Taken from their recently released Late Night Tales compilation, ‘Why Don’t Your Answer?’ is Friendly Fires interpretation of the ’78 electronic classic by Eberhard Schoener and Sting. Of the original track and the band’s own cover, Jack Savidge said: “Sting used to be cool! Check out the original of this song and believe it. Eberhard Schoener was a modern classical composer going through a Krautrock phase and Sting lent his vocals and uniquely crunchy sense of melody to this track. We tried to cover it in a way that would fit in with the rest of the tracklist, while maintaining the clean-lines and sleek motorik of the original.”
Check out the exclusive video for the track and what else the guys had to say about their cover here:
The single, as well as remixes by Jay Shepheard and Hot Since 82, is available now from iTunes.
Friendly Fires have released there Late Night Tales compilation today, marking the 30th edition of the compilation series which invites some of the world’s best artists to curate and create their ultimate “late night” selection.
As is to be expected, Friendly Fires’ choices for the compilation are an eclectic selection, including Ontario’s Junior Boys, ’80s Dutch proto-house by Renée, German neo-classical composer Nils Frahm and some of the freshest releases from 2012 in the form of Iron Galaxy ‘Attention Seeker’ and Melody Echo Chamber ‘Endless Shore’.
As is the tradition with all Late Night Tales releases, the album also includes a cover by the curators as well as a spoken word story to concluding things. For their release, Friendly Fires have recorded an exclusive cover version of the ’78 electronic classic ‘Why Don’t You Answer’ by Eberhard Schoener featuring Sting. For the closing chapter, the star of Sherlock and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy – and Friendly Fires fan – Benedict Cumberbatch has narrated the story Flat of Angles , the first part of which features on this record.
The album is available digitally, on CD and limited heavyweight double LP now through the Late Night Tales online store
Friendly Fires have remixed the forthcoming single from AlunaGeorge ‘Your Drums, Your Love’ as part of the Bacardi Beginnings. The mentoring project sees established artist mentor the best up-and-coming music talent and showcase’s them to a wider audience and is part of Bacardi’s 150th birthday celebrations.
Late Night Tales reaches the big 3 – 0, and what a way to celebrate, with a landmark edition from the effervescent Friendly Fires.
Formed in 2006 in the London suburb of St Albans, Friendly Fires trio Ed Macfarlane, Edd Gibson and Jack Savidge recorded their 2008 self-titled debut album in Ed’s parent garage. In view of its DIY conception it made a serious impact, selling over 200,000 copies and picking up a fistful of Brit Award and Mercury nominations along the way. Released in summer 2011, the band’s Aldous Huxley referencing second album Pala further investigated the band’s love of artists like Talking Heads, Timbaland and Scritti Politti but also of the genius techno of Carl Craig and Boards of Canada. So, there we have the perfect prescription of head, heart and footwork that defines ideal participants for constructing Late Night Tales.
The opening third is pitched firmly on the up, tripping back through disco’s global strands with Ontario’s Junior Boys, ’80s Dutch proto-house by Renée, Grammy Award winning Joe Simon, the erotically charged disco funk odyssey ‘Carry On, Turn Me On’ by French outfit Space and anthemic porn-disco ‘Fly Like An Eagle’ by Dennis Parker.
Taking a left turn via the always welcome art-pop auteurs Bibio and Stereolab, the familiar chimes of ‘Hold On’ by SBTRKT ring onto Friendly Fires’ exclusive cover version of the ’78 electronic classic ‘Why Don’t You Answer’ by Eberhard Schoener and Sting. We also see a brace of fresh 2012 releases in the form of Iron Galaxy ‘Attention Seeker’ and Melody Echo Chamber ‘Endless Shore’.
On the final leg, Grouper’s acoustic minimalism attracts the shoegazing daydreams of Cocteau Twins and Slowdive before Friendly Fires take it home with the seemingly unmanageable arrangement of Olivia Newton John into German neo-classical composer Nils Frahm.
Tucking you in, Late Night Tales begin a new bedtime story Flat Of Angles narrated by none other than star of Sherlock, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy – and of next year’s Star Trek sequel and The Hobbit films (and admitted Friendly Fires fan) – Benedict Cumberbatch. Elementary.
Released on 5th November digitally, on CD and limited heavyweight double LP, the album is available to pre-order now through the Late Night Tales online store.
FRIENDYFIRES will headline the ABLE2UK Concert on Monday 20th August at Camden Roundhouse. The inaugural ABLE2UK Concert for disabled awareness, organised by Howard Thorpe, promoted by Metropolis Music and Coda Agency, will take place at Camden’s Roundhouse on 20th August 2012. Confirmed artists alongside Firendly Fires for the event include Frank Turner (solo), Miles Kane, Steve Cradock plus mystery guests to be announced. Advance tickets, available now from See Tickets, Ticketmaster and the Roundhouse box office, are priced at £30.00 with all profits going to the Able2UK organization.
Howard Thorpe, ABLE2UK founder said ‘to have such a line-up of this calibre is a dream come true and will be the perfect way to launch what I hope will become an annual event promoting disabled awareness.’ Money raised from the concert itself will go towards music promoters and venues across the UK improving their faculties for those with disabilities. It will create a brand new ABLE2UK Area which will replace the standard disabled viewing platforms at UK festivals for those in wheelchairs. The profits raised will help those who require special seating arrangements, hearing loops and even an easier way to purchase refreshments at live events. This is not only for wheelchair users, but for the deaf, blind and those with co-ordination barriers.
