It’s been 4 years since Fish On Friday launched the acclaimed Black Rain; and after a difficult duration in his non-public existence, mainmain Frank Van Bogaert has returned with the heartfelt and atmospheric 8mm. He and bassist Nick Beggs talk about the sudden inspiration in the back of what they describe as a milestone report.
Six albums into their occupation, multinational prog band Fish On Friday would possibly neatly have simply served up their greatest effort up to now. 8mm is a wonderfully crafted set, its expansive soundscapes shot thru with beguiling hooks and glowing melodies.
Talking from their respective houses in Belgium and England, Frank Van Bogaert (vocals, keys and guitars) and Nick Beggs (bass, Chapman Stick, vocals) are obviously occupied with the band’s newest undertaking.
“It used to be a excitement to make,” enthuses Beggs. “It’s very onerous to get song over at the moment, as a result of everyone’s making song. The media is saturated with new artists. However Fish On Friday have a core fanbase, which appears to be rising, and I believe this album will actually lend a hand.”
Ahead of Beggs’ paintings in Steven Wilson’s band, Iona and Mute Gods, his large musical wreck got here within the 80s. “I began enjoying for a laugh when I used to be 10 in a band in school,” he remembers. “It wasn’t till I met the blokes that have been in Artwork Nouveau, which went directly to be Kajagoogoo, that the 4 folks determined to be skilled musicians.”
It used to be their greatest hit that ended in Van Bogaert contacting Beggs a number of a long time later – signalling the beginning in their ingenious, and really productive, courting. “We completed the primary FoF album, Shoot The Moon [2010] and after that it advanced from a studio undertaking to extra of a band,” the guitarist explains. “I contacted Nick as a result of we would have liked a bass line that used to be paying homage to Kajagoogoo’s Too Shy.”
Van Bogaert’s roots are in prog and he’s been concerned within the Belgian song scene since he used to be an adolescent. He used to be simply 18 when he based the cult band, 1000 Ohm. “I grew up being attentive to Sure and Genesis,” he says, “then the brand new wave got here alongside. Through that point, we weren’t technically professional sufficient to play prog: we needed to evolve. So we began with easy new wave.”
With 1000 Ohm, he discovered himself spending increasingly more time on the blending table. It felt like a herbal step, and having a point in electronics didn’t harm. “The band break up in ’87,” he continues. “I quickly realised that to earn cash what you do is sit down in the back of a table and now not at the different facet.”
Van Bogaert’s ACE Studio – the place a part of 8mm used to be recorded – quickly was some of the busiest within the nation; however the urge to create his personal song by no means pale. Fish On Friday emerged after seven solo albums, temporarily received a name for elegantly crafted prog, with the aid of Californian guitarist Marty Townsend and Belgium-based drummer Marcus Weymaere.
Frank will put an association in combination and question me my opinion. I’ll in most cases throw a spanner within the works!
Nick Beggs
An excessive amount of FoF’s enchantment stems from the standard in their songwriting. For Van Bogaert, development from company foundations is the important thing. “Lets simply play the songs acoustically, with piano and upright bass, and the music would nonetheless be there,” he says. “The speculation is all the time that the music in its elementary shape needs to be sturdy. Then you’ll be able to make it sound large or small – no matter you’re feeling it wishes.”
Beggs outlines the method: “Frank’s the manager songwriter. He’ll put a thumbnail of an association in combination, fill it out with portions from Marty or Marcus, and question me my opinion. I’ll in most cases throw a spanner within the works! He’ll very graciously say, ‘OK, I’ll take that below advisement,’ and remodel it.”
Taking note of the flowing strains on 8mm, it’s now not unexpected to be told that Van Bogaert begins compositions on grand piano. “It’s the type of feeling,” he explains. “I will really feel it prematurely: that is going to be an artistic day. I’ve to have some roughly thought about what I’m going to jot down. If I don’t, not anything will occur.”
One of the crucial report’s maximum putting tracks, Collateral Harm, used to be impressed through the tragic and sudden dying of the his more youthful brother. “He died right through the Covid lockdown,” says Van Bogaert. “If it hadn’t been lockdown, he would have long past to the medical institution and would nonetheless be alive.”
I discovered numerous outdated circle of relatives films. I began staring at – the outlet piece used to be written in part an hour
Frank Van Bogaert
Inspiration struck whilst clearing out his brother’s condominium. “I discovered numerous 8mm tape reels of outdated circle of relatives films. I began staring at – and I believe the outlet piece used to be written in not up to part an hour. I’ve all the time attempted to jot down about issues that actually occur round me. As a rule it’s emotional issues.”
The putting Don’t Lose Your Spirit, says Van Bogaert, “is ready all of the wars occurring presently,” including: “however I all the time have a tendency to jot down lyrics which can be open for interpretation, as a result of I don’t like them to be immediately for your face – that’s now not my taste.”
A contributing issue is the presence of singer Lula Beggs, who additionally featured on each Black Rain (2020) and Quiet Existence (2017). “Frank requested me if I knew any excellent backing vocalists,” recounts Nick Beggs. “I mentioned, ‘Neatly, there’s my daughter. She’s were given an excellent soulful voice and I believe she’ll are compatible in.’” Lula’s affecting vocals strengthen the ambience on a number of tracks. Total, the combination of sunshine and shadow is putting and, for FoF, there’s a way that they’ve captured one thing particular.
Beggs Snr remembers: “I mentioned to Frank, ‘, that is the most efficient subject matter you’ve written. Those songs are actually sturdy. That is actually going to make a distinction.’”
I liked Sabbath; I assumed punk used to be fantastic… it used to be all informing my ear. The entirety you pay attention to is a power
Nick Beggs
Van Bogaert, too, perspectives the report as a milestone. “I will really feel it presently,” he says. “I see reactions – everyone loves the album. I think the fanbase is actually rising. Once we began making it, I used to be slightly bit afraid that we wouldn’t make an album that used to be on a par with Black Rain. That’s why it took just a little longer, and that’s why I relied on Nick in his judgement. That’s why he’s been topped co-producer!”
Beggs’ eclectic influences without a doubt give a contribution to FoF’s singular sound. “My first hero used to be Olivia Newton-John,” he says. “I used to be completely in love together with her. And Chicory Tip. Tubular Bells blew my thoughts; while you select up that thread and apply it you get to prog and heavy steel. I liked Sabbath, I assumed punk used to be fantastic: The Intercourse Pistols, The Stranglers, The Slits – it used to be all informing my ear. The entirety you pay attention to is a power, both consciously or subconsciously.”
On the point out of Tubular Bells, Van Bogaert nods enthusiastically, including: “There’s the Alan Parsons Mission, which I’ve all the time admired – now not most effective on account of the writing of the songs, however the technical manufacturing. I’ll by no means disregard the primary time I heard their debut album, Stories Of Thriller And Creativeness. That report opened issues for me that I hadn’t heard ahead of – the combination of giant preparations with pop and a valid that’s a wall.”
Listeners appreciative of that aggregate will to find a lot to experience on 8mm, with its expansive and but intimate soundscape. The song is crystal transparent however by no means chilly – and there’s just a little of magic at play, too.
“We’ve were given a secret software,” Van Bogaert says. “I combine the whole lot on an analogue table with all analogue equipment. There are numerous individuals who say, ‘Yeah, however I will do the whole lot in a field on my pc.’ It’s now not the similar. Going again to Alan Parsons, he nonetheless works this fashion additionally. I’m satisfied it makes a distinction.”
