ARTISTS

Jack Savidge (Friendly Fires)

London (UK)
dj

[Wikipedia] Friendly Fires met at St Albans School. At age 13, in Year 8/9 (the second or third year), the members formed their first band, a post-hardcore outfit called First Day Back, which existed until they began university. During this time lead singer Ed Macfarlane released his own music through the electronica label Skam, and Precinct Recordings. Upon leaving university they formed a new band inspired by dance music, "lush shoegaze melodies", and classic pop songwriting. The name Friendly Fires originates from the opening track of the Section 25 LP Always Now.

In late 2007, they became the first unsigned band to appear on Channel 4's Transmission programme. Their single "Paris" achieved "Single of The Week" in The Guardian newspaper, NME magazine, and also on Zane Lowe's BBC Radio 1 show. They have toured extensively, with past performances and festival appearances throughout the UK, Europe, Japan, the U.S., Canada, Mexico, South America and Australia.

In May 2008, their song "On Board" was featured in North American television commercials for Nintendo's Wii Fit. "On Board" is also featured in the trailer for the PlayStation 3 game Gran Turismo 5. In September 2008, they released their first LP: Friendly Fires. The album was certified double gold in the UK; the band was nominated for a Best Breakthrough Award at The South Bank Show Awards and for Best Dancefloor Filler at the NME Awards. On 19 January 2010, the band was nominated for two Brit Awards: Best British Group and British Breakthrough Act.

On 8 March 2010, Friendly Fires released a split 12" single with their New York City friends Holy Ghost!. Friendly Fires have contributed the soundtrack to the advertisement for 'Guilty', a fragrance by Gucci. Later Friendly Fires released through Rough Trade Records a special compilation with London club promoters Bugged Out! called Bugged Out Presents Suck My Deck.

In May 2011, their second album Pala was released. At the end of 2011, Friendly Fires played their biggest UK tour to date. Friendly Fires headlined the inaugural ABLE2UK charity concert for disabled awareness on 20 August 2012 at The Roundhouse in London.

When asked in July 2012 by NME about their future direction, Macfarlane stated that the trio have no intentions of writing another pop record like Pala. They have been working with producer Andrew Weatherall and so far, they have come up with some dramatically different results to the band's usual output.

Jack Savidge has been remixing lately and touring as a dj. The Soundcloud and Twitter mentioned are his personal ones, the rest is from the band. This is an interview of him on Poule d'Or or one on there goes the fear.