Friends Of The Stars
Friends of the Stars emerged in 2004 from the fated ashes of John Peel favourites The Toques. Principal members Anna Russell (vocals, keyboards), Craig Hamilton (vocals, guitars), Cam Docherty (guitars, vocals) and Phil Robinson (drums) hail from Birmingham, UK via Brighton, Northampton and Kilmarnock.
The 12 self-produced songs on the forthcoming 'Lighting & Electrical' album reflect the band's diverse tastes and influences, from the looping guitar spirals of epic opener Dragonfly to the featherlight touch of the heart-stopping country ballad Old Souls.
Friends of the Stars share out song-writing and vocal duties, with Anna's awesome, soaring voice on its own or complimenting Craig or Cam's more weather-beaten tones.
Other friends from the Birmingham music scene have helped out on the record including Del Carter from the marvellous Mexicolas playing bass and Sophia Johnson from Trio Gitano providing some wonderful touches on the dobro.
Lighting and Electrical has been mixed by Beth McGowan and new tracks will be added here over time until the album's release in July. Beth has done an amazing job and kindly lent her ears and skillz to FotS out of the goodness of her heart. We are very grateful and know we're lucky to have her.
Their are currently several remixes of tracks in production, and one of the first is here. Rob Hyde and Lee Andrews have contributed a great remix of Cam's "Sharpening a Blade". Look out for more in the meantime from TeaTowel, Mike Stokes(Bentley Rhythm Ace), x[isgreaterthany]y....plus a few more who are currently umming and ahhing and that.
