the gorgeous double-vinyl version of the Phenomenal Handclap Band's debut album (complete with digital download), followed two weeks later by the January 26 release date of Oh No Ono's masterpiece "Eggs". Is it too early to call "Eggs" 2010's album of the year? Perhaps, but we're going to say it anyway: this is one of the best albums you will hear all year long.

We've really gone all-out to make an extraordinary package for the physical CD version of "Eggs", too. You can find a rather wonderful microsite for "Eggs" here. It's a digital version of the CD booklet designed by Danish artist Malene Mathiasson, and you can also listen to three songs from the album. Please take a moment to check it out! We're rather proud of it.

12/15/09

OH NO ONO CD & PHENOMENAL HANDCLAP BAND VINYL PRE-ORDERS

You can now pre-order Oh No Ono's US debut on CD (vinyl pre-order coming soon) along with Phenomenal Handclap Band's debut album on 2xLP from our webshop. Both releases will ship to arrive on or before release date.

12/01/09

PHENOMENAL HANDCLAP BAND VAANKAST & "15 to 20" VOTING

If you've ever been curious about the sounds that inspire the Phenomenal Handclap Band head on over to the Tripwire and download The Phenomenal Vaankast. This first installment of their Vaankast comes from the band as they travel through Germany. And while you're listening we recommend you direct your browser to mtvU where you can vote for band's "15 to 20" video. The video with the most votes gets added to regular rotation on mtvU and we'd love nothing more than to see PHB's video grace the airwaves time and time again.

11/03/09

FRIENDLY FIRE SIGNS DANISH BAND OH NO ONO, FIRST SINGLE OUT NOW!

We are proud to share the news that we've just signed the incredible Danish band Oh No Ono. Their brilliant, otherworldy psychedelic pop captured our attention in quick fashion, and we are proud to announce that today we are releasing the first single from their upcoming US debut album "Eggs", entitled "Swim", in digital form.  The Pitchfork-approved video for "Swim" was directed by Adam Hashemi and can be seen here. Friendly Fire is releasing "Eggs" throughout North America on January 26, 2010. This a truly remarkable band and we are absolutely thrilled to have them on our roster!

PHENOMENAL HANDCLAP BAND RELEASE REMIX ALBUM, LIVE EP

The year of the Phenomenal Handclap Band continues with two awesome new digital offerings. First up is a selection of tracks from their debut album recorded exclusively for the Limewire digital store. And available now are fifteen stellar dancefloor remixes of "You'll Disappear" and "15 to 20" by a veritable who's-who of cosmic disco producers, including our friends Prins Thomas, Horse Meat Disco, Glimmers, and Montee -- plus an exclusive new b-side from the Phenomenal Handclap Band entitled "Pretty Mask."

WINDMILL "EPCOT STARFIELDS" AVAILABLE ON VINYL!

Lastly, experience Windmill's epic "Epcot Starfields" on vinyl by picking up a copy from our webshop. We have a limited quantity and expect these to go fast.

10/07/09

THE PHENOMENAL HANDCLAP BAND T-SHIRTS!

We now have awesome t-shirts available for the equally awesome Phenomenal Handclap Band. They come in purple on black with an image of hands clapping and in grey on blue with a drawing of the band. Snag a t-shirt through our webshop or at the merch table at any one of the many upcoming Phenomenal Handclap Band shows.

9/21/09

EPCOT STARFIELDS AVAILABE NOW!

The newest album from our favorite British band Windmill, Epcot Starfields, is out now! The singular vision of London's Matthew Dillon, "Epcot Starfields" is a sprawling, ambitious, and heart-rendingly beautiful album inspired by a childhood trip to Florida's EPCOT Center and anchored by Dillon's unmistakably unique vocal warble. Order a copy through the webshop or from your favorite retailer!

In addition to the new record, we're pleased to share with you Windmill's first video from the new album, “Big Boom”. Shot over the course of a sweltering summer day in the South of England and featuring an astronaut on an epic earlthly trek, it's one of the funniest and most charming videos we've seen in a long time.

The Phenomenal Handclap Band has some news as well, with a live EP (recorded over the summer at the London iTunes Festival) available on iTunes, remixes all over the blogosphere, and quite a few new tour dates.

Last but not least, the newest Faunts video, “Feel.Love.Thinking.Of.” premiered on MTV2’s Subterranean last month. It stars Clark Gable's grandson!

6/26/09

THE PHENOMENAL HANDCLAP BAND's DEBUT ALBUM OUT NOW!

