Out to support second LP Pala, St Albans group Friendly Fires have released this new video performance of first single “Blue Cassette”.

As well as being a great performance of the song, something I really like about this video is the slightly stunned look on lead singer Ed Macfarlane’s face, like he’s just been thrust into this strangely lit room with all the crazy disco lighting and told to sing a song or face the consequences. The moment  where the focus is lost just adds to the sense that he’s a bit punch-drunk, even. Quality stuff.

Click through for US and UK tour dates…

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Pala is the second studio album from St Albans natives Friendly Fires and is to be released in the UK on the 16th May and 24th May in the US. According to lead singer Ed Macfarlane, Pala is heavily influenced by 1980s and 1990s chart music like ‘N Sync, Missy Elliott and Bobby Brown (8ball, 2011). He’s happy to alienate himself from the rest of the indie genre; a bold move from these lads considering most indie bands would never associate their music to “mainstream” and chart-topping artists.
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A little bit of an evolution here for Friendly Fires from their debut album, which was recorded in their garage in St. Albans. The single, ‘Live those days tonight,’ is slicker and has a very early 2000s, British, dance single quality to it. Sung in a falsetto, I can imagine this coming from Daniel Bedingfield. It also has notes of Duran Duran’s 2004 single ‘Reach up for the sunrise.’ All in all, a good song but falls victim to what many second albums from successful musicians do, becoming too sleek.

Day three began with a special brunch at Fader Fort to raise awareness for the the Children’s Cancer Foundation’s MyMusicRX.org initiation. Was great to take a breath from the oppressive, mighty, corporate overlords that rule SXSW and think outside of where our next open bar was coming from for a second…Not that we weren’t totally surrounded by Converse branding of course. At the brunch, we were treated to two special intimate performances, the first from Malaysian singer-songwriter Yuna. Yuna is a new signing to the Fader label, a jazzy, solo artist, think a more soulful Regina Spektor. She was good and I’d be interested to hear her in a bigger setting.

Then as a surprise, Twin Shadow took the the mic for a handful of stripped down songs, which was just outstanding. His music stands up against anything. If you aren’t paying attention, start.
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Enjoy the brand new Q&A session (from Wireless Festival 2010) below.

MP3: Friendly Fires – Jump In The Pool

Enjoy the entirety of last week’s extensive Q&A session in the feature below.

MP3: Friendly Fires – Jump In The Pool

We Have Band – Oh! (Friendly Fires Mix)

Last month, Friendly Fires dropped by Jimmy Kimmel.

Watch We Have Band’s official clip for ‘You Came Out’ here.

MP3: We Have Band – Oh! (Friendly Fires Mix)

Enjoy last night’s stellar performance of ‘Jump In The Pool’ in the clip below.

Watch their fabulous rendition of ‘Kiss Of Life’ AFTER THE JUMP…

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Find out exactly which records they chose by watching the feature below.

MP3: Friendly Fires – Photobooth

Enjoy the Lollapalooza Q&A below. Catch FF on their autumn NA trek.

MP3: Friendly Fires – Jump In The Pool