Fenech-Soler were an English electropop band from King's Cliffe, Northamptonshire, England, that formed in 2006 and consists of two members: Ross Duffy and Ben Duffy. Founding members Daniel Fenech-Soler and Andrew Lindsay left the band in 2016.[1] The name Fenech-Soler is taken from Daniel Soler's full surname, which is Maltese.[2][3] The band's sound has been compared to Friendly Fires and Delphic for their "hybrid of summery indie and big dance-inflected melodies".[4] Fenech-Soler are signed to So Recordings.[5]
Fenech-Soler | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | King's Cliffe, Northamptonshire, England |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2006–2017 |
| Labels | |
| Members |
|
| Past members |
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| Website | www |
Career
editFenech-Soler's self-titled debut studio album was released in 2010 and included three singles. The single "Stop and Stare" was named by BBC Radio 1 DJ Greg James as 'Record of the Week' and 'Weekend Anthem' and Dutch public broadcaster NOS used "Demons" as an anthem for their 2010–11 UEFA Champions League broadcasts.[6] Both "Lies" and "Demons" were playlisted by Radio 1. The band recorded a Radio 1 Live Lounge session for Jo Whiley in February 2011.[7]
On 13 March 2011, it was announced that Ben Duffy had been diagnosed with testicular cancer and would have to undergo a course of chemotherapy. This caused the cancellation of the nine-date UK tour.[8] The cancer was diagnosed in its early stages[9] and two months later it was announced that the treatment was '100% successful' and Duffy was 'now in complete remission'. The band returned to a busy summer schedule of 23 festivals including Glastonbury and V Festival.[10] Fenech-Soler donated all proceeds from their 18 April 2011 single "Stop and Stare" to the Teenage Cancer Trust.[8] That same year, the band was a supporting act for the White Lies, Kelis,[11] Robyn[12] and Example.[13]
The band released their second album, Rituals, on 30 September 2013. The release of the album was announced following the announcement of a UK tour,[14] which coincided with the release of the single "Magnetic" in March. The album's second single, "Last Forever", was released early in September prior to the album.[citation needed]
In 2014, Fenech-Soler performed at a medal awards ceremony at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.[15] In addition to their own work, they are also known for their remix work, including a remix of "Self Control" by Sunday Girl, "Kickstarts" by Example,"MY KZ, YR BF" by Everything Everything and "Hollywood" by Marina and the Diamonds.[16]
Fenech-Soler co-wrote and featured on the Groove Armada track "Paper Romance", taken from their album Black Light (2010). Fenech-Soler have appeared on Channel 4's EVO Rooms, NME Takeover[2] and BBC Switch.[17]
Awards and nominations
editDiscography
editStudio albums
edit| Year | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| UK | ||
| 2010 | Fenech-Soler | 85 [20] |
| 2013 | Rituals
|
120 [21] |
| 2017 | Zilla
|
- |
Extended plays
edit| Year | EP details |
|---|---|
| 2009 | The Cult of Romance |
| 2011 | White Versions
|
| 2013 | iTunes Festival: London 2013
|
| 2014 | Stop and Stare EP
|
| 2014 | Remix EP
|
| 2014 | Glow EP
|
| 2016 | Kaleidoscope EP
|
| 2017 | Covers EP
|
Singles
editAs lead artist
edit| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | |||
| 2009 | "Lies" | — | Non-album singles[a] |
| 2010 | "Stop and Stare" | 106 [22] | |
| "Lies" | 126 [23] |
Fenech-Soler | |
| 2011 | "Demons" | 162 [24] | |
| "Stop and Stare" | — | ||
| 2012 | "All I Know" | — | Rituals |
| 2013 | "Magnetic" | — | |
| "Last Forever" | — |
As featuring artist
edit| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | |||
| 2010 | "Paper Romance" (Groove Armada featuring Fenech-Soler and SaintSaviour) |
196 [25] |
Black Light |
Promotional singles
edit| Year | Title | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | "Maiyu" | Rituals |
| "In Our Blood" |
Notes
edit- ^ Original independently-released Moda Music releases. Both tracks feature on self-titled album and were later re-released with new remixes.
References
edit- ^ "Hey guys, thanks so much for your support and patience". Facebook.com. 9 September 2016.
- ^ a b "Planet Notion » BOTW: Fenech-Soler – Interview". Planetnotion.com.
- ^ "Manchesteracademy.net: Fenech Soler". Archived from the original on 16 April 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
- ^ Cragg, Michael (10 May 2013). "Fenech-Soler - Magnetic: New Music". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
- ^ "Electric atmosphere at Fenech-Soler's Peterborough show". Peterboroughtoday.co.uk.
- ^ "Fenech-Soler - New Songs, Playlists & Latest News - BBC Music". BBC.
- ^ Fenech Soler (18 February 2011). "Fenech-Soler - Do It Like A Dude (Radio 1 Live Lounge Cover)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
- ^ a b "Fenech-Soler singer Ben Duffy says he's battling cancer - BBC Newsbeat". BBC News. 14 March 2011.
- ^ "Fenech-Soler cancel UK tour as singer is diagnosed with cancer". Nme.com. 14 March 2011.
- ^ "Fenech-Soler talk about a busy summer of festivals, battling cancer and album number two". Northamptonchron.co.uk. Archived from the original on 25 September 2011. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
- ^ "Fenech-Soler website: Fenech-Soler support White Lies and Kelis". Fenechsoler.co.uk. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
- ^ "Fenech-Soler website: Bristol and Manchester Robyn shows announced". Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
- ^ "Example confirms Fenech-Soler as UK tour support". Digitalspy.co.uk. 5 August 2011.
- ^ "Stereoboard.com: Fenech Soler confirm November UK tour dates". StereoBoard.com. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
- ^ "Fenech-Soler on Making Music, Touring and Their New 'Kaleidoscope' EP". Provenancemag.com. Archived from the original on 27 October 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
- ^ "Fenech-Soler". Kdnd.tunegenie.com.
- ^ "BBC - Switch Videos - The 5:19 Show - Fenech-Soler". BBC.co.uk.
- ^ "Fenech Soler". Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
- ^ "Fenech-Soler". Independentmusicawards.com. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
- ^ "CHART: CLUK Update 9.10.2010 (wk39)". Zobbel.de.
- ^ "CHART: CLUK Update 12.10.2013 (wk40)". Zobbel.de.
- ^ "CHART: CLUK Update 1.05.2010 (wk16)". Zobbel.de.
- ^ "CHART: CLUK Update 2.10.2010 (wk38)". Zobbel.de.
- ^ "CHART: CLUK Update 19.02.2011 (wk6)". Zobbel.de.
- ^ "CHART: CLUK Update 13.03.2010 (wk9)". Zobbel.de.