Preview: “Conduit” and Tour By Funeral For A Friend

UK headline dates announced for 2013 including intimate dates at Bournemouth’s Sound Circus & Portsmouth, Wedgewood Rooms and new album “Conduit” set for release 28th January, 2013.

Having recently announced the forthcoming release of the sixth studio album of their formidable career, Funeral For A Friend have now unveiled the first single to be taken from “Conduit”. The track, “Best Friends And Hospital Beds”, revolves around themes of friendship and death with the accompanying music video (directed by Ryan Mackfall) set in a bleak and derelict landscape. The single will be released on 12th November following the band’s appearance at the now sold out Vans Warped Tour UK date at London’s Alexandra Palace on 10th November.

As ever, Funeral For A friend remain dedicated to playing live shows on a level that will continually connect with their loyal fans and so have announced an extensive 23 date run of intimate shows across the UK and Ireland in support of “Conduit” for the new year. Joining the band on these dates are the excellent Such Gold and Daytrader from the US. Opening the tour will be newly crowned Red Bull Bedroom Jam 2012 champions, I Divide, who earned their place on the tour and Red Bull Bedroom Jam victory after 10 months of impressive performances at UK festivals, ceaseless self-promotion and a blazing performance at the Bedroom Jam live final. Tour tickets will also be available for pre-order this Friday and will be on general sale on Monday 15th October from all the usual ticketing outlets. Anyone who buys a ticket to a show on the tour will receive a coupon to get the new album at a reduced price.

“Conduit” will be available for pre-order this Friday 12th October. All pre-orders of the album will include an exclusive live CD of the band’s 2011 headline performance at the Roundhouse which you won’t be able to get anywhere else. The album will be available on CD, digital, 12 inch (including download link), and a special boxset including a signed poster, t-shirt, exclusive hand written making of booklet and cassette.Funeral For A Friend’s “Conduit” is the follow-up to 2011’s critically acclaimed ëWelcome Home Armageddoní, an album which saw the band approach their music with renewed vigour following the addition of new members Gavin Burrough and Richard Boucher. “Conduit” also features the addition of drummer Pat Lundy (previously of Rise To Remain) following long-time drummer/vocalist Ryan Richards” departure earlier this year. With this album, the band was on a role in terms of how in tune they were with each other, even down to track running order and artwork ideas. Matt was sat at home replying to some people on Facebook when he came across artist Snowskull’s page. The fact that it’s Matthew Evans who actually used to be in FFAF right when they started out, made the aesthetic even more appealing to Matt he says “I called Kris and explained my idea and he felt the same way. Everyone did actually. It was really clear that this was perfect for the record. Kris had seen the piece we are using for the cover art and explained how he felt that worked with the album title and we all got it and thought it was perfect.”

“Conduit” is a tightly wound collection of tracks, again produced with Romesh Dodangoda, bursting with emotion and personal conflict but also full of commentary on the inner workings and experiences of an established band. The title track itself is about, as Davies-Kreye puts it, “the transcendental act of performing to an audience. It’s a major component of what this band is about and even though in the confines of a room, even though we’ve never met there’s this bond between us and the people through the music.” The album clocks in at not much longer than 30 minutes and “Conduit” definitely marks some changes for the band. However, Davies-Kreye matter of factly states “It wears its heart on its sleeve in terms of it representing the scene of music that spawned us. It’s not trying to be a rebirth or anything cheesy like that. It’s just honest and I hope that’s evident from those who listen to it. In my heart it would be rad for people to take these songs and love them as much as the others they love and come to a show on a tour and sing them as hard to us as we do to them. That would be beautiful.”

The tracklisting for “Conduit”;

1. Spine
2. Conduit
3. The Distance
4. Best Friends And Hospital Beds
5. Nails
6. Death Comes To Us All
7. Travelled
8. Grey
9. Sun-Less
10. Elements
11. High Castles

2013 tour dates

New music video for single “Best Friends And Hospital Beds”.

http://www.funeralforafriend.com