Welcome Eilis Frawley and congratulations on your debut solo album Fall Forward which is set for release on 7 March via Sinnbus Records! and distributed by Rough Trade. Please can you share the inspirations behind the songs on the album.
The album feels like an ongoing list of my unconscious thoughts; trying to understand the world around me. It touches on some bigger political issues, but from my personal view, from what I understand/ or can’t understand. I wrote a lot of the lyrics during the pandemic, so there’s a lot of topics around mental health, social structures and reflecting on what’s important for a healthy life.
You have released two EPs previous to this: Never Too Emotional and Adult Life (Reckless Yes records, 2020). How different was the creation process when it came to producing Fall Forward?
Fall Forward feels like a bigger sibling to the EPs. The process took much longer, revisiting themes, changing structures, and adding more ‘traditional’ instrumentation. The EPs I created solely on my own, but for my first full length album I knew I wanted to work with a producer. I ended up working with (the insanely talented) Kat Frankie, it was the absolute best experience to have someone by my side throughout the album writing and recording process. The final recordings also have 5 session musicians, on bass guitar, harp, trumpet, and backing vocals.
I was particularly intrigued by ‘Gamers‘ with its opening blinking bleeps and then bubbling water before the electronics kick in again. It has such a retro feel to some of the soundscape. Could you share a little on this track and how it came to be?
I wanted to write something that feels like my version of a gameboy soundtrack. I wrote it with different scenes in mind. For me it crosses many terrains; underwater, mountains, forest, jungle and the desert, it’s a real adventure. It’s the most experimental and playful track on the album and I’m very glad it’s there.
You are heading out on an extensive tour in Europe and UK with a full band beginning in Germany mid-March. Is this the biggest solo tour you have done to date? How are you feeling?
Most certainly! I started the project a year before the pandemic, and whilst I played 10 dates solo across the UK, I’ve never toured this project in mainland Europe, or with a live band. I’m excited about the live set, I think we’ve created a really nice version of the album. I’m so lucky to have two absolute gems joining me: Sally on bass and vocals, and Jean-Louise on Keys, viola and vocals.
Despite it feeling like a particularly hard time to tour, (it’s a huge investment financially and emotionally and Brexit has made it even harder), I’m still very excited to set this thing free! I’m looking forward to this album existing in the live music world. We’re heading to so many nice places and I’m excited to return to places I’ve played before and to visit new cities and venues!
You’re originally from Australia but now live in Berlin. It was fascinating to learn you are drummer and singer for local Berlin bands Kara Delik and Restless and have worked as a freelance drummer with Laura Lee and The Jettes and Anika. I wonder how easy it was for you initially to get involved in the music scene in Berlin?
I’ve been in Berlin for 9 years, so maybe I remember the beginning with slightly rose-tinted glasses, but I was just so excited to be here. I went to 3-4 gigs every week, I was younger, braver to go out alone, and lived basically on oats and falafel. I met a lot of people in those first two years. I guess my early years here were pretty formative in where I am now and my network, even though it felt pretty insignificant at the time, I was just having a (mostly) good time, and soaking up a ridiculous amount of live music.
Please can you share a little about Bang On, a Berlin-based band platform you founded in 2016 for emerging artists, with a strong emphasis on the LGBTQI+ community and its artists.
Bang On was a big part of my start in Berlin. A platform that’s had many changes. Originally it was a monthly series in a DIY venue that brought together three artists each month. We then started a festival, and so far there have been 4 editions across 4 different venues. We still have such a long way to go in proper representation and diversity in the music industry and Bang On is a small chance to offer a safe space and build a community; in particular for our LGBTQI+ community.
If I looked in your fridge right now what would I find?
I made Feijoada (a Brazilian black bean dish) on the weekend and there’s still some leftovers. I recently got gifted an instant pot, and it’s hands-down the greatest kitchen appliance I’ve ever had. It makes perfect beans, a banging risotto, and unbeatable soups. I’m totally in love. 10/10 recommend anyone reading to go get an instant pot, it’ll change your life!
For more information on Eilis Frawley please check her instagram.
Eilis Frawley Live Dates
March
19 Soft Spot, Nurnberg
20 Slow Club, Freiburg
21 Struttgart, Merlin
22 Radio Rasa, Schaffhausen
24 Bar Regula, Bern
25 Privat, Basel
27 Giessen
28 Schokoladen, Berlin
29 Noch Besser Leben, Leipzig
May
26 Le Chaff, Brussels
27 Amein
29 Oxford, Divine Schism
30 The Tin, Coventry
31 Hatch, Sheffield
June
1 Shackwell arms, London
5 Goldkante, Bochum
6 Hafen 2, Offenbach
7 Berlin