A project that began life as an assortment of creative assignments (writing for Birds Of Tokyo, Middle Kids; collaborating with Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, The Struts; running a record label; tour promotion) between friends, Sydney indie seven-piece FVNERAL have announced themselves with their gloriously lush debut single 'God Damn LEDS'.
With the duelling vocals of Tim Blunt and Ally Turner harmonising beautifully, a rhythm section holding together the melancholic tones, guitar instrumentation that showcases a spirited personality, and lyrics that paint a heartwarming message 'God Damn LEDS' is an instant anthem for anyone wanting to heart their significant other."'God Damn LEDs' is speaking directly to someone who makes you feel seen, heard and important enough to stay alive," the band says.
"It describes the moment when you finally begin to lower your guard; letting this person take the emotional driver's seat when you feel like it's not safe for you to drive.
"It's as desperate making as it is cathartic to realise that someone else has taken the responsibility for your own well-being onto their shoulders.
"While it is an incredibly unfair and ultimately unsustainable expectation to put on someone, there is still something beautiful about feeling safe enough to let it happen, even if only for a fleeting moment."
Who is FVNERAL... A collective of seven friends who became each other's chosen family in some truly dark days. The group really started as a bunch of individual friendships, going all the way back when Tim and Ally met in high school.
Over the last few years, all those friendships have amalgamated into this shared space built on creating these songs and videos together. The process was really one of inviting friends to collaborate, adding members one by one, until the collective as it is now eventually came to be.
We're all about finding the beauty in life's nuances and complexities, and focusing on the joys in overcoming the battles.
Without knowing it, the seven of us have spent so much time getting ready for this project to exist in the world: songwriting and producing for artists like Birds Of Tokyo, Stand Atlantic and Middle Kids, running a record label, tour managing multi-month international tours, and collaborating on creative projects with international artists such as Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, The Struts, Neck Deep.
Bringing FVNERAL into the world has been a process of drawing on each of those experiences and creating something that we feel really reflects everything that's brought us to this point.
We sound like... According to someone on the FBi Radio text-line we sound like 'if Taylor Swift joined Arcade Fire', and honestly, we're pretty happy with that description.
Our first gig was... Hasn't happened yet given this project is fresh outta the womb.
When did you settle on the group's name, and was it a unanimous decision... FVNERAL was the working name of the project for a while, as we slowly realised that most of the songs make some reference to death after a period where it seemed to be ever-present in a few of our lives.
We really wanted to be flipping dark moments and ideas upside down, and started to feel like keeping it was a way to try and demystify all of that. Also, in complete truth the first thought of it did come from that first Arcade Fire album, which is obviously one of the most perfect debut albums.
In the studio we usually... Cry, pontificate, occasionally write and record some music.
If we could tour with anyone... I think it'd be Arcade Fire. Maybe we could just end up joining them and amalgamating the two projects.
Social media is... Probably frying our brains and making us all sad, but we'll stay for the memes and dog content.
My favourite app at the moment is... Grindr, for obvious reasons.
To date, our most embarrassing moment was the time... Tim's most recent embarrassing moment was when he went to withdraw $300 cash and forgot his PIN and the machine ate his card. It was probably a sign.
Life on the road can be... Hard to say since we haven't done it yet.
If you'll have us on your bill, all we ask is that our rider contains... $300 in cash, as above.
The most scary scenario we've found ourselves in, was... Tim having his identity legit stolen, TWICE!
What celebrity/ famous person would you love to be spokesperson of the band... King Curtis from 'Wife Swap' 'cause bacon is good for me.
If you had to live in a city abroad, where would you choose and why? Maybe on some kind of fjord in Iceland with three sheep and seven labradors. I think it'd be peaceful.
Three people you'd like to invite around for a dinner party... Gwenyth Paltrow – just to ask her why re: Goop and the jade eggs; Carly Rae Jepsen – for obvious reasons; Stevie Nicks – to do my best Lindsey Buckingham impersonation and see what happens.
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook us? Tim's infamous weed brownies.
When it comes to pets are you a lover or hater of our furry friends? There are haters???
No matter the expense, send me a case of... Natural wine pls :)
The last time I saw the inside of a gym was... Who is she?
What's the one chore you dislike the most? Getting out of bed.
Do you have any phobias... Fear of achieving nothing before inevitably dying alone.
Would you ever partake in a reality show? If we could amalgamate Tim's fascination with baking with Jay actually being British, then it would be Great British Bake Off.
If you could prank any of your friends, who's your target, and how are you bringing them down? Jay would prank his Dad by rounding up all the children he had out of wedlock, figuring out how much he owes everyone in child support payments and sending the bill to him.
Best local takeaway joint for a midnight feed that will leave you with a food coma? Manoosh.
Which fictional character best describes your personality? Tim says: "Satan, of the Bible, because I'm the King of Darkness."
Last show you binge-watched? 'Succession'. I think watching someone else's dysfunctional family really made me momentarily escape my own.
