BROKEN FIRES – South Wales Trio Announce “New Friends” EP – out 2 July

A song about putting yourself out of your comfort zone and the challenges that come with trying to find a new life and purpose, “New Friends” was initially written after Tom from Broken Fires first made the move from Wales to London.

“Thinking back to that time when I moved to this crazy city. I met some people who talked a lot of s**t and it took me a while to figure that out, and to figure out where I fit into things.” says Tom.

Vividly recalling the people, place and feelings of that time; the track has become synonymous in Tom’s mind with a cartoon by celebrated Glaswegian cartoonist David Shrigley that graced the wall of his then apartment.

Written and recorded by Broken Fires at sessions that culminated at Mwnci Studios, “New Friends” was produced by Broken Fires’ own Justin Hendy (guitarist), with additional mixing by Matt Lederman (!!!, Rural Alberta Advantage) and mastering by Ryan Morey (Arcade Fire / Suuns). Giving the track a true DIY finish, the vocals were originally laid down in the front room of Justin’s flat in Swansea.

Formed in Swansea, South Wales in 2014, Broken Fires have earned a reputation for massive alternative indie songs about love, life and death. Self-releasing their debut album ‘Silhouettes’ back in 2015 to a warm reception, the band earned plays on BBC Radio 1, extensive support from BBC Introducing and US public radio; Whereas singles including ‘Elephants’, ‘Flesh and Blood’ and ‘Brand New Start’ gained them global recognition from placements in TV Shows across MTV, the BBC and beyond.

After a five year gap, Broken Fires utilised the lockdown of 2020 to their advantage and initiated work on new music. The result comes in the form of ‘New Friends’, a four-track EP release jam-packed with the best of the band’s beloved alternative signatures, while also venturing into new depths sonically. The results make for that of a band with a refreshed outlook on life and an updated sound ready to hit the ground running as the world unlocks this Summer.

Comprising new tracks “New Friends”, “The Writer”, “Boundaries”, plus the previous Steve Lamacq / BBC6 Music championed single “Dreamer”; the EP as a whole was recorded over a few months at an array of venues and studios, with various collaborators from across the music scene also pitching-in. EP highlight “The Writer” was a track the group had wanted to finish for a long while. Surrounding the liberation and despair that comes with being on your own; the track has found a new meaning and profound resonance given the events of the last year. The finishing touches were perfected in a flat in London during lockdown, including a splash sound created by hitting a large broken ride cymbal with a whisk. Elsewhere, and in stark contrast to the former’s claustrophobic intimacy, EP closer “Boundaries” offers a more genteel and expansive offering. With the lead vocals and violins added at an old chapel in Monmouth; Welsh folk talent Angharad Jenkins recorded its moving string sections while the band entertained her daughter next to her feet, being careful not to make a squeak.

“We think the EP shows our full range as a band. Full of dreamy folk, epic endings with layered strings and harmonies and probably one of the most stripped back tracks we’ve ever written”

Allowing their indie foundations to morph into new genres and elements, the varied recording process also seeps its way into every aspect of the EP and puts the group’s dynamism on full display. From three-minute pop earworms as-heard on the title track “New Friends” or the effervescent alt/rock of previous single: “Dreamer”, to the emotional folk-tinged balladry of “The Writer” or the stirring closer “Boundaries”; it’s a release that shows the full range of Broken Fires’ talent in shining example.

With plans for their sophomore release ‘HYMNS’, later this Autumn, the ‘New Friends’ EP provides a more than worthy stop-gap while we wait for their long awaited follow-up to ‘Silhouettes’; while offering a tantalising taster of what’s to come…