The Phenomenal Handclap Band's debut album is finally out! And it's insanely good. Rolling Stone just called the track "15 to 20" "summer's first party jam... wildly catchy", and the New York Post says it is "musically diverse, incredibly melodic, and dance-floor ready. It's the kind of album that gives cookie-cuter pop the thrashing it deserves". Pick it up from our webshop or at your favorite local record store. The album is also available on iTunes, eMusic, and Amazon.

And while you're at it keep up to date on the latest Friendly Fire Recordings goings-on by following us on Twitter.

5/18/09

PRE-ORDER THE PHENOMENAL HANDCLAP BAND

You can now pre-order the upcoming debut record by The Phenomenal Handclap Band on our order page. Huzzah!

4/24/09

NEW SIGNING - THE PHENOMENAL HANDCLAP BAND

We are so very pleased to introduce you to our latest signing, The Phenomenal Handclap Band. They're an NYC group led by veteran producers Daniel Collas and Sean Marquand, and featuring contributions from L'Trimm, Calla, Sí Se, TV on the Radio, The Dap Kings, & The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. PHB blend psychedelic space disco & smooth 60s-style soul perfectly with early hip hop, and moody, synth-soaked hooks. We'll be releasing their debut album this summer.

FAUNTS DIGITAL EP AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY ON ITUNES

Hot on the heels of their Feel.Love.Thinking.Of. full length, Faunts have issued a iTunes exclusive digital EP. The EP features remixes of the title track by up and comers Mexicans with Guns, Leaf & Giraffe and Faunts themselves do a little re-working. All this for the budget friendly price of $2.97.

2/2/09

WIN FREE T-SHIRTS!

From now until Tuesday February 17, anybody who preorders a copy of Faunts Feel.Love.Thinking.Of. here will be entered into a drawing to win free t-shirts from Faunts and Friendly Fire. Yay!

1/27/09

Happy new year! We're long overdue for a news update, aren't we?

FRIENDLY FIRE FEATURED IN BILLBOARD MAGAZINE

Ok, can we brag? We don't really read Billboard Magazine that much - but it's still a tremendous honor to be listed as one of the "next big indie labels" in their most recent issue. We're a member of the "Indie Class of 2009" alongside such distinguished company as Barsuk and Frenchkiss - pretty exciting considering that, until not too long ago, the label was run out of a bedroom in a fourth-floor walk-up in Brooklyn. To paraphrase the cigarette ad: we've come a long way, baby. And we have lots and lots of exciting stuff in store for 2009.

PRE-ORDER FAUNTS FEEL.LOVE.THINKING.OF. NOW!

We've been quivering in anticipation of getting to unleash the extraordinary new Faunts album Feel.Love.Thinking.Of. upon the world for a while now, and now we're almost there - the album comes out February 17, and it's really, really, really good. At once symphonic and sprawling; ambient, yet driving, Feel.Love.Thinking.Of. is the culmination of a year of touring, recording, and meticulous exploration of the band's transcendent imagination. With its effervescent guitars, mathematic loops and synthesizers, surging drums, and seemingly nomadic bass lines, this album is a beautiful expression of Faunts' painstaking attention to instrumentation and arrangement. We think it's their best album yet.

Check out an mp3 of the title track!

Pre-order the album!

ASOBI SEKSU CITRUS AVAILABLE ON DELUXE 180-GRAM GATEFOLD VINYL

Ever since we put out Asobi Seksu's second album Citrus, people have been asking us if we'd be releasing it on vinyl. Well, the day is finally here! For all those who want to experience Citrus in all its hi-fidelity, technicolor glory, we've put it out as a limited-edition, 180-gram, gatefold-cover LP designed by artist Sean McCabe - and because we love vinyl *and* digital music, it also comes with a digital download code for the full album, plus bonus MP3 remixes by CSS and Ulrich Schnauss. Order it here.

FAUNTS REMIXED AVAILABLE NOW

Also currently available (and at a damn good bargain, if we may say so ourselves) is Faunts Remixed, a 4-track, 80+ minute long digital-only assembly of reworked songs from Faunts' first two records, spanning the gamut from four-on-the-floor dancefloor bangers to absract electro-acoustic soundscapes, courtesy of folks like Cadence Weapon, Mark Templeton, Brightest Feathers (aka Saxon Shore), Paronomasiac (aka Nik from Shout Out Out Out Out), Boy in Static, San Serac, Saxon Shore, and many more - including a sparkling reinterpretation of "Gone With the Day" from Faunts themselves. It's out now on iTunes... and did we mention it's only $5.99? Order it here.

More news soon!

Love,

Friendly Fire

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