Hi Frisco release new single ‘The War’ on February 25th
Speaking about ‘The War’ Henry explains “I started writing this song whilst trying to come to terms with a point in my life where there was a lot of change and no defined path of what to do or where to be for the first time in a long time. The overwhelming amount of creative freedom, the daydreamed abstract ideas, trying to hone it in to something that made some kind of sense, to us at least. The importance of making mistakes, the struggles of life, and all that comes with growing up builds to the outro, which swirls off into a serenity of almost helpless indifference to all that came before as the journey continues.”
Back in November the band released their debut single ‘Snowfall, picking up praise from online tastemakers including: The Line Of Best Fit, Fault Magazine, The Most Radicalist, Atwood Magazine and Record of the Day to name a few. ‘Snowfall’ packs a wobbly, disorientating structure but pairs it with hypnotic melodies in the vein of MGMT and Flaming Lips – it’s an intense and intoxicating. Listen to ‘Snowfall’ here
The pair, originally hailing from Blackpool (Henry) and Yorkshire (Felix), create in their studio, Calmer Than You Are (one of the many Big Lebowski references surrounding the studio) based in a block of creative spaces in East London. They built the studio with another friend, kitting it out to be cosy enough for them to virtually live out of while promoting creativity. It’s the kind of place to lose days in, though you’d be safe in the knowledge that anything put down in this space would no doubt come out sounding special. What they create is, the perfect middle ground between experimentation and smart pop writing.
But who is Hi Frisco? Named after a greeting from the novel, Atlas Shrugged - Henry has been writing and performing as a session musician and guitarist for several years, with work alongside Say Lou Lou, Chlöe Howell, Sunset Sons and Sparkadia. Felix, meanwhile, takes on more of a producer role in the two. He’s worked as a studio engineer with some of the biggest names in the game and has also produced songs for some of Britain’s most exciting new bands like YAK, Crows, Babeheaven and more.
“Around the end of 2017 I'd written a load of demoes and no idea what the fuck I wanted to do,” Henry says about their origins. The pair started running in the same circles in London towards the end of 2017, and when Henry took them to Felix in a casual capacity, the two hit it off creatively immediately. They bonded over bands like Love, The Beatles, Kinks as well as current bands like Metronomy, Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Caribou and this lead to the conception of Hi Frisco.
They’re currently in the process of mastering their upcoming live performance, for which they hope to employ a wider line-up and ensure the live versions are as expansive and impressive as their studio counterparts. Work on a debut album, poised for 2020, is now underway, with more experimentation and sharp songwriting taking place in their hallowed studio space.
Catch ‘Hi Frisco’s live debut at the Sebright Arms on March 3rd. Tickets on sale HERE
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