Frightened Rabbit return to London on the 6th November to premiere new material in their first ever show as a five piece, joined by new recruit Gordon Skene, formerly of Make Model. Tickets are available to buy from Monday 2nd at www.wegottickets.com or www.kililive.com or www.seetickets.com
Returning from headline dates in the US with labelmates The Twilight Sad and We Were Promised Jetpacks, Frightened Rabbit have been a hive (warren?) of activity even ahead of their UK tour. In a whirlwind week last week, the band stole the show at the inaugural Scottish Royal Variety Show and put in a special date at In The City headling Drowned In Sound's 9th birthday party. Back in London they supported Biffy Clyro at Q Magazine's Awards Show at The Forum, and there were scenes of pandemonium back in Edinburgh at the HMV Picturehouse where the band played a benefit for the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival.
A stirring new single 'Swim Until You Can't See Land' is released through FatCat on 16th November, a primer for the band's forthcoming abum, due Spring 2010, Boasting a stunning string arrangment from labelmate, Teutonic ivory-botherer, Hauschka, 'Swim Until You Can't See Land' takes up where we left off, a hugely anthemic song that is perfect as a first indiacator of the new album's direction, it's very upbeatness perhaps to be read as a subconscious riposte to the angst of the preceeding, 'Midnight Organ Fight' album. Scott expands, 'Swim Until You Can't See Land' was the title I had in my mind before I even started writing the album; I was becoming more and more interested in the idea of a rejection of the habits and behaviour most people see as normal, and in turn embracing a certain madness. It's about losing your mind in order to reset the mind and the body. Forget what's gone before and wash it out. This is not necessarily a geographical journey, as the 'swim' can involve any activity in which you can lose yourself. It's a good introduction to the record as the theme unravels therein."
NOVEMBER DATES:
Sat 7 Aldershot West End Centre
Mon 9 Oxford Academy 2
Tue10 York Duchess of York
Wed 11 Nottingham Bodega
Thu 12 Liverpool Academy 2
Sat 14 Coventry Kasbah
Sun 15 Northampton Roadmenders
Mon 16 Brighton Corn Exchange
Tue 17 Southampton University
Thu 19 Exeter Lemon Grove
Fri 20 London Troxy
Sat 21 Tunbridge Wells Forum
Sun 22 Cambridge Soul Tree
Tue 24 Sheffield Plug
Wed 25 Whitehaven Civic Hall
Fri 27 Fort William BA Club
Sat 28 Stirling Tolbooth
Sun 29 Inverness Ironworks
DECEMBER
Tue 1 Aberdeen Moshulu
Wed 2 Dundee Fat Sams
Sat 5 Galway Black Box
Mon 7 Dublin Academy^
Tue 8 Dublin Academy^
Wed 9 Belfast Mandella Hall^
Sun 13 Manchester Ritz^
Mon 14 London Shep Bush Empire^
Tue 22 Glasgow ABC
^ with Modest Mouse
The band premiered three new songs - including 'Swim Until You Can See Land' – in August at the Edinburgh Festival, The Fly reporting a performance "life-affirming, the crowd's reaction almost frightening. Seldom do bands inspire such a fanatical and justified response to their music. Unquestionably, Frightened Rabbit tonight is the best show of The Edge Festival so far." The Herald, simulary moved; "Judging by the ovation that greeted Frightened Rabbit as they ambled on stage, this Glasgow based band have truly arrived."
Over the last two years Frightenened Rabbit have become one of Britain's most fiercely taken-to-heart new bands, publically feted by fellow musicians like Craig Finn (The Hold Steady), Nick Harmer (Death Cab For Cutie) and Simon Neil (Biffy Clyro), and no wonder – 'Midnight Organ Fight' was a visceral - bordering on the metaphysical - break up record, and loaded with memorable, heartbreaking songs.
Frightened Rabbit: Scott Hutchison (vocals, guitar), Billy Kennedy (guitar, keys), Grant Hutchison (Drums, vocals), Andy Monaghan (bass, keyboard, guitar), Gordon Skene (guitar, keys).