New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Bristol-based Welsh/ Norwegian duo, Firewoodisland released their new double single 'Ataraxic' / Drop Everything' on 28 February. Premiered via Wonderland. Magazine, the single surface ahead of the release of their much anticipated self-titled second album that will see the light on 20 March, 2020, via Firewoodisland Records. The tracks were written, produced and mixed by Stian himself, while the mastering was handled by Chris Sampson (Highasakite,
Thomas Dybdahl). Firewoodisland's first single of 2020, 'Sprinter', has secured them A-Listing on BBC
Radio Wales. The duo released a handful of critically acclaimed singles in 2019 which have gained support from the likes of Atwood Magazine, PopMatters,
Clash Magazine and BBC 6 music's Tom Robinson. One of the singles 'Storm' has rocketed on Spotify with over 1 million streams since March 2019.
Over the years, Firewoodisland have seen further support from the likes of Earmilk, Q Magazine, and The 405, as well as radio support from BBC
Radio 6's Radcliffe & Maconie, BBC Radio's Introducing In The West, BBC
Radio Devon, Introducing
Music From Stoke, Amazing
Radio and Norway's NRK P3. Their music has graced Spotify's Most Beautiful Songs in the World,
Fresh Folk, Lush and Atmospheric and Lost in the Woods playlists, while 'One With The Mountain' was added to Norway's New
Music Fridays playlist, seeing their total plays surge to over 6 million. The duo have caught the attention of popular Youtube channels such as alexrainbirdMusic, BalconyTV, Indie Folk Central, IndieVibes, La Belle Musique and Wave of Good Noise, and they've also seen love from the world of TV, with music featured on shows such as Netflix's Shadowhunters and Global TV's NURSES to name a few.
Firewoodisland kicked off 2020 with a performance at the 100 Dager industry showcase in Norway on January 25th. They have already played a dozen Sofar
Sounds Sessions and performed at festivals like Between The Trees, Farmfest, Klubb Dagen at Øya Festival, Oxjam Cardiff Takeover, Vikedal
Roots Music Festival, BBC's Introducing stage at Latitude Festival and headlined Richer Unsigned's lunchtime showcase to an exclusive audience of music industry professionals.
What started as a solo project is now the joint creative project of artists, multi-instrumentalists and songwriters Stian Vedøy and Abi Eleri. In 2011, Stian moved from Norway to Cardiff, UK, where he established Firewoodisland while studying for a masters in music production. The name Firewoodisland is a direct translation of 'Vedøy', Stian's surname. Stian met Abi shortly after moving to Cardiff, where Abi was studying illustration, and the two soon paired up to form the band, with Abi taking over artwork duties, playing a few opening slots and open mic nights around Cardiff. The duo went on to become finalists in Norway's Bandwagon
Battle of the Bands which allowed them to release their debut EP, ILD, in 2014. This was followed by several singles, 2016's Dome EP and their debut album
Chaos Is The
State Of The
Heart in 2018.
Inspired by the likes of Bon Iver, Of Monsters and Men, and Oh Wonder, Firewoodisland combine the catchiness of pop with the sensibilities of folk and indie music. The duo's distinctive sound, christened 'Mountain Pop', is a perfect blend of organic and digital elements. 2019 saw the duo add cellist
Simon Walker, with the occasional additional session musician, to their live outfit and, although there are only three people on stage, they deliver an epic performance through the use of multi-layering and looping, reminiscent of
James Blake or Oh Wonder.
'Ataraxic' grows steadily with patient instrumentation reaching out and establishing a solid foundation for the duo's pensive vocals, bearing lyrics heavy with emotion. Gently progressing towards a climactic, orchestral finish, 'Ataraxic' is a quiet meditative tune offering a tender and compassionate approach to a difficult situation. 'Drop Everything' has a more upbeat and motivational drive to it. A lively piano melody and spirited vocals lead the way, soon joined by punchy percussion and a subterranean bass. An array of ethereal and surprising sonic embellishments are arranged across the track, immersing the listener in a dynamic soundscape and inviting them to drop the weight from their minds and just enjoy the journey.
"'Ataraxic' is a vulnerable ode to a friend who suffers with PTSD," says Stian and Abi, "It is meant to encourage and inspire them to keep fighting and pushing forward, and remind them that people are around them who love them and will hold them up when they are struggling to stand. Life is worth fighting for.
'Drop Everything' is of similar ilk to 'Ataraxic' in it´s meaning. It is written to remind a friend that they have people around them, but sometimes they spend too much time struggling alone and not opening up. The line "draw breath with me" in the chorus is the idea of being in a close relationship with that person, as close as breath. They have nothing to feel fearful of, support and love are around them and not judgement. "I'll drop everything" in the chorus is a reminder that they are worth so much more than the other stuff we fill our lives with."
Upcoming live performances:
February, March and April - Sofar
Sounds Leeds, Middlesborough, Newcastle, Southampton, Winchester, Bournemouth
13th March - Lepe Beach
20th March - Rownham´s House concert
16th May - Pilton Party Audition
22nd May - Lechlade Festival
2nd August - Sidmouth Fringe Sessions
15th August - Lakefest
22nd August - Rochdale Festival
29th August - Between The Trees Festival